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Our picks provide high-level brightening without any pain composite bonding
Jaylyn Pruitt has been working with Dotdash Meredith since May 2019 and is currently a commerce writer for Health where she writes about health and wellness products.
Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
Teeth whitening products can take many forms, but if you have sensitive teeth, you’ll need to be careful about what treatment you choose and what kind of sensitivity you have. To find the best teeth-whitening products for sensitive teeth, we spoke with dentists about how to look for products that wouldn't be too harsh and then tested over 50 different teeth whiteners in our lab and at home. When testing, we paid special attention to the ingredients, comfort, effectiveness and overall value. An orthodontist on our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy surrounding what to look for in teeth whitening products for sensitive teeth, what kinds of results to expect, and whether the process is safe.
When you use a teeth whitening product at home, you shouldn't expect to see the same bright white results you'd get from a professional treatment done in dentist's office. However, our team has spent two years testing these products and we know firsthand that they do work, just be prepared for slower, gradual results. Our favorite whitening product, Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive White has gentle but effective ingredients that didn't bother our teeth and gums and provided a visible difference right away.
If your teeth are very sensitive, dentists we spoke to suggest adding healthy toothpaste with ingredients like potassium nitrate and fluoride to your dental routine to help address your tooth pain before you introduce whitening products. You can follow up your healthy dental routine with a whitener for sensitive teeth or even use a whitener that pulls double duty, like a whitening toothpaste or mouthwash, says Shahrooz Yazdani, DDS, founder and CEO of Yazdani Family Dentistry in Ontario, Canada. Doing this can help alleviate any concerns about worsening sensitivity in the long run.
Crest is the leading name in teeth whitening—and for good reason. When we tested the best teeth whitening kits, we named the Crest Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth our top pick for people with tooth sensitivity. These strips are designed for sensitive teeth—like the Crest 3D Sensitive Whitestrips. The difference is a lower peroxide level; the sensitive strips contain 5.25% hydrogen peroxide compared to Crest’s standard 6.5%.
We were surprised by how gentle this product was on our very sensitive teeth and gums. We also noticed a difference in the color of our teeth right away while using the strips. The Crest Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth work like the other strips in Crest’s lineup: just wear them once a day for 30 minutes, and you should see full results in about two weeks—all without tooth pain. Plus, these strips use Crest’s AdvancedSeal tech for a non-slip grip on teeth during whitening.
While many kinds of toothpaste can be abrasive and irritating to sensitive teeth, the Crest Pro-health Gum & Sensitivity whitening toothpaste can brighten teeth without any added abrasion or pain. This toothpaste stood out from others we've tried in that it didn't irritate our gums or leave the inside of our mouths feeling dry or peeled. Instead, it left a refreshing, clean sensation.
The toothpaste itself was pleasant to use, with a fine foam and no grittiness, and it gently coated our teeth. Even with our naturally sensitive teeth, we didn’t experience any discomfort. The taste was mildly minty and refreshing, maintaining freshness for about an hour after brushing. You can use Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste just like any other toothpaste—in fact, using it like a regular toothpaste (that means twice daily) should help combat your regular tooth sensitivity thanks to Crest's stannous fluoride-based formula. We noticed a very subtle lightening of our teeth, but we think that longer-term use might make a more noticeable difference.
If you think you can’t see real whitening results with mouthwash, think again. TheraBreath’s Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse offers all the power of an effective mouthwash with high-strength whitening, all without peroxide. Instead, TheraBreath’s whitening mouthwash uses a three-step process to lift stains and whiten teeth. Papain, an enzyme derived from papaya fruit, works with your saliva to remove stains (meaning that the watery mouth you get from mouthwash isn’t for nothing). Its oxidizing process—with the help of glucose oxidase—is where you’ll see its whitening impact.
Plus, it’s alcohol-free, so you won’t feel any burning or stinging, but you’ll still have a fresher, brighter smile. “I recommend not using an alcohol-based mouthwash after fluoride-based toothpaste as it can rinse away the protective fluoride from your teeth,” says Dr. Yazdani.
