but we found the iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit to be a tidier and more effective alternative to some of the other kits we tested. The last few times I’ve whitened with my opalescence trays from my dentist, I’ve had extremely irritated and almost blanched-looking gums, so I haven’t been doing anything since.

Whitening kits come with multiple strips for the upper and lower teeth, and you use them multiple days in a row for a set amount of time each day to gradually whiten your teeth. When you are ready to apply the whitening pen, smile widely, making sure that your lips are away from the teeth you plan to whiten. Essentially, you position the upper and lower trays on your teeth, bite down for a few seconds, and then remove the colored outer tray, leaving behind a more snug-fitting inner tray containing the whitening gel. If you’re looking for a portable teeth whitening option, many brands offer whitening pens filled with a gel formula of whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. If there does not appear to be product already on the brush, twist the pen to make more product come out.The brand says the trays are flexible so they can conform to your teeth and the shape of your mouth. Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Their take-home whitening kit provides fast whitening results without being abrasive to your teeth or gum.

You should see results after just one use, but use consistently for one week for a longer-lasting whitening treatment. When you opt for a cheaper whitening product, expect to get a lower concentration of whatever the active ingredient is and a higher concentration with more expensive products. Spit out as much of the whitening agent as you can, then swish some warm water around your teeth to dislodge any excess product. In testing, we found that the upper tray caused some serious gum discomfort (even after we brushed our teeth to remove the gel).Teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and should only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.