A Dentist Confirms—These Are the Greatest Whitening Pens for a Vibrant, Wholesome Smile

We’re within the DIY-era. I’m not speaking DIY house decor—although I feel we’ve all dabbled in just a few tasks over the previous few years, completed or not—however in magnificence and wellness. The trade is angling towards accessibility. Remedies that have been as soon as spa-exclusive are popping up at all of your favourite magnificence retailers. From facial sculpting devices to hair elimination instruments, you are able to do just about something at house. And with precise outcomes. However it’s not all lasers and microcurrents. Easy, efficient magnificence remedies are additionally again in vogue. And as we speak, we have now professional insights on the very best tooth whitening pen for a brilliant, wholesome smile.

Whilst you might need tried whitening strips or trays, pens are the most recent and best for moveable and versatile whitening. The precision of a pen applicator permits for extra even whitening. You may as well pop a pen in your journey bag, so it’s a no-stress addition to your nighttime routine. (Not like my NuFace, which is a nightmare to deliver by way of TSA.)

However are they too good to be true? I tapped Dr. Ambika Amini, a normal dentist and co-founder of My Non-public Dentist, for whitening suggestions and methods and to get the news on the very best tooth whitening pen available on the market.

Featured picture from our interview with Shanika Hillocks by Michelle Nash.

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Picture by Michelle Nash

Every thing to Know About Enamel Whitening Pens

In line with Dr. Amini, there are two foremost components utilized in all the very best tooth whitening pens: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They each have related outcomes, however their foremost distinction is how lengthy they take to interrupt down.

Whereas hydrogen peroxide releases most of its whitening energy inside 30–60 minutes, carbamide peroxide releases about 50% of its whitening energy within the first two hours and might stay energetic for as much as six extra hours. Relying on the formulation, the steadiness of those and different components have an effect on the time to consequence and the shade modifications in your tooth.

In line with Dr. Amini, one other issue to think about is how these components act on delicate tooth. Whereas each hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are secure on delicate tooth, some pens are formulated particularly to guard your oral well being.

Beneath, Dr. Amini shares every little thing to find out about tooth whitening pens, together with how they work, insights on outcomes, unintended effects, and extra. Dive in.

eating lunch, best teeth whitening pen — *Picture by Michelle Nash*

How Enamel Whitening Pens Work

Enamel whitening pens include an answer that’s utilized with a brush or pen to the floor of your tooth. The answer is normally in liquid or gel type. It accommodates a bleaching agent corresponding to hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which works to interrupt down stains (brought on by tea, espresso, crimson wine, and smoking) on the enamel of your tooth. Because the stains are damaged down, your tooth will seem brighter and whiter.

Are tooth whitening pens efficient?

Enamel whitening pens can work properly to take away floor layer extrinsic staining, brought on by darkly stained meals and drinks and tobacco merchandise. Keep in mind, although, that they do have their limitations.

Firstly, the degrees of the bleaching agent utilized in tooth whitening pens are a lot decrease than the whitening gels in skilled tooth whitening. Because of this though tooth might seem lighter, tooth whitening pens are unlikely to supply important shade modifications.

Though tooth might seem lighter, tooth whitening pens are unlikely to supply important shade modifications.

How efficient tooth whitening pens are, and actually, all whitening merchandise, will rely in your particular person habits. In case you drink a number of espresso or tea, the staining is prone to reappear. Consuming darkly coloured liquids by way of a straw and avoiding smoking might help to make whitening outcomes last more.

Moreover, they gained’t whiten crowns, veneers, or fillings, so take this into consideration earlier than utilizing any whitening product.

picking fruit, best teeth whitening pen — *Picture by Michelle Nash*

How lengthy does it take to get outcomes?

This varies from product to product. Typically, it’s a gradual enchancment, and it’s best to count on to use the whitening pen to your tooth for a couple of minutes a day (or as much as one hour), every day for 1-2 weeks.