You can use TheraBreath whitening mouthwash like any other mouthwash; just rinse with one capful for two minutes, morning and night, and wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This mouthwash offers a 24-hour stain barrier if used twice daily, protecting your teeth from any additional staining while you use it. You should see results in just a couple of uses.
Your results may not be as noticeable as with a traditional whitening product.
While using peroxide to bleach your teeth isn't harmful, it should be limited because it can soften your enamel over time. If you’re worried about peroxide use, Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips is peroxide-free, using essential oils instead of more standard chemicals to whiten teeth. Its ingredient list includes lemon peel oil, coconut oil, sage oil, and Dead Sea salt.
If you’re wondering how well all-natural whitening solutions stand up to chemical whitening, the answer might be surprising. A study of chemical teeth whitening and all-natural teeth whitening products found that while chemical whitening provided more drastic results, all-natural products weren’t far behind—plus, they left teeth with fewer surface issues after use.
We found these strips comfortable and easy to use, allowing us to carry on with our daily activities, including conversations, during the 30-minute treatment. The strips, which lack an unpleasant taste and instead offer a slightly refreshing flavor, showed effectiveness after two to three applications, gradually whitening our teeth by approximately two shades. We also found that the strips were easy to apply and stayed on our teeth even while talking, though they only cover the front 6-8 teeth on each row. For 21 treatments, we consider them a great option, especially given their effectiveness and suitability for sensitive teeth and gums.
Although its causes are poorly understood, tooth sensitivity is most often seen as the result of tooth dehydration, according to dentists Gerard Kugel and Susana Ferreira in “The Art and Science of Teeth Whitening.”
The Crest Whitening Emulsions is the solution to your hydrating and whitening needs. What sets it apart is its gentle formula, which effectively minimizes sensitivity, providing a comfortable whitening experience without the discomfort often associated with such products. It hydrates your teeth with hydrogen peroxide suspended in a hydrating blend of petrolatum and sorbitan palmitate.
The process is simple and allows for normal activities during treatment, making it extremely user-friendly. The application of the gel and the use of the LED device took 33 minutes from start to finish. Despite the option for up to four daily applications, we didn't encounter any sensitivity issues, which was particularly impressive given our concerns about gum sensitivity. The results were clearly visible, lightening our teeth by two shades. This kit doesn't require charging, adding to its convenience, and includes a practical stand for storage.
LED lights can dehydrate teeth, giving them that extra-white look just after use so they can be extra tough on sensitive teeth. The Byte BrightByte Pro lets you get a super bright smile with an LED device without the sensitivity.
In our test with the Byte BrightByte Pro, the whitening effect was evident from the second use, with our teeth brightening significantly by the end of the test. The device's direct connection to our phone eliminated the need for charging, adding to its convenience. The entire session, including application and cleanup, was about 20 minutes. Impressively, we experienced no discomfort or sensitivity from the gel, a major plus. We think the Byte BrightByte Pro offered great value for its price, effectively whitening our teeth without any pain or sensitivity.
The Lumineux Bright Pen provides a gentle yet effective whitening solution that avoids the common issue of increased sensitivity or irritation, making it an ideal choice for those who want a brighter smile without discomfort.
Peroxide—either hydrogen or carbamide—is the active ingredient in most whitening products, but it can lead to tooth sensitivity. Lumineux, a fan-favorite whitening company, makes all its products without peroxide. Instead, they use a combination of essential oils to provide results—without any chemical taste you get from most whitening products.
Using the pen was straightforward: just twist, apply, and go. It was so easy that we could do it without a mirror. The pen's precise brush allowed for effortless application, reaching every part of our teeth without any mess. We had to wait 30 minutes after application before eating or drinking. Within two weeks, we noticed our teeth becoming a shade lighter, enhancing our confidence in our smile. We didn’t experience any sensitivity or irritation, a welcome change from our past experiences with teeth-whitening products. The pack included two pens, offering excellent value for a single purchase or a $10 discount with a subscription.
The Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste stands out as the best purple whitening paste due to its unique formula that combines ease of use, gentle whitening effects, and a pleasant taste, making it a standout choice for those seeking a mild and convenient teeth whitening solution.
