Bright teeth are the key to a healthy smile. They can help you feel more confident and positive about yourself, and they can even make you seem more attractive.
Unfortunately, not everyone has naturally bright pearly whites. Some people have stains and discoloration that make their smiles look dull and dingy. These types of stains are caused by a variety of factors: genetics, diet, smoking and drinking habits, medications and some medical conditions.
Read on to learn more about How To Use Mr Bright Teeth Whitening, Moon Teeth Whitening Pen Target
How To Use Mr Bright Teeth Whitening
With options for every lifestyle and budget, these are the best teeth whitening kits to buff up those pearly whites at home. Image: Philips.
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As technology and trends develop, what was once only offered in salons for those with a hefty disposable income is now available in our homes for a fraction of the cost.
There are plenty of teeth whitening kits on the market that allow you to get bright pearly whites within days without you even needing to get dressed.
BEST TEETH-WHITENING KITS
At-home kits come in a variety of methods. These include, but are not limited to, strips that you place directly onto your teeth, mouthguards that are filled with a gel, whitening pens and powders that you brush onto your teeth. Here we round up the best for you to try:
BEST LED TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Mr Bright Whitening Charcoal Kit With LED, Adore Beauty, $64.95
Mr Bright Whitening Charcoal Kit with LED. Image: Adore Beauty.
This vegan teeth whitening kit harnesses the power of activated charcoal combined with an LED light. The charcoal will help to remove stains from the surface of your teeth and toxins from your gums, while the blue LED light activates the whitening agents in the formula.
How to use: Attach the LED light to the front of the mouth tray and clip into position. Apply one quarter of the gel from a tube into the mouth tray – just enough to coat your teeth and not your gums. Place the tray into your mouth, switch the light on, and allow the unit to count down from 10 minutes (you can repeat this three to four times per sitting). Afterwards, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water and clean the mouth tray.
BEST OVERALL TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Opalescence GO 6% Hydrogen Peroxide Pre-Loaded Teeth Whitening Trays, Amazon Australia, $119.99
Opalescence GO 6% Hydrogen Peroxide Pre-Loaded Teeth Whitening Trays. Image: Amazon Australia.
This is my absolute favourite at-home teeth whitening kit on the market. A dentist recommended it to me years ago and I haven’t looked back. I use it maybe once or twice a year now and love the results. The pack comes with 10 mouthguards for both top and bottom teeth.
The 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide formula is a gel which also contains fluoride, tooth desensitisers and soothers. This means it reduces sensitivity and works to strengthen enamel – as well as leaving teeth bright and white. It’s mint in flavour which I quite enjoyed but you can get a melon flavoured one too.
I do find that my teeth get a little sensitive over the treatment period – I can’t have anything too sweet but apart from that I find them to be really comfortable to wear.
The packaging suggests you can get results within five days and I can attest to that. My teeth are shades whiter after use but not too much that it looks unnatural. I often get complimented on my teeth.
Handy hint: Since when I smile you can only really see my top teeth, I use the bottom mouthguards on the top as well which extends the amount of treatments I have in a single pack.
Opalescence GO is made by the same manufacturers as Opalescence PF, Boost and Treswhite Supreme and they have been in the market for over 20 years which gave me a good feeling for quality assurance.
How to use: You refrigerate the trays between uses but get them to room temperature before popping one into your mouth. You leave the whitening formula on for 60-90 minutes and use them consecutively for 10 days. During treatment time you are to avoid food that could colour your teeth like coffee, tea and red wine.
BEST VEGAN TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Smilie Teeth Whitening Kit, Smilie, $119
Smilie Teeth Whitening Kit
Developed with dental-grade ingredients, this teeth whitening method uses a vegan whitening gel in a pen form along with LED technology to gradually whiten teeth safely without pain or sensitivity. Each kit comes complete with an LED light mouth tray, USB charging cable, three whitening pens and instructions. The best part? They offer a 30-day smile guarantee.
How to use: You apply the gel via the pen to each tooth, brushing evenly, before plugging in the whitening light into your phone’s charging port. Place the light into your mouth for 16 minutes, then rinse off. Use everyday for six days, and up to 14 days depending on how white you want your teeth to go.
