The best teeth whitening kits & natural alternatives for an A-list pearly white smile
If there's one thing we've learnt from reality stars and A-listers, it's that you can't be in the spotlight without a megawatt smile. And with many of us wondering how to get those pearly celebrity whites, we've decided to put some of the most popular methods of teeth whitening kits to the test.
From an organic DIY charcoal paste, to whitening strips, blue lights and even a £750 session at the dentist, these are the most effective ways to whiten your teeth and avoid a Ross from Friends-esque disaster.
We asked celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques at , the man responsible for the pearly whites of Rita Ora and Binky Felstead, everything you need to know about the process.
So, how does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening works by lightening teeth from the inside out. The whitening solution usually contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (although some methods do use other agents such as sodium perborate but these are generally considered less effective).
The peroxide solutions basically bleaches or whitens the enamel, which is the outer covering of the tooth, and the dentine, which is the inside of the tooth. When both the enamel and dentine are bleached or whitened you get a much improved colour of the teeth that is usually sustained well for the long term.
Do at-home teeth whitening treatments also use hydrogen peroxide?
Clinics use hydrogen peroxide as well as home kits. Home kits can only use very very low levels of peroxide which is why they are not that effective. In clinic we are allowed to use higher concentrations as they are administered by a dentist, which gets much better results.
Is the legal amount of hydrogen peroxide able to be used in teeth whitening products in the UK lower than it is in America? How does this effect results?
In UK (due to EU regulations) we use a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution (or up to 16% Carbamide Peroxide Solution as this is 3 to 1 of hydrogen peroxide so under 6% Hydrogen peroxide contained in 16% Carbamide Peroxide). In USA they can use 25% or more of hydrogen peroxide, however this can burn gums and cause sensitivity. These effects can be permanent so the teeth whitening in America is much more high-risk.
Does LED light treatment actually work?
The whitening lamps used in clinic are of a very high grade so get very good effects but the LED lights at home are generally not of the same quality. The whitening lights activate theses whitening gels so it is important to have a good one. You can now buy at-home mini LED teeth whitening kits like the Hi Smile offering, which we reviewed here.
Will it make my teeth sensitive?
People with sensitive teeth can have their teeth whitened but are advised to use a desensitising paste first (like Sensodyne or Colgate pro-sensitive). The whitening does not damage the teeth but can cause teeth sensitivity (which is non-permanent). The desensitising toothpastes help to reduce or eliminate any teeth or nerve sensitivity from the whitening gels.
Teeth Whitening
I tried swilling coconut oil in my mouth for whiter teeth and couldn't believe what happened
How white will my teeth go?
You would generally expect to see an improvement of 5-10 shades (on the teeth workout chart) from teeth whitening involving an in-clinic treatment.
Will teeth whitening get rid of stains?
Yes but it is important to have stained teeth cleaned first by a dentist or Hygienist. If this is not done, the whitening gel will not be able to work fully and you could be compromising your results.
Are there any natural alternatives?
Some people swear by swilling coconut oil for whiter teeth or use activated charcoal in an attempt to remove stains. And while both can produce minor results, hydrogen peroxide is the most effective method.
What are the best teeth whitening kits?
We've answered that one for you, here are our top picks...
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Best Whitening Toothpastes and MouthwashesThe method: By far the easiest way to get a head start on your pearly whites. This off-the-counter option is a budget hero that delivers results over time, but most importantly cares for your dental hygiene. The way toothpastes and mouthwashes work to brighten your smile is by employing polishers and abrasives that will remove surface stains and lighten discolouration (like dark spots), combined with gentle chemical bleaching agents to whiten. The new , also contains 'optic brighteners', which reflect blue light to make your teeth look instantly whiter. Kind of like how purple toning shampoo eliminates brassy tones and brightens blonde hair.
The results: Let us stress again: *gentle* chemical bleaching agents – otherwise you wouldn't be able to use them every day – so a toothpaste and a mouthwash will never get you a Hollywood-white smile. But they will help remove stains, giving the illusion of a whiter smile and keeping your mouth healthy. So it's a good idea to use these as continued treatments before and after other whitening methods.
Product suggestions: Listerine Advanced White, £5.60, ; Janina Ultrawhite Whitening Toothpaste, £11.50, , Colgate Max White Expert Complete Whitening £6, .