It applied easily, although initially more liquidy than regular toothpaste. The first few seconds of brushing left a temporary purple hue on our teeth, but this quickly dissipated. The toothpaste, with its gel-like consistency, was easy to use and didn’t foam, allowing for thorough brushing without causing sensitivity. It had a minty, pleasant taste after an initial medicinal flavor. While we didn’t notice dramatic, immediate effects, our teeth appeared slightly whiter over time.
It offered a mild whitening effect and was a simple addition to our morning routine. While not a robust whitening solution, we’d recommend it for those interested in a gentle, convenient product.
To find the best teeth-whitening products for sensitive teeth, we tested over 50 whitening products. Whitening treatments take many forms, so we picked a treatment from each category, making it easy to pick the right one for you. We tested each product for its ingredients, comfort, number of applications, and time to results.
Before testing, we determined our tooth shades and compared our shades two and four weeks later. In our lab test, we used products once according to manufacturer instructions and then took the products home and continued to follow the instructions on the package.
We talked to dentists to find out what ingredients shoppers should look for and avoid as well as what considerations people with sensitive teeth should take before trying a whitening treatment. Our experts include:
According to Dr. Velayo, peroxides—either hydrogen or carbamide—are the most effective whitening ingredients because of how they interact with stains. “These ingredients penetrate the enamel to reverse intrinsic and extrinsic stains,” she says. “Peroxide gels break down into water, oxygen, and reactive oxygen molecules. These reactive oxygen molecules treat both the enamel and the dentin, oxidizing the bonds of discolored stain molecules. By changing the stained molecules, the tooth becomes lighter.”
Additionally, you “should look for potassium nitrate, fluoride, and/or xylitol because of their added benefits to improve patient comfort and post-op sensitivity,” she adds.
While charcoal is a popular whitening ingredient, the dentists we spoke to recommended against charcoal products. Instead of whitening your teeth, charcoal can actually make your teeth appear more yellow by wearing away at the enamel and exposing the yellow dentin underneath. More importantly for people with sensitive teeth, the dentin layer is softer and more prone to causing pain and discomfort if exposed.
Before you start looking at products, Dr. Velay says you need to “first assess what type of staining or discoloration you have." Teeth whitening products come in several different types, so how and why you’re whitening your teeth is important when deciding which product you’ll use.
Whether teeth whitening is right for you depends on the type of oral sensitivity you have. Issues like gingivitis, tooth decay, and cavities are best dealt with professionally before trying a teeth whitening treatment, advises Dr. Yazdani, as the “chances of pain, irritation, or discomfort getting worse increase when you apply a whitening agent.”
If your tooth sensitivity stems from worn enamel, you can still use a whitening treatment, but you should be cautious. Only use the treatment as directed, making sure not to leave gel or strips on your teeth for any longer than the directions state, as this can lead to further sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity can be managed down to a level where it’s no longer noticeable and may even go away while whitening. A few of the multi-benefit products we’ve recommended here—like the Crest Pro-health Gum & Sensitivity and TheraBreath Whitening Mouthwash—can be incorporated into your daily oral hygiene routine to help strengthen and whiten teeth.
“Use toothpaste with active ingredients that can help calm the nerves in your teeth, such as potassium nitrate, fluoride, or strontium chloride,” says Dr. Yazdani. “Over time, the teeth will build up a resistance to the usual triggers.”
Jaylyn Pruitt covers teeth whitening for Health and Verywell Health. She has a Master of Library and Information Science with a focus on health information. Her goal is to provide easy-to-understand information with a patient perspective in mind.
Pauli MC, Kanemaru MYS, Vieira WF, et al. Current status of whitening agents and enzymes in dentistry. Braz. J. Pharm. Sci. 2022;58. doi:10.1590/s2175-979020201000X32e19501
Kugel G, Ferreira S. The art and science of tooth whitening. J Mass Dent Soc. 2005;53(4):34-37.
teeth whitening pap pods kits ADA Mouth Healthy. Natural teeth whitening: Fact vs. fiction.