Home Teeth Whitening Kits: Guide to Reviews, Costs, and Comparisons

There are all kinds of things that can cause our teeth to become discolored. Everyday foods and drinks like tea, coffee, wine, sauces, and berries are just a few of the main culprits. If you're considering using a home teeth whitening kit to brighten up your smile, you're certainly not alone.

The whitening industry has boomed in recent years and there is now a huge variety of whitening products available in the US. And while it's nice to have options, this choice can be overwhelming if you're new to it all.

It's great that you're here to do some research before deciding how to whiten your teeth – safety should be a priority with something so important!

In this article, we explain why home whitening kits are such a popular option for people dissatisfied with the shade of their teeth. You'll be able to compare the cost and effectiveness of some of the best teeth whitening kits to make your decision easier. Finally, we offer some advice on how to prepare for whitening and care for your teeth afterwards.

Ways to make your teeth whiter

There are many whitening products and treatments available to try. Some are performed in a dentist's office while others can be bought over-the-counter or online to use at home. Choosing the right one for you will come down to two main factors: how much you want to spend and how drastic you want the results to be.

Whitening toothpastes are the cheapest option but they are abrasive to teeth and prolonged use can cause sensitivity. Results are mild and only last for as long as you are using the product. However, some companies, like Smileactives, offer a whitening gel that you add to your toothpaste.

On the other end of the scale, you can visit your dentist for whitening treatment using advanced laser technology. Although this delivers impressive results with just one visit, a course of treatment can run into thousands of dollars (but you might find it cheaper abroad). There is also a risk that you'll end up with dazzling white teeth that just look weird.

Cheaper yet effective

Somewhere in the middle, offering a balance between price and results, is the option of a teeth whitening kit. Available in drugstores as well as online, these kits can produce decent, lasting results after just a couple of uses in some cases.

Depending on the type you buy, teeth whitening kits can cost anywhere between $15 and $400 in the US. More expensive options might have stronger gel or more components included, like LED tech to accelerate whitening. They offer the added benefit of allowing you to do your whitening at home when it suits you.

But even if you have decided to whiten your teeth at home with one of these kits, you're still faced with many options. Should you go for a kit that uses LED or UV light? Are professional brands more effective than retailers' own brands? Should you supplement your whitening with other products like toothpaste, mouthwash or a whitening pen? And how can you be sure it's safe to use?

We're focusing on home kits in this article, but if you're interested in other ways to whiten your teeth you should check out our complete guide to teeth whitening as well. This covers other methods like whitening strips and pens as well as professional treatments carried out at the dentist. There is even a section on natural whitening techniques for those who would rather try a chemical-free approach.

How do teeth whitening kits work?

Although the individual components of each kit vary, the principle behind them is the same: you apply a bleaching gel to your teeth for a certain amount of time each day. Most kits come with a set of trays (which look like mouth guards) that fit to your teeth and hold the gel in place.

The bleach, usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, seeps through your tooth enamel to whiten the layer of dentin below. Dentin is naturally a darker yellow color, which is why our teeth aren't perfectly white in the first pace.

Some home kits come with an accelerator fluid which you must apply directly to your teeth before fitting the trays.

Each kit will include instructions to tell you how much gel to use, how long to leave the trays in for, and how often to repeat the treatment. Some may have different options depending on whether you'd rather have several short treatments in a day or one longer one. The timings are all dependent on the ingredients used in the products, and you should follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

Certain kits come with additional features or components which make them faster-acting, more comfortable, or easier to use. Premium kits may include:

• A blue light used to accelerate the whitening process
• Individual pre-filled trays for each use
• Pre-measured amounts of gel in syringes
• Trays that can be molded to fit your teeth better
• A peroxide-free gel for gentler whitening on sensitive teeth
• Additional whitening products such as a tooth polisher, whitening pen, or toothpaste

Keep in mind that a more expensive kit won't necessarily produce the best teeth whitening results. Cheap teeth whitening kits can be just as effective if used properly, but the process itself may be less enjoyable.

LED teeth whitening

If you've seen images of people wearing a mouthpiece emitting an eerie blue light, they were probably whitening their teeth at the time.

Dentists have long been using LED (light emitting diode) and UV (ultraviolet) light to accelerate the whitening process when you go for in-office treatment. Some kits now use this technology in a handheld device to speed up whitening at home, too.

The blue light itself doesn't have any impact on the whiteness of teeth, but it kick-starts the whitening agents. This means that visible results can be achieved much faster with an LED teeth whitening kit. If you don't have much time to dedicate to wearing bleaching trays each day then you may benefit from choosing a kit with an LED light.

LED whitening has widely replaced UV whitening in dental clinics since it is proven to be more effective. It's also thought to be safer; UV light poses a greater risk of damage to gums and other parts of the mouth and face.