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Best Whitening Strips
The method: Strips are the next step up from toothpaste, but can still easily be done at home. Strips are pre-coated in a gel that can contain between 1-10% hydrogen peroxide, and should be applied to dry teeth and left for up to an hour. Strips tend to have stronger whitening agents in them than toothpaste, and therefore should only be used every two weeks.
The results: While a whitening toothpaste will produce gradual results, strips have a more noticeable effect with a slight difference before and after use (especially the very first time you use them). When used in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste, you'll see the best results.
Product suggestions: Spotlight Teeth Whitening Strips, £40, Crest 3D Professional Effects Whitestrips, £49.73, . Read our review of the Crest strips here.
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Best Whitening Gels
The method: Now we're crossing into professional territory. Although you might have heard that 'a friend of friend' bought the gel syringes and did it all at home, we strongly advise you to pay a visit to the dentist before trying this method. Here's why: while the whitening strips get great results, the gels can really give you that super white smile. Simply because strips contain 1% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide (the main whitening agent on all these products), while the gels can go up to 35% - yep, quite impressive.
And because just applying the gel onto your teeth, may cause irritation to the gums and unwanted whiter spots, you should have a tray made specifically for you - an online-bought ill-fitting tray can cause the same problems. So visit your dentist, they'll be able to tailor make a tray for you and administrate the gel percentage you should be using.
The results: The closer you'll get to an A-list worthy smile without paying the price of a professional Hollywood whitening treatment at the dentist's office. The treatment is done overnight for about a week or two, and may cause sensitivity. Bonus points for the long-lasting results (we're talking years people, years!).
Product suggestions: It is a known fact that the best whitening gels are not sold wholesale, but you can find products online if you already have your tray and just want a top-up.
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Best Whitening Lights
The method: We've said the good, the bad and the 'take my money' right? This is the bad. Well, not necessarily bad, but these are pretty useless. You've probably seen this whitening lights all over Instagram - and while the Kardashians-Jenners might be promoting it, you shouldn't be fooled. UV lights are usually used in dentist offices to speed the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide during whitening treatments - so for starters, the light has no function whatsoever by itself. Most recently, a study published in the Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice stated that using a "blue light with a wave length between 480 nm and 520 nm," to activate the peroxide had "no real added benefit". Sooo, yeah, total myth.
The results: When the correct wave length is used at a dentist office it can accelerate the whitening process, but by itself it has no use whatsoever.
Product suggestions: None.
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Best Professional Whitening
The method: Aaaaah the white glove treatment! Do you really think celebrities use at-home kits every night? No, no they don't. This is a one stop shop (at the dentists office) with a starting price of £500 - yes, you've read that right. Overall, in clinic treatments will always be more effective than at-home ones: "Because the level of whitening agents is greatly reduced in kits like strips and gels. In clinic treatments can be tailored to your needs; if one tooth is significantly darker than others this can be targeted and brought up to a same colour as the others" - says Tim Bradstock-Smith, from The London Smile Clinic. In other words, your smile will be worthy of its price tag.
The results: A-list worthy and what we like most about this one: it's instantaneous! You won't have to wait to see progress or continue with the treatment for weeks. You just have to walk in and walk out of the dentist's office, 30 minutes (to an hour) later.
Product suggestions: The London Smile Clinic's brilliant Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment is £795 at The London Smile Clinic, Ground Floor East, 40-44 Clipstone Street, London W1W 5DW. Call 020 7255 2559 or visit for more information.
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Best Charcoal Teeth Whitening
The method: Charcoal is by far our favourite - and the most trendy - way of whitening teeth. DIY a whitening toothpaste by buying activated charcoal from your local health food store or pharmacy. As it is usually sold in tablets you can grind up one or two, and mix it with enough water to form a dense paste, which you will use to brush your teeth with for at least three minutes. Rinse and then brush your teeth normally with your usual toothpaste. You can also just buy ready-to-use charcoal formulas and toothpastes.
The results: Subtle, but definitely more visible than your regular whitening toothpaste & mouthwash. We love that the results are quick and organic.
Product suggestions: Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £20.99, ; Teeth Whitening Activated Charcoal Powder 100% Natural, £9.99, ; Ecodenta Extra Black Whitening Toothpaste with Black Charcoal & Teavigo, £4.99, ; Procoal Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £9.99,