ActiveWow 24K White Premium Teeth Whitening Kit, iHerb, $39.99
ActiveWow 24K White Premium Teeth Whitening Kit
One of the top sellers for teeth whitening kits on iHerb, this ActiveWow set features light-activated technology delivered by a handy ergonomic tool you hold in your mouth for ten to twenty minutes per session. It’s also easy to apply the gel as the kit comes with teeth moulding trays. With thirty uses per box, the cost is super affordable and while the kit is maximum strength in formula, it is still low sensitivity from a dental grade perspective.
BEST TEETH WHITENING PEN
Mr. Bright Whitening Pen, Catch, $24.46
Mr. Bright Teeth Whitening Pen
Extremely handy and easy to use, the Mr. Bright teeth whitening pen is designed to be used in 30 seconds and effective in ten minutes, making it a great option for busy people rushing out the door every morning. Using natural sodium bicarbonate as its whitening ingredient, and cranberry extract to help dissolve plaque, this is a mighty whitening tool in a handy, take-anywhere container.
How to use: Ensure teeth are clean and dry, then twist pen to dispense gel, brush a thin layer onto each tooth while avoiding your gum line, and wear for 10-30 minutes.
BEST NATURAL TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Love Beauty Foods Teeth Whitener, THE ICONIC, $19.95
Love Beauty Foods Teeth Whitener
For those wanting to take the organic route, this is a good option. Plastic and preservative-free, thee product uses natural ingredients such as activated coconut charcoal, which is an absorbent that pulls toxins from your mouth including stains on your teeth; calcium bentonite clay, which works to bind to and draw out toxins in your mouth; and lemon myrtle, which cleanses and protects the mouth.
One reviewer wrote: “Have always had discoloured teeth and none of the white strips etc worked anymore. This has worked amazingly. Unlike the other reviewers I would say it took a couple of months to see a change but it’s a big change and I’m absolutely thrilled.”
How to use: This isn’t a one-off solution, it’s more of a daily ritual. Two to three times a week, you add the Smile Dust by dipping the ends of your toothbrush bristles into the dust and gently brushing your teeth for five minutes, paying attention to yellowed areas.
BEST TEETH WHITENING TOOTHBRUSH
Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Electric Toothbrush, $499
Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Electric Toothbrush
If you’re looking to invest in overall dental health, an electric toothbrush could be the key to both whiter teeth and a better clean each morning and evening. This Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige brush features sensor technology to alert you on a myriad of teeth brushing mistakes, such as pressing too hard or missing spots. On the whitening front, it promises to remove stains in less than two days, thanks to its triangular tips.
How to use: The brush connects to an app on your phone, helping you through the correct brushing method. Interchangeable brush heads also mean you can get different results.
BEST TEETH-WHITENING KIT FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
Philips Zoom 6% Day White Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel Complete Kit, Amazon, $115
Philips Zoom 6% Day White Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel Complete Kit. Image: Amazon Australia.
Philips Zoom is the number one requested teeth whitening brand, with studies showing it’s safe and effective. The whitening gel found in this kit is made with Philip’s ACP Sensitivity Relief formula, making it ideal for those who have sensitive teeth yet still want professional results.
The kit includes six 2.4 gram 6% Day Nite White dual barrel whitening gel syringes, enough for 18 upper and lower treatments; one mouth tray case; one spa zipper bag, ideal for overnight stays; a shade guide, and instructions.
How to use: Take the syringe and place one to two drops of gel in each tooth compartment in the tray. Place the tray with gel in your mouth. Wear for 30 to 90 minutes. You can achieve results of up to eight shades whiter in one to two weeks of consistent usage.
QUICKEST TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Plus White 5 Minute Premier Whitening System, iHerb, $16.97
Plus White 5 Minute Premier Whitening System. Image: iHerb.
Time poor? Then this is the solution for you. This peroxide-based whitening system works from the first application and only requires you to use it for five minutes. Coming in at just over $15, it’s also the most affordable solution on the list. Many reviewers are also amazed at how gentle the formula is on teeth and gums.
How to use: Place a small amount of Plus White Speed Whitening Gel into both sides of the mouth tray and carefully insert it into your mouth. Leave in for five minutes for regular whitening (for badly stained or yellow teeth, allow 15 to 20 minutes). Rinse mouth several times with cool water before swishing a capful – about a teaspoon – of Plus White StainGuard Rinse in mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and rinse out. Easy, hey?