Measuring success

The whiteness of teeth is measured using a color scale. In dental clinics, you may see a row of what look like teeth in different shades of white and yellow. Dentists use these to check your original tooth color and measure how many shades of whitening you have achieved.

The best home whitening kits often come with a shade guide you can hold up to your teeth to assess the change in color. Without this it can be hard to measure success since our teeth can appear different shades in different lights.

Many kits are labeled with a promise such as “makes teeth 10 shades brighter”, but in reality your individual results will vary depending on the condition of your teeth.

Don't be tempted to use whitening trays or other products for longer than stated on the packet. You might think this will give you whiter teeth faster, but in fact it could leave white blotches on your teeth. Similarly, over-filling the trays with more than the recommended amount of product could cause it to leak out and damage other parts of your mouth.

Over-whitening can also lead to your teeth losing their healthy shine and instead becoming dull and chalky white, so it's best to aim for a modest improvement at first.

Home whitening safety

First of all, we recommend purchasing a kit made in the US because you know it's made to certain standards that you might not get if the kit you buy is imported from another country. The Snow whitening kit that we review below is a great example of a US-made, US-distributed and US-regulated product.

Additionally, any products you buy from a reputable drugstore in the US should also be safe to use. If you look online, though, you'll find numerous other options available. Products sold in other countries are regulated in different ways so it can be harder to know whether these are completely safe to use.

Firstly, you can check the percentage of hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching agent. In the US, home whitening products usually contain 3-10% hydrogen peroxide. A higher concentration than this is more likely to cause damage.

Dentists, meanwhile, can use products containing as much as 38% peroxide for in-office bleaching. This is why their treatments are more effective (and expensive!).

Although the gel used in home whitening kits is much weaker than that used by dentists, there is still a risk of injury to gums and cheeks if the product leaks out of the trays. Kits with trays that mold to the shape of your teeth can reduce this risk.

The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that a concentration of 10% hydrogen peroxide or higher is more likely to damage skin and tissue, so steps must be taken to protect the gum tissue when using these products.

Before going ahead with any kind of whitening it's a good idea to speak to your dentist first. Teeth bleaching kits may be unsuitable for people with gum disease or dental crowns, and if you have any tooth decay the bleaching agent can get to your nerves more easily, causing sensitivity or pain. Your dentist will be able to advise you of any potential risks at your next checkup.

Home teeth whitening kit reviews

Below we describe some of the top teeth whitening kits available in the US. You will see:

• How they work
• Pros and cons
• Any unique features
• Real user reviews

This information will help you make up your mind about which is the best teeth whitening kit for you.

If you decide to buy a teeth bleaching kit online, be sure to shop around for the best price. Many kits are available for much less than the advertised RRP through discount sites, with voucher codes, or even from the manufacturer's own website.

Snow Teeth Whitening

Remember those blue light LED kits we were talking about earlier? Well, Snow is the leading brand on the market when it comes to LED technology for speeding up the whitening process.

One of the great things about Snow is that it uncomplicates the whole LED teeth whitening process. All you have to do is apply the whitening serum to your teeth and put the mouthpiece in your mouth for 9 to 30 minutes. And voila! 90% of customers see noticeable results after the first use! Snow also differentiates itself from other whitening kits because it's made in such a way that people with sensitive teeth can use it too.

Watch the video below of people using Snow while they go about their day.

Snow receives excellent reviews across a wide range of web and social media platforms and has been featured on various morning news shows and talk shows like the Wendy Williams show. Celebrities like Floyd Mayweather, Rob Gronkowski, and Danielle Macdonald are some of Snow's biggest endorsers, and for good reason, because from the looks of it, Snow really works!

And yes, Snow is more expensive than your typical home whitening kit, but the results are meant to last, and in a year or two from now, if you decide you want a touchup, you can use the same kit, all you need to buy are some whitening gel refills. Plus, Snow can make their prices a little higher, because they're so sure you'll see results, that the cost includes a money-back guarantee if for any reason you aren't satisfied with your results.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Snow kit is made to be easier and safer to use. Most kits require you to put whitening gel into a tray, that you then put into your mouth. Applying the gel in such a way can result in excess gel inside your mouth and on your gums, and uneven application on your teeth. Since the Snow system comes with whitening wands, you can apply the exact amount of gel required to your teeth and ensure even coverage.

If this sort of LED whitening interests you, you can head over to their user-friendly website and buy yourself a kit right now! You can choose to bundle your purchase with other goodies, such as charcoal floss and lip balm, or buy couple and family kits as well. There's also a wireless kit if you want totally hands-free, on-the-go treatment. For more information about Snow, have a look at our Snow review as well.

Snow Wireless Kit — 2nd Generation

The Snow Wireless Kit 2nd Generation is new and improved and perfect for those who want white teeth and don't mind paying a little extra for added convenience and add-on benefits.