It’s best to take a break of at the very least two weeks earlier than finishing up one other cycle of whitening with a teeth-whitening pen. Whitening pens typically have 30-40 makes use of.

Can tooth whitening pens be used on delicate tooth?

In case you expertise tooth sensitivity, be cautious when utilizing tooth whitening pens as they might worsen your signs and trigger discomfort. Some tooth whitening pens are specifically formulated with people who have delicate tooth in thoughts. They’ve desensitizing components to assist forestall discomfort.

Utilizing toothpaste for delicate tooth might help with signs whereas utilizing whitening pens. Additionally, keep away from utilizing the pens for longer than directed to keep away from tooth sensitivity.

Are there any unintended effects?

The commonest facet impact of tooth whitening pens is experiencing tooth sensitivity both throughout or after therapy. That is extra possible whether it is utilized for longer than steered. Sensitivity is normally transient however will be fairly uncomfortable.

Be conscious when utilizing the tooth whitening pens to maintain the gel on the floor of the tooth. If the answer comes into contact together with your gums, they will grow to be irritated and sore.

Overuse of tooth whitening pens might trigger some erosive put on, and enhance the prospect of sensitivity.

wearing robe in bed — *Picture by Michelle Nash*

The Greatest Enamel Whitening Pens

Each product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll at all times give an sincere opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. In case you purchase one thing by way of our hyperlinks, we might earn a small fee without charge to you.

In line with Dr. Amini, this can be a nice choose as a result of “it has a precision tip applicator to allow secure placement in your tooth, stopping the danger of gum irritation. It’s easy to make use of and efficient at eradicating floor degree staining.”

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen Peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: Two shades whiter in a single week

In case you’re on the lookout for an possibility for use on extra of an as-needed foundation, that is your choose. Assume: for infrequent wine nights or in the event you’re somebody who solely drinks espresso just a few occasions every week. Low-key, however nonetheless completely efficient.

Energetic ingredient: Carbamide peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: As much as 10 shades in seven days

Because the copy so cleverly states, “Simply GLO and go!” In all seriousness, that is the best whitening pen for these of us who don’t have the time for an all-out software. Apply a skinny layer in your tooth and let dry for 30 seconds, ready a half-hour earlier than consuming or consuming. Straightforward.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: Speedy

This barely-there gel makes use of actives suspended in a waterproof base to coat tooth simply and comfortably, with no sensitivity. Apply as much as 4 occasions a day to whiten tooth noticeably in simply 14 remedies.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen Peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: 14 remedies in 4 days

This handy, on-the-go serum is good for moveable whitening. The answer dissolves after software for immediately whiter-looking tooth.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen Peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: Two shades whiter after only one software

Utilizing the identical components as professional-grade remedies, this whitening pen makes use of energetic peroxide droplets that take up quick and keep on your tooth to whiten on the go.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: Two shades whiter in 10 days

This hybrid pen and LED system combines the very best in tooth whitening expertise. Apply the peroxide-based serum pen then use the LED tray for 10 minutes to spice up its whitening energy.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: 10 minutes a day for one week

Get professional-level leads to seven days with a gel pen that begins working after only one use. This user-favorite employs the identical enamel-safe whitening components utilized by dentists to whiten in simply 10 minutes, providing you with as much as 12 shades of enchancment after one week.

Energetic ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: 12 shades in a single week

This two-step carbamide peroxide-based formulation is straightforward to make use of at house and gives professional-grade leads to as few as 5 days. The pen begins working instantly, then the strips lock within the whitening brokers and ship a second dose of actives.

Energetic ingredient: Carbamide Peroxide

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: 90 minutes a day for 5 days

Shield your tooth towards harm whereas whitening with this pure formulation. This two-in-one system can be utilized as a stain-prevention gel—simply apply it earlier than consuming espresso or wine and depart it on for half-hour.

Energetic ingredient: Coconut oil and lemon peel

Sensitivity-safe? Sure

Time to consequence: Speedy for prevention