According to instructions, best results will occur when you use Plus White Whitening Gel twice daily for two weeks. You can maintain this white shade by using once or twice a week. Do not use consecutively for more than 14 days.
BEST CELEBRITY-ENDORSED TEETH-WHITENING KIT
Moon Kendall Jenner Whitening Pen, Beauty Bay, $35.95
Moon Kendall Jenner Whitening Pen. Image: Beauty Bay.
Kendall Jenner co-created (and swears by) the product. Image: Beauty Bay.
Moon is one of the hottest brands in the oral care space at the moment. Thanks to it’s vegan and cruelty-free formulas, it has all the cool kids flocking to it – including model Kendall Jenner who helped to co-create the brand’s best-selling Teeth Whitening Pen.
Famous moniker aside, the pen has been applauded for delivering whitening results while being easy and convenient without burning or irritating teeth.
Created with a blend of lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract and honeysuckle flower extract, the formula has a vanilla mint flavour and can be used for short and long-term teeth brightening.
How to use: Remove the cap and click the button on the end of the pen until the whitening gel dispenses. Smile and brush a thin layer onto teeth.
For best results, use it twice a day for two weeks, waiting 30 seconds before closing your mouth after applying, and 10 to 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
While using the treatment avoid coffee, tea, cigarettes, or other substances that may impact the whitening effect.
Moon also stocks an Activated Charcoal Fluoride Free Whitening Toothpaste and a Stain Removal Fluoride Free Whitening Toothpaste.
OTHER TEETH WHITENING PENS TO TRY:
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth White Pen. Image: Beauty Bay.
Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pen. Image: Amazon Australia.
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth White Pen, Beauty Bay, $26.95
Formulated with hydrogen peroxide to dissolve hard-to-remove stains, this easy-to-use whitening pen was conceived by dentists – so you know it can be trusted. Vegan and cruelty-free, its intuitive and slim design means you’re able to pop it in your bag and go. Plus, coming in at a mere $25, its excellent value for money.
Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pen, Amazon Australia, $19.99
“Really amazed at how clever this whitening pen worked, no bad taste, easy to use, and definite results my teeth were whiter after first application, noticeably so,” one five-star review starts. “You won’t be disappointed if you purchase a great product also no sensitivity that can occur with some whiteners … winner.”
Formulated with Carbamide Peroxide to gently yet effectively combat the 16 most common causes of staining – including coffee, tea, wine and smoking – this highly-rated whitening pen promises whiter teeth after only 30 seconds of use a day.
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Whitening toothpastes, toothbrushes and mouthwashes are lower in effectiveness than other types of whiteners, however they are useful for surface stains and to help maintain those pearly whites once you’ve done an at-home kit.
BEST WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
Colgate Optic White High Impact White Teeth Whitening Toothpaste with Hydrogen Peroxide, Amazon Australia, $10
Colgate Optic White High Impact White Teeth Whitening Toothpaste with Hydrogen Peroxide. Image: Amazon Australia.
“Initially I received a tube of this to try out in exchange for an honest review. But once that tube was gone, I purchased this two pack. Because it’s PHENOMENAL!,” one enthused reviewer wrote. “I’m a habitual coffee drinker (three cups a day average), and this toothpaste has whitened my teeth better than any product I’ve used before. The taste is pleasant without being overbearing, and I haven’t experienced any tooth or gum sensitivity from using it.”
If those glowing words haven’t convinced you to swap out your toothpaste just yet, consider that this highly-rated toothpaste contains twice the whitening ingredient that most dentists use when you’re in their chair; and after six weeks, has been found to whiten teeth by four shades.
BEST WHITENING MOUTHWASH
Colgate Optic White Alcohol Free Whitening Mouthwash with Optic Brightener, Amazon Australia, $3.49
Colgate Optic White Alcohol Free Whitening Mouthwash with Optic Brightener. Image: Amazon Australia.
Promising whiter teeth after just one rinse, you really have nothing to lose by dropping three dollars on this mouthwash. Formulated with an optic brightener that is activated as you rinse your mouth, this mouthwash reflects light, making your teeth look instantly brighter. Find it hard to believe? This five-star review, titled “Genuine product”, finds it useful for maintaining their whitened teeth – “It’s good for whitening or rinse out after drinking red wine to prevent staining”.
