Finally, we were surprised how much brighter our teeth became in testing this product—we felt the kit more than earns its place on our list and is well worth its cost. We even think it may have been more effective than previous whitening treatments we've done in the past at the dentist's office. The bottom line is that this product can work, but only under certain circumstances. We think it’s best used for someone who wants to brighten their teeth for an event and doesn’t mind enduring some temporary abrasiveness or for someone who has pretty white teeth and wants to occasionally touch up their shade. Still, if you know your teeth are particularly sensitive, you can aim for a whitening product with 3 to 10 percent carbamide peroxide, says Dr. Izhaky.

Generally, though, Dr. Izhaky says strips are safe to use twice a day for up to two weeks for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Depending on the ingredient percentage, she adds, gels can be used for one to two hours per day for two weeks as well. We did notice some long-term discomfort over time, though, possibly because we felt like it was pretty abrasive. That created something of a catch-22 for us in testing—when we used the toothpaste, it whitened our teeth a couple of shades, but when we stopped using the toothpaste (because of sensitivity), we noticed that our teeth began yellowing and staining again almost immediately. The product felt like we needed to use it every single day to maintain an improved and brighter teeth shade. However, it noticeably caused teeth sensitivity that discouraged us from using it every day. When compiling our list, we also consulted three dental professionals to learn exactly how teeth whiteners work and get their advice on how to use them. These experts included:

Rapid White Advantages

Whitening strips can be a messy, awkward affair, but the Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth could not have been easier for us to use. The strips went on and came off without any trouble and didn’t cause any pain, stinging, or sensitivity during or after use. And they worked, too—we were able to see a noticeable difference as soon as we took the first strip off our teeth and felt confident that the results would keep improving from there (with this particular kit, you’re directed to use the strips for 28 days). If you have had enough of trying to whiten your teeth with gel and mouth trays this Blue Light Tooth Whitening System could be what you have been looking for. Rapid White Easy to use, safe and convenient, the Rapid White Blue Light is designed to be used in your own home with the minimum of fuss. Before you start, clean your teeth carefully with the Rapid White Whitening Toothpaste. Then squeeze a small quantity of Rapid White Whitening Gel into the pre-formed dental trays.

UK mainland only. Surcharges apply to the following locations The Channel Islands & Isles of Scilly Throughout the testing, we considered whether we were able to apply the product and go about our day as usual, how much whiter our teeth were from start to finish, whether we experienced any sensitivity, and if we thought the kit was an overall good value based on its retail price and the results it delivered. Overall, the whitening results were significant enough to make us recommend this product as a good choice, especially since it didn’t cause any pain or discomfort and is priced within the average range for a whitening kit. Given how much we know professional whitening costs, and remembering the pain and sensitivity we've had with other whitening products in the past, we absolutely think this is worth the price and the inconvenience for a couple of weeks.Initially, we couldn’t leave the tray in for the recommended 15 minutes because it was so uncomfortable. But over time, we did get used to it. The best part was that our teeth whitened. Even though we only left it in for about eight minutes, our teeth went up a full shade. It hurt, but the pain was worth it in our eyes. We also started with the highest concentration possible, which we wouldn’t recommend if you have sensitive teeth or have never whitened your teeth before (in that case, you may want to start with the lowest concentration and work your way up from there). For true whitening success, you need to know what type of whitening kit to use and whether or not whitening products are safe for you. Experts recommend avoiding whitening products altogether if you have gum or mouth disease, untreated tooth decay, or significantly worn enamel. If a specialist has given you the green light to begin using at-home whitening products, you can select the right product based on ingredients and price. In addition to having effective ingredients like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the best product for you will fit into your routine and budget. Running online only, the better than half price offers have been launched by Boots to help shoppers get ready for socialising this summer, but they're only available until the 18th May. However, if you see PAP (or phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid) on the ingredient label, steer clear. The dentists we spoke to said this ingredient is not recommended for whitening at all due to reports of lingering sensitivity. Hydrogen peroxide, when used correctly as a whitening agent, shouldn't cause lingering sensitivity. Step two of the process is to attach the polish head; this is a circular rubber tipped head. Personally for me I found this part quite pointless- it’s a step I could quite easily leave out and be okay with. With the polishing head there was no noticeable difference to my teeth compared with the result after step one with the cleaning head; I felt like step one did all the real work. Rapid White Pro Clean & Polish System Results

Pens deposit much less product onto your teeth, so can be used more frequently, but you should still aim for one to two applications per day (and limit use to one or two weeks at a time or as needed). Trays are commonly recommended for up to 30 minutes, and light kits are usually left in place for shorter periods of time, often less than 10 minutes. The duration for both varies but is usually no more than two or three weeks in total. Step one of the process is to attach the cleaning head to the toothbrush body and clean each tooth carefully in turn. In use, I actually found it difficult to clean one tooth at a time without the brush slipping as it has a narrow head, therefore I’d recommend using the toothbrush with both hands for precision and control. If you’re like me you’ll need to be careful around your gum line as bleeding can occur with a slip of your hand, although this should get better as your gum health and technique improves with regular use. The cleaning brush with its narrow head makes it really practical to get into those hard to reach places that a normal toothbrush would miss. Before you start, clean your teeth carefully. Then squeeze a small quantity of Rapid White Whitening Gel into the pre-formed dental trays.

Pharmacy product

GLO Brilliant® White Smile At Home Teeth Whitening Device: Our teeth were much brighter after using this kit in testing, but the 24 minutes we had to spend walking around with an awkward device in our mouth make this a fairly inconvenient option, especially compared to less bulky competitor trays.