9 Best Teeth Whiteners for Sensitive Teeth, According to Dentists
Tooth sensitivity isn't uncommon and, to a degree, it can limit whitening options. That doesn't mean you can't find the best teeth whiteners for sensitive teeth over the counter, though. Outside of a professional whitening session with your dentist in-office, the following expert-approved picks will sparkle up your smile without any stinging or irritation in the process. Below, check out the very best teeth whitening products for those with sensitive teeth, plus some tips for brushing up your oral health routine.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Opalescence Go 15% Mint Teeth Whitening Tray, $84
- Best LED Light Teeth Whitener: Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit,
$65$30 - Best Teeth-Whitening Strips: Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive White Kit, $40
- Best Whitening Toothpaste: Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste, $19 (3-Pack)
- Best Peroxide-Free Treatment: Lumineux Whitening Strips,
$50$45 - Best Teeth-Whitening Duo: Supersmile Professional Teeth Whitening System, $45
- Best Teeth-Whitening Gel: Go Smile Professional White Teeth Whitening Gel, $29
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you whiten sensitive teeth?
- Are there any over-the-counter teeth whiteners safe for sensitive teeth?
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Opalescence Go 15% Mint Teeth Whitening Tray
Why It's Worth It: As its name suggests, the Opalescence Go 15% Mint Teeth Whitening Tray does contain 15% hydrogen peroxide, but New York City-based board-certified dentist Michael J. Wei, DDS says it's still a suitable whitening solution for sensitive teeth. "This pre-filled whitening tray is perfect for those with sensitive teeth, providing superior whitening results with minimal sensitivity," he says. Each box comes with 10 pre-filled, single-use daily whitening trays that'll make your teeth noticeably sparklier within 10 days.
Editor Tip: If 15% hydrogen peroxide seems too concentrated for your sensitive teeth, you can swap this pick with Opal by Opalescence's Gentle Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, which only contain 6% of the active ingredient.
Product Type: Trays | Active Ingredients: hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of Use: 20 minutes daily
Best LED Light Teeth Whitener: Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit
Why It's Worth It: We'll say it: The Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit is the one LED whitening kit to rule them all. This two-piece set comes with the brand's beloved Optic White overnight teeth whitening pen, which is formulated with a low dose of hydrogen peroxide, and a purple LED light mouthpiece to intensify the whitening process without causing an uncomfortable reaction in the process.
Editor Tip: To use this daily, over-the-counter teeth whitener, simply brush on the formula, pop the LED light piece into your mouth for 10 minutes, and you'll see noticeable results by day 10.
Product Type: Gel pen and LED whitening light | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of Use: 10 minutes daily
Best Teeth-Whitening Strips: Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive White Kit
Why It's Worth It: Most dentists, including the ones we asked here, agree that Crest Whitestrips are pretty much the gold standard for at-home stain fading. The regular version of the bleaching strips may be too intense for those with sensitive teeth, but board-certified cosmetic dentist Gregg Lituchy, DDS, of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City says that the 3D Whitestrips Sensitive White Kit, which uses a lower concentration of peroxide, work really well on beneath-the-surface discoloration and won't cause sensitivity. Place the non-slip strips on teeth for 30 minutes each day for the full 14-day treatment that comes in the kit.
Editor Tip: No matter which whitening kit you choose, polishing your oral care routine is essential for a brighter smile (and overall dental hygiene). If you want to step up your regimen, head to our dental care guide for everything you need to give your teeth the TLC they deserve.
Product Type: Strips | Active Ingredients: hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of Use: 30 minutes daily
Best Whitening Toothpaste: Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste
Why It's Worth It: There are quite a few whitening toothpastes on the market, but if your teeth are particularly sensitive to the brightening additives in other formulas, the Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste is your best bet. Its potassium nitrate- and sodium fluoride-based formula is gentle on easily irritated teeth yet still provides the deep, breath-freshening cleanse you want from your daily toothpaste.
Editor Tip: Due to the abrasiveness of most whitening toothpastes, Miami-based board-certified dentist Oscar Sanchez, DDS recommends using this toothpaste two to three times weekly rather than daily. "It does contain fluoride, which helps protect enamel and potassium nitrate, a desensitizing ingredient," he adds.