The Wireless Kit has all of the basics as the Original, and of course, the mouthpiece is wireless and waterproof. It comes in a super sleek, compact, portable charging case that self-sanitizes! Additionally, the Wireless Kit features new red light technology that eliminates bad bacteria in your mouth and supports gum health, while the blue light does its job to whiten. You can use it with Snow's smartphone app to track your progress. The top features of the Wireless Kit are:

• Dual light wireless mouthpiece
• Wireless, portable charging case
• Self-sanitizing case
• Water-resistance
• Travel friendly

Active Wow

Active Wow offers a Premium whitening kit and a charcoal whitening kit. Both include three moldable mouth trays, three syringes with whitening gel, and LED light and a tray case. The difference is that in the charcoal kit uses activated charcoal for natural whitening benefits,  Some reviewers found the moldable mouth trays hard to get right – but fortunately the kits come with a spare one (3 in total).

No gel refills are available, so you'll need to purchase a new kit when the initial supply is used up.

The company claims that results can appear after just one use, and the majority of reviews seem to back this up.

“The product worked as advertised. There was definitely a difference after one treatment. I have done it 3 times and I can see an improvement every time. I highly recommend it.” was one user's comment.

For those who aren't happy with the results, there is a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee.

AuraGlow

The AuraGlow kit comes with an LED light and one-piece mouth tray which doesn't require any molding. There is also a case to store your trays safely.

Recommended treatment time is 30 minutes a day. The LED light automatically shuts off after this time, and it also beeps at 10-minute intervals to make it easy to time shorter applications. It attaches directly to the mouth tray so you don't need to hold it in place the whole time.

Some reviewers report seeing a difference after one or two applications, but for others, it takes a little longer. The kit contains enough gel for 10 applications, by which time most people notice a clear difference – even on badly-stained teeth. The product's claim to have enough for 20+ whitening treatments is a little misleading since two “treatments” are needed if you want to whiten both your upper and lower teeth in one application.

“This stuff works. I had stains on my teeth from coffee and tea and after four days the stains were significantly better.” is the comment from one happy consumer.

Gel syringe refills are available, costing around $1.50 per application.

Read more about AuraGlow in our article here!

US home whitening kits comparison

The table below summarizes all of the above information so you can easily compare these five home teeth whitening kits:

Things to consider before doing home whitening

If you have any artificial teeth or teeth coverings – such as implants, bridges, crowns, and veneers – these won't be affected by any whitening treatment, unless you choose a product like Snow Teeth Whitening that specifically promises to do so.

Many people experience tooth sensitivity while whitening their teeth. Often this is quite bearable but it can escalate to considerable pain. If you experience any such side effects you can stop your treatment straight away and the pain should soon subside. Still, you should consider a kit like Snow that is made so people with sensitive teeth can use it too.

Most manufacturers recommend you don't use teeth whitening products while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you're currently undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces, you should wait until they are removed before whitening your teeth. You can still use a whitening toothpaste in the meantime.

Aftercare

How long your results last will depend a lot on how well you care for your teeth after whitening.

The simplest way to keep your teeth whiter for longer is to avoid exposing them to things that are likely to stain them. This includes:

• Smoking
• Tea
• Coffee
• Berries
• Brightly colored sauces like tomato sauces and curries
• Wine (both red and white – although white doesn't cause stains, it can darken existing ones)
• Soft drinks (even sugar-free ones have damaging levels of acid)

Think of it this way: if it will stain a white shirt or carpet, there's a good chance it will stain your teeth. Drinking through a straw helps keep damaging liquids away from front teeth.

Whitening products temporarily make your tooth enamel more porous so the whitening agent can take better effect. This also means your teeth are more susceptible to staining from other sources while whitening is in progress. It's, therefore, a good idea to steer clear of these foods and drinks not just after whitening your teeth but during whitening as well. If this is too much to ask, at least abstain for a couple of hours after each whitening session.

Your teeth will also stay whiter if you take good care of them (something you should be doing anyway). This means brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day.

A whitening toothpaste will help remove any surface stains that do build up on your teeth. If this causes sensitivity, try using it just two or three times a week instead.

Finally, don't forget to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings with the hygienist. They use more advanced tools to remove the stuff you miss while you're brushing.

Conclusion

There are lots of whitening kits available out there with a wide variety of features, prices, and contents. Snow may not be the cheapest, but it works out to be a great value when you consider that you're getting a whole year's worth of whitening treatment included in the price.

Snow's systems are made in the USA, the result of millions of dollars of research and development, and come with the reassurance of a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

If you decide that Snow isn't right for you, the other kits mentioned here are good tried and tested alternatives. However, they only include one course of treatment so although they might be cheaper up-front, the results will wear off much sooner.

Contributors:

Natalie Asmussen

Natalie used to work as a Community Health Worker and Health Insurance Navigator. She continues to follow her passion for connecting people with the healthcare they need by writing informative content about dentistry and medicine.