HOW DO AT-HOME TEETH WHITENING KITS WORK?
When it comes to at-home teeth whitening, the most common whitening agent is hydrogen peroxide – which is found in the majority of kits (think brands like Opalescence, Philips Zoom and Crest).
It works by penetrating the enamel to cause a colour change by removing both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. It is safe and one of the common ingredients used by dentists themselves. Note: according to Australian Dental Industry Association fact sheets, non-registered dental professionals are not allowed to administer any peroxide based whitening product greater than six per cent hydrogen peroxide.
Brands like Mr Bright and Moon harness natural products such as activated charcoal, baking soda and peppermint oil. These ingredients work to bind and draw out toxins, helping breakdown stains. These are great alternatives for those who prefer a natural approach or have more sensitive teeth.
ARE AT-HOME WHITENING KITS EFFECTIVE?
With at-home whitening kits you can start to see results within a couple of days, but it’s good to remember it’s all about consistency and following the instructions to truly see improvements.
Dentists also advise that good dental hygiene is important to the maintenance of keeping teeth healthy and white. The Australian Dental Association fact sheets recommends brushing teeth for two to three minutes at least two times a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Flossing is also an essential part of your oral health care routine. Regular check ups and cleans with your dentists can also help remove external stains. Drink lots of water and follow a healthy diet can also help keep teeth white. Always seek professional advice if you experience any issues.
WHY DO TEETH GO YELLOW?
The Australian Dental Association fact sheets explain that “teeth naturally begin to turn yellower and darker as we get older. The things we do in our everyday lives, like consuming certain foods and beverages contribute to the discolouration of our teeth. Tea, coffee, and red wine are often blamed as the main culprits, but in reality even a healthy diet will result in some staining”.
WHAT OTHER WHITENING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Along with at-home whitening kits which we discussed in depth above, you can also seek professional whitening from your dentist. “Dentists are allowed to use a higher concentration of bleach than you are at home, and often offer ‘in-chair’ whitening at the dental practice,” explains the Australian Dental Association. “This involves painting your teeth with stronger bleach and activating it using an ultraviolet light or a laser, often with immediate results.”
Moon Teeth Whitening Pen Target
Kendall Jenner’s Moon, Colgate and even a formula masterminded by top dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye – all the biggest players in oral care are launching smile-brightening pens
There’s nothing like a video call to make you notice the minutiae of your face. One of the areas we’ve become most fixated on? Our teeth, according to research collected by the Oral Health Foundation and orthodontics company Alight Technology.
The survey of more than 2000 British adults in April 2021, found that online video calls changed the way 58 per cent of us see our smile with a third of respondents now more aware of the colour of our teeth.
Leading dentist Dr Rhona Eskander , also an ambassador for Waterpik , has revealed she’s seen a 40 per cent surge in enquiries for cosmetic dentistry treatments at her practice – the Chelsea Dental Clinic – since the start of the pandemic.
It seems product innovators are catching on, too, as the global teeth whitening market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of six per cent over the next five years, according to a report published by Aritzon industry analysts.
Joining the army of traditional stain-sloughing toothpastes and at-home teeth whitening strips is a new wave of teeth whitening pens. The paint-on formulas are a cross between the two – more ‘leave on’ than toothpaste but less messy than a strip. We’re not talking Tipp-Ex for your teeth but discolouration-busting formulas that can help counteract the effects of your three-a-day coffee addiction.
Kendall Jenner’s Moon Teeth Whitening Pen was one of the first to land with a bang last year, quickly followed by Spotlight Oral Care – a brand developed by two Irish dentist sisters and loved by the likes of Vogue Williams . Even oral care stalwart Colgate has given its Max Overnight whitening pen, launched last month, a beauty-led twist, promising to brighten teeth while you snooze.
How do they compare to other forms of teeth whitening? Top dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye puts them in context for us.
“In terms of potency, professional in-clinic treatment is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of teeth whitening followed by at-home whitening strips, pens, then toothpastes,” she says.
“Think of whitening pens as an on-the-spot solution that can be performed on the go, whether it’s on their own or to maintain the results of a professional whitening treatment. Unlike strips, toothpastes or whitening trays, these pens offer a targeted approach – for example, allowing you to brighten up your canines, that are often darker, in line with your front teeth,” Dr Uchenna , who has 27 years of experience in the field.
