Combat dullness and stubborn stains with our top picks.
If you're on a mission to get a brighter smile, you're probably on the hunt for the perfect teeth whitening products to get your teeth looking pearly white again. Of course, yellow stains on teeth are a natural part of ageing as the enamel wears away from years of chewing and being exposed to acids from food and drink. However, we know that you may be a little self-conscious when you smile because of this. One of the products we'd recommend considering is a whitening gel. You may think the best teeth whitening gel for the job would be available from the dentist, but there are some fantastic at-home kits available that will leave your teeth looking dazzling once more. • Best for quick results: VIO405 Teeth Whitening Refills Information from Colgate states that teeth whitening gels usually use low levels of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth to remove surface stains from your teeth, as well as deep discolouration. Many also include ingredients that help decrease the sensitivity you feel while whitening your teeth. Many gels available on the market are designed to be refills for teeth whitening kits, but if you have mouth trays already at home, you should be able to use any refills with them.Best teeth whitening gels at a glance:
• Best for stubborn stains: DrDent Professional 8 Teeth Whitening Gel Pods
• Best for number of treatments: mysmile Teeth Whitening Gel Refills
• Best activated charcoal whitening gel: mysmile Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Gel Refills
• Designed by dentists: Polished London Teeth Whitening Gel Refill
• Best for price: Stylsmile Gel Refills
• Best professional at-home gel: Smile Science Harley Street Professional Teeth Whitening Refill KitBest teeth whitening gel
Best for quick results
Price:
£28.00 (was £35.00)
uk.hismileteeth.com
Description
You'll see results using the VIO405™ Teeth Whitening Refills from HiSmile almost instantly so they're perfect for adding some dazzle to your smile before a special event or occasion. Formulated without peroxide, using phtalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) instead, your teeth will be whitened without causing sensitivity or irritation.
Customer review: "I have used this product for around 1 week now and have noticed a massive difference already. My teeth were in good condition, however this has just given them the extra boost to make them look perfectly white and clean. Highly recommend this ‘easy to use’ product. I’m currently using twice daily, which is what is recommended."
HiSmile offers a wide range of teeth whitening products, so if you want to know what we thought of some of them, check out our HiSmile reviews.
Pros
- Contains six treatments
- Whitens in just 10 minutes
- Free from PEG, SLS, Parabens, Phthalates, alcohol, Carrageenan, Toluene and Triclosan
Cons
- For the best results, it is recommended you use these gels with the HiSmile tooth whitening kit
Best for stubborn stains
Description
The DrDent Professional 8 Teeth Whitening Gel Pods strengthen and protect your teeth's enamel while being tough on stains level behind from coffee, wine, cigarettes and food. The specially formulated whitening ingredients can help you achieve teeth that are up to eight shades whiter.
Customer review: "Very good whitening gels, no sensitivity after use, arrived in secure packaging."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great price
- Doesn't have an unpleasant taste
Cons
- Some expected more instant results
Best for the number of treatments
Description
With an advanced PAP+ formula and powerful ingredients, the mysmile Teeth Whitening Gel Refill promise fast results, claiming to get your smile eight shades whiter if you use them for 10 minutes a day, across six to eight days. The pack contains eight refills, each containing three millilitres of gel, which allows you to get 16 applications from them.
Customer review: "Used these along with the light from another make. These gels are cheaper, and I think more effective than the other brand. Teeth are definitely whiter after a week or so of using them, maybe not celebrity white, but a few shades lighter I would say. One 'syringe' does 2 sessions. I did 6 days, and plan to do one session a week from now just to keep the brightness."
Pros
- Won't cause gum irritation or enamel damage
- Travel-friendly so you can use them just as easily away from home as you would at home
- Good value for money
Cons
- Some found the application to be messy
Best activated charcoal whitening gel
Price:
£17.99
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
Another great option from mysmile is the mysmile Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Gel Refills. They're made using only naturally derived ingredients like chamomile flower extract and aloe vera and they contain activated charcoal to eliminate stains from your teeth. They're easy to use and will give you a professional whitening experience at home.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Tackles stubborn stains caused by coffee, tea, tobacco and wine
- Enamel-safe and sensitivity free
Cons
- No customer reviews
Designed by dentists
Price:
£20.99
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
A clinically proven formula that's designed by dentists, the Polished London Teeth Whitening Gel Refills have got the professional seal of approval. It contains PAP as the active whitening ingredient to deliver a brighter, whiter smile with zero sensitivity.
Pros
- 10-15 minute treatment time
- Peroxide-free
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best for price
Price:
£15
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Target the look of dullness and encourage a pearly-white gleam with these Stylsmile Gel Refills. They dissolve stains on the enamel of your teeth safely and effectively to leave your smile looking at least two shades whiter after just one week of treatment.
Customer review: "Really works see the difference in one week"
Pros
- Improves the look of discolouration
- Free from peroxide
- Treatment time is designed to be just 15 minutes a time
Cons
- Could have more treatments included per pack
Best professional at-home gel
Price:
£19.99
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
Whiten your teeth quickly in the comfort of your own home with the dentist-approved Smile Science Harley Street Professional Teeth Whitening Refill Kit. You just pop the gel in your mouth trays and you can sit back and relax or carry on with housework for 20 minutes while it works its magic. In addition to two teeth whitening gels, it also comes with a pre-stain remover to use first, which targets deep-set and surface stains while preparing your teeth for the next step.
Customer review: "I have used both syringes and have noticed a big difference in the whiteness of my teeth! Would definitely recommend. Will be ordering the top ups to continue whitening."
Pros
- Helps teeth to become up to eight shades whiter after the full course of treatment
- Includes an intensive stain remover as a pre-treatment
- Contains nourishing and strengthening ingredients
Cons
- Contains low levels of hydrogen peroxide; some people may prefer to use a treatment that uses other whitening ingredients
With some help from Colgate, we've got a few tips to help you achieve the best results from using a teeth whitening gel at home. • Always brush your teeth before applying the treatment The top tip that Colgate has to offer is to always consult your dentist before using a whitening gel. Teeth with very dark stains, crowns or fillings might not have as good results from home whitening gels as they would in a dental practice. They also recommend getting a dentist to make the trays for your at-home whitening gel treatment. You can of course get whitening kits that have everything you need inside, but getting a custom-made tray by your dentist will ensure it fits neatly to the contours of your mouth. This way, you shouldn't get any leakage like you could with an off-the-shelf tray that isn't made for your mouth. Initially, you may need to use your teeth whitening gel or other whitening product every day for a number of days to achieve your desired result. After the first course of at-home treatment, you should then only need to use it once or twice a week to maintain your dazzling smile. You should, of course, check the instructions for your chosen treatment before you use it to check how long you need to use it. If you have any doubts, consult your dentist as they'll know what's best for your teeth. Teeth whitening gels are generally a safe teeth stain remover, as long as you follow the instructions from your chosen gel and check for any safety guidelines. Advice from the NHS states, "no matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel." If you're worried about using a teeth whitening gel, you may want to start by introducing a teeth whitening toothpaste into your morning routine as these offer a more natural way to brighten your smile and aren't as strong.FAQs
Tips for using teeth whitening gels at home
• Be careful not to swallow any gel
• Gently remove any residue that might be left on your teeth or gums with a cloth, clean finger or soft toothbrush
• Rise your mouth wellHow often should you use a whitening treatment?
Is it safe to use an at-home teeth whitening gel?
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