COTTNY Teethaid Mouthwash, Calculus Removal, Teeth Whitening, Healing Mouth, Aid Saltdays Whitening Foam Toothpaste, Nature Mousse Oral Care, Refresh The Breath (1PCS), 30.0 millilitre

Product Information

Using teeth whitening kits at home is safe, provided the ingredients don't exceed the maximum percentage allowed. Other ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium perborate, activated charcoal or even coconut oil offer a more natural alternative, although these are usually considered less effective, as they mainly only remove surface stains. Teeth whitening products aim to remove surface stains on the tooth and penetrate the enamel, to break down the discoloured molecules within. This leaves teeth looking whiter overall. The solutions often contain active bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which remove the deeper stains from your teeth. If you have just one tooth that’s duller than the rest, or you fancy a really convenient, on-the-go option, try this pen. It aims to target and dissolve stains, rather than just cover them up.

Note that some salons may offer teeth whitening but this is illegal if not performed by a qualified dental professional. If you have any doubts, the NHS recommends visiting a dentist to talk about your options. Let's face it, Brits haven’t always had a great reputation when it comes to a Hollywood smile. Those daily cups of tea (or coffee or red wine), can take their toll, staining your teeth, and sometimes even the most diligent brushing routine can't undo it.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. Aiming to leave your teeth 10 shades whiter in just one week, this kit did a great job at brightening in our lab test, leaving our testers with a whiter smile.

Professional whitening may seem like the best option, but with treatments starting in the hundreds, it’s also expensive. Enter the best teeth whitening kits that promise to help restore your pearly whites for a fraction of the price.The kits often contain a whitening gel formula, plastic tray (to insert into the mouth) and an LED light, which helps to speed up the whitening process. Whitening strips or pens, on the other hand, already contain the formula so can be applied directly to the teeth. Some strips dissolve on the teeth, but most can be removed and disposed of after use. Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental, explains: "Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid with strong oxidising properties, meaning it steals the electrons that hold the staining molecules together, causing them to fall apart. It will change the colour of your teeth, rather than simply removing surface stains. Carbamide peroxide is another similar ingredient." The vanilla mint flavour of this vegan formula was a hit with our panel, while the simple brush applicator made it a handbag essential.

In the UK, teeth whitening kits can be bought over the counter but only if they contain less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. This means they aren't as strong as professional whitening treatments, as a qualified dentist can legally use up to 6% hydrogen peroxide. We asked 318 testers to try a range of teeth whitening products at home. We then asked a proportion of them to visit our lab where we took pictures of their teeth before and after treatment using our VISIA Complexion analyser. With a whiteness scale, we were then able to determine any difference in shade before and after treatment. Each product will come with its own instructions but in general you should see results at least two weeks after routine use, with top-ups usually required every six months.

Claiming to remove deep-rooted stains and restore natural whiteness, this treatment includes a brightener serum, tooth polish and a whitening activator serum that can all be applied with your regular toothbrush.