Here, we reveal how the latest formulas get to work, the ingredients to make a beeline for and our pick of the pens that really make a difference.
What to look for in a teeth whitening pen
Head to TikTok and you’ll find a staggering 60.4 million videos tagged #teethwhiteningpen – mostly comprised of incredible 60-second transformations on pen-wielding Americans. But Dr Uchenna, who is director of London Smiling dental clinics , sounds a note of caution. Camera filters aside, what you can buy in the US may be much stronger than what’s available in your local Boots.
“Rules on hydrogen peroxide – the gold standard bleaching agent – are significantly different in the UK versus the US, ” she explains. “In America there are few restrictions regarding the sale of dental products whereas here, the legal limit of hydrogen peroxide in over-the-counter products is 0.1 per cent. In comparison to professional dental whitening treatments – which use up to six per cent – that’s quite a nominal amount,” she comments.
It’s important to manage expectations. The golden rule of thumb for whitening pens in the UK is that like ‘whitening’ toothpastes, whitening pens are really only stain removers. They work on surface discolouration and can take your teeth one or two shades lighter compared with the five or six shades you can expect from a six per cent peroxide treatment from your dentist (who’ll need to check the health of your teeth and gums before you start).
Why don’t they market themselves as ‘stain removing pens’ in that case? Dr Uchenna Okoye wanted to use that very term in her own new pen but was told it wasn’t as sexy as ‘whitening’.
That’s not to say they don’t have a place. They are an accessible, easy-to-use and safe way to keep your teeth looking white. And according to Dr Uchenna pens are more effiective than ‘whitening’ toothpastes, as you don’t spit the formula out so it can spend time getting to work on your teeth. While it means pens can only really get to work on extrinsic staining of the enamel – caused by things like smoking, red wine and coffee – there’s none of the pain or sensitivity you can experience with professional whitening.
So, what ingredients should we actually be mainlining when selecting a teeth whitening pen?
“Most use agents – such as sodium bicarbonate – that brighten the teeth via oxidisation. This is a process that releases oxygen, which gets into the pores of your teeth and breaks away colour molecules so your teeth look whiter, ” says Dr Uchenna.
“The higher an ingredient appears on a product’s INCI list, the more concentrated it will be which, in this case, means it will release more oxygen and have a stronger whitening effect.
And what did Dr Uchenna put in her own pen?
“When formulating MySmile by Dr Uchenna Teeth Whitening Pen , I chose to use an ingredient called PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid), which works using the oxidisation process – because I knew I could safely include a higher concentration of it,” she explains.
As for her reason for omitting hydrogen peroxide entirely: “As a dentist, trust was the biggest thing for me when formulating my products. I wanted the formula to based truly on the science rather than for any marketing reasons,” she explains.
And what about pens that say they can be used with an LED light to boost the effects? “There’s no evidence to show these can make a difference,” Dr Uchenna comments.
Benefits of teeth whitening pens
Alongside the obvious convenience of these handbag-friendly formulas – and the fact you can selectively target certain teeth – they offer other added bonuses, too.
Some offer a minty breath-freshening effect while Dr Uchenna has incorporated mica into hers – a cosmetic ingredient that delivers an immediate pearlescent finish. Think lip gloss for your gnashers.
Pens also make it easy to avoid the gum line, making them more gentle if you’re prone to sensitivity or inflammation here.
How to use teeth whitening pens
Dr Uchenna advises using her pen every day for at least a week but there’s one step you really mustn’t miss in order to ensure you see results from whichever formula you choose.
“Make sure your teeth are dry when you apply your product so the saliva doesn’t wash everything away. Dab them with a tissue then after applying then sit there with a big grin for a minute or so – the longer, the better.
“If you have trays or aligners left from a professional whitening treatment or Invisalign, a good hack is to pop a few twists of your pen inside to ensure maximum contact and minimal saliva,” Dr Uchenna explains.
The bottom line – do they work?
Yes, providing you look for formulations containing the ingredients that are truly effective stain removers – that’s PAP, sodium bicarbonate and, to some extent, hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide. Just don’t expect a Hollywood-style transformation or the kind of dramatic results you might see on social media using stronger US formulas. We’re talking about the kind of brightening effect you’d get from a whitening toothpaste, only in a speedy and handbag-friendly format that allows you to easily target individual teeth, too.
The best teeth whitening pens
Colgate Max White Overnight Whitening Pen , £20 – best for whitening while you sleep
The spec: hydrogen peroxide and polymers to help the peroxide stick – leave on overnight
Claiming to reverse up to 15 years of discolouration in three weeks, the special weapon here are the polymers which do also make the gel feel a little thicker than some, although that’s not an issue when you’re asleep.
We can’t promise it will dramatically banish over a decade worth of Prosecco, Rioja and Starbucks but it’s seriously easy to slot into any evening beauty routine with no rinsing out required.
My Smile by Dr Uchenna Teeth Whitening Pen , £23.99 – best dentist formula
The spec: PAP and also mica (a mineral powder often used in shimmering makeup) to add instant polish – leave on
As an industry authority on all things teeth and a member of the American and British Academies of Cosmetic Dentistry, you can trust Dr Uchenna’s formulas to really deliver, with the science to back them up.
The toothpaste in her range – My Smile by Dr Uchenna Whitening Toothpaste , £17.99 – has already gained a loyal following, including Get the Gloss editorial director Victoria Woodhall who found this tool to be just as impressive.
“Along with a whitening effect, Dr Uchenna told me she wanted her formula to deliver a modern and non-greasy take on the age-old beauty trick of applying Vaseline to teeth to make them look more lustrous. That was a great bonus for helping me feel more polished ahead of a meeting or special occasion.”
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen , £14.99 – TikTok viral favourite
The spec: PAP and hydrogen peroxide – rinse off after five minutes
The brainchild of sisters and dentists Dr Lisa and Vanessa Creaven, this brand quickly gained a cult following here when it launched in 2016 before landing in the States last year.
This slick tool is the star of countless TikTok videos with people showing off their speedy ‘before’ and ‘afters,’ although the UK formula does differ from the US version. In line with the countries’ regulations, the pen you can buy here uses 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide versus the 6 per cent found in the same product sold in the States.
Designed to be left on for just five minutes at a time, it prides itself on the inclusion of hydrogen peroxide although PAP, again, is the real hard-worker.
Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen , £20 – best for value
The spec: urea peroxide and essential oils which claim to further brighten and add freshness, leave on
Few A-listers have teeth as white as the Kardashian-Jenner clan’s gazillion-dollar smiles. No wonder then, Kendall Jenner’s own at-home whitening tool took social media by storm when it hit Boots last year.
Our tester did notice a visible shift in brightness levels after finishing her first pen (like most, it lasts around a month) and told us she would repurchase.
Any stain removal action likely comes almost entirely from the urea peroxide (that works in the same way as hydrogen peroxide) since there’s limited clinical evidence to show low levels of lavender oil, honeysuckle and strawberry extract can deliver any brightening effect.
It’s also worth noting you get 2.65ml of gel inside rather than the standard 2ml in all the other products we tested (or 2.5ml in Colgate’s) making it better value for money.
vVardis Aletsch Instant Healthy Teeth Whitening Gel , £118 – best eco choice and instant whitener
The spec: a patented formula using hydroxyapatite that also instantly blurs away white and yellow spots, leave on
From an award-winning tech-driven brand founded by two Swiss dentist sisters, and big on sustainability, this comes in the form of a little inkwell-like pot and wooden-handled brush with minimal plastic, rather than a pen.
The product itself is pretty unique, too. After years of research, founders Dr Haley and Golnar Abivardi concluded hydroxyapatite was the safest and most effective whitening agent. (Dr Uchenna is a fan of the ingredient, too, having used it in her range’s whitening toothpaste for its enamel-strengthening powers).
The problem with hydroxyapatite? It doesn’t easily adhere to the teeth. Yet the pair found a way of combatting this problem – via a one-of-a-kind gel that mimics the teeth’s own remineralisation process – resulting in this patented innovation.
Billed as ‘the first whitening product that’s actually good for your teeth,’ it doesn’t just remove stains, strengthen and protect with continued use, it also immediately covers up surface imperfections – a bit like a tinted moisturiser for your teeth.
Swiss Clinic Teeth Whitening Pen , £59 – sodium bicarbonate and peroxide in one
The spec: sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide – leave on
This pen boasts a double whammy of hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate and, unlike other formulas containing peroxide, it doesn’t require any rinsing. The magic here mostly comes from the sodium bicarbonate that uses that all-important oxidisation process to help lift away stains.
It uses exactly the same formula as the brand’s Whitening System – a kit of custom-moulding trays that you insert a gel into although the makers say this version is for people who want to maintain their results or to spot treat single teeth.
Mr Bright Home Teeth Whitening Pen , £23 – best for fruity flavour
The spec: sodium bicarbonate and essential oils for freshness – rinse off after 30 minutes
Even though there’s no hydrogen peroxide in this Australian-based brand, unusually the pen’s packaging states to rinse this formula off after wearing it for half an hour.
It’s a fairly thick gel so you can really feel it as you slick it on although when it was time to wash it off, it all seemed to have disappeared.
The power player? It’s another that boasts sodium bicarbonate high up on its INCI list, accompanied by a whole medley of different fruity oils like peppermint, cranberry and grapefruit to add a mild flavour.
Moon teeth whitening pen platinum
The author channels her best Kendall Jenner while using Jenner’s Moon whitening pen. Photo: Courtesy Gabriella Fuller
I run a design gallery, which means I’m always trying to make the shoebox studios I rent look more like my clients’ triplexes featured in Architectural Digest. The one area that’s always stumped me is the bathroom: You can hide your shoes in the oven, but your oral care is always going to be strewn all over the sink, looking like an exploded high-school chemistry lab. I didn’t expect to find a potential solution on Kendall Jenner’s Instagram, but life is full of small graces. In conjunction with Shaun Neff, an entrepreneur best known for attempting to make beanies more sexy, the Proactive spokeswoman recently launched Moon Oral Care in an attempt to make toothbrushes more sexy. Neff, who “ideates” for a number of brands, says Moon was born after he walked the aisles of stores across America looking for a sector to disrupt. “Oral care is one of the most boring and worst-designed categories in the consumer space,” he says. “It needed a game-changing facelift.”
Photo: Courtesy of Moon Oral Care
It got one: The Moon products’ understated black palette, simplified white font, and soft-to-touch packaging make them look and feel like the stylish love child of Calvin Klein and Apple. The full collection features a sleek-looking vanilla-mint teeth whitening pen, a fluoride-free stain removal toothpaste, an activated-charcoal toothpaste, an alcohol-free mouthwash, a two-pack of matte-black toothbrushes, and two types of mint floss. The line — all of which is Kendall-approved, even though she only helped create the pen — is vegan, mostly natural (the pen includes urea peroxide), and free of sodium laurel sulphate (SLS), triclosan, and cruelty. (It’s PETA-certified.) It’s also enriched with essential oils like tea tree, peppermint, and vanilla, and infused with fruits like cranberry and coconut. But none of the stuff contains any fluoride, which the American Dental Association says is necessary to prevent tooth decay. Company representatives told me it will release an ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste “soon.”
Dr. Yehia Massoud, a Manhattan dental surgeon with 35 years’ experience, suggests the brand’s rejection of chemicals is part of a larger generational trend toward natural beauty. “Natural products are generally better for you,” he says, and “if we excised sugars from our diets, hydrated appropriately, and brushed after every meal, we probably wouldn’t even need fluoride.” But other dentists doubt the effectiveness of a purely holistic approach. Dr. Patricia Moezinia of Franklin Dental Health notes that, if fruits have any whitening effect at all, it’s because their acids are stripping your enamel. “Fruits are good when you eat them, not when you brush your teeth with them,” she says. As for whitening pens, both dentists and Moon’s own reps note you should temper your expectations: Yellow teeth, for instance, whiten better than grey ones, and an at-home product (pen, strip, or tray) will always have a lower peroxide concentration, and hence a lesser effect, than an in-office treatment.
To find out how effective the line is — and, just as important, if using it would make my bathroom, or my mouth, look like that of an influencer — I called in a complete set of products from the brand to test. Below are my conclusions (and here’s the TL;DR: After using the line twice a day for 13 days — one short of the two weeks Moon recommends for “optimal results” — my smile doesn’t look more like Jenner’s. But my teeth feel clean, my breath smells good, and, with the products on display, my bathroom looks more like a unisex day spa, according to some friends I recently hosted for a dinner party. Call Architectural Digest.)