Product Type: Toothpaste | Active Ingredients: Potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride | Frequency of Use: Twice daily
Best Peroxide-Free Treatment: Lumineux Whitening Strips
Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Lumineux's Whitening Strips is that each treatment only takes 30 minutes. Rather than utilizing sensitizing whitening ingredients like peroxides (which most whitening strips contain, according to the American Dental Association), Lumineux's strips give you a whiter, brighter smile and a fresher, cleaner feel through a combination of essential oils like antimicrobial lemon peel and coconut oils along with tooth-polishing sea salt. The result is whiter teeth by the time you empty this whitening treatment's 42-strip box.
Editor Tip: To enhance your results, we recommend using Lumineux's Teeth Whitening Mouthwash after brushing your teeth.
Product Type: Strips | Active Ingredients: Lemon peel oil, coconut oil, sea salt | Frequency of Use: 30 minutes daily
Best Teeth-Whitening Duo: Supersmile Professional Teeth Whitening System
Why It's Worth It: Dr. Wei says Supersmile's Professional Teeth Whitening System is one of the best duos on the market for its mild yet impressive formulation. "This system uses a gentle whitening accelerator to provide fast, safe, and effective whitening results without any sensitivity," he says. The whitening agent that Dr. Wei is referring to is the brand's proprietary Calprox, which is a silica-free derivative of calcium peroxide.
Editor Tip: To use this duo, the brand recommends applying pearl-sized dollops of both formulas on a dry toothbrush and brushing as per usual.
Product Type: Toothpaste, accelerator gel | Active Ingredients: Calcium peroxide, fluoride | Frequency of Use: Two minutes twice per day
Best Teeth-Whitening Gel: Go Smile Professional White Teeth Whitening Gel
Why It's Worth It: Mix a dab of Go Smile's Professional White Teeth Whitening Gel with your sensitive toothpaste and the peroxide-based formula will help fade stains over time. The combination of the two products simultaneously bleaches and scrubs teeth while preventing sensitivity.
Editor Tip: It's also worth noting that this gel is sulfate-free. This may sound like an odd call out for a teeth-whitening product, but Dr. Sclafani explains that sulfates are actually a common ingredient in both shampoo and toothpaste. "It is essentially the soap-like agent in many toothpastes," he says. “For many people, this is not an issue but for some, it can provoke an auto-immune response and cause irritation." He adds that sulfates can also strip oral tissues of their natural oils and hydration, resulting in localized irritation and inflammation. So check ingredient labels before you buy.
Product Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of Use: Twice daily
Pro-Level Teeth-Whitening Set: Smile Brilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Kit
Why It's Worth It: The Smile Brilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Kit will get you the closest to professional-level brightening without having to leave your home. Start by choosing either the sensitive or regular formula. From there, decide which of the three kit options you need based on your preferred level of stain-lifting: heavy, which comes with 27 applications, average (18), or light (9). Once your kit arrives, use the impression trays and paste that's included to create a mold of your teeth — the same way you would in the dentist's office. Ship the impressions back (postage is covered) and your custom whitening trays will be created. Once your trays arrive, fill each with the whitening and desensitizing gel, and place them on the teeth for around 30 minutes. Dr. Sclafani says that this type of customized tray is the best option for at-home whitening. "These custom trays properly fit the teeth and allow for better contact of the bleaching material with the tooth."
Editor Tip: As for the gel itself, Dr. Sclafani also notes that it's the level of peroxide that determines how potent the treatment will be and its potential to irritate teeth. "The highest, typically [have] 40 to 50% peroxide and requires to be worn 30 to 45 minutes per day." He notes. The lowest are typically 8 to 15% and require six to eight hours of use per day, or overnight. Dr. Sclafani says that as long as you wear the trays for the suggested time, both concentration options are equally as effective.
Product Type: Trays | Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of Use: 30 minutes per day to overnight, depending on the kit option
Best Teeth-Whitening Powder: Moon Dust Teeth Whitening Paste Booster
Why It's Worth It: Similar to Go Smile, the Moon Dust Teeth Whitening Paste Booster can be added to your regular brushing routine to scrub away stains. Dr. Sclafani recommends it but with caution. He says to use this type of product sparingly since the kaolin and bentonite clays in the powder may be too abrasive if used too often. The brand suggests using the treatment one to two times per week; however, if you have sensitive teeth, consider using it every few weeks or when you have deep, set-in stains. To use, add your toothpaste to your brush and then dip the brush head into the powder to coat.
Editor Tip: Not into the grittiness of a powder? Don't sweat it, because Moon also has a new gentle serum you're bound to love. The Luminous Shine Teeth Serum is a favorite amongst Allure editors (just ask our Shopping Market Editor Angela Trakoshis) for its brightness-boosting blend of urea peroxide and hydrogen peroxide and tooth-soothing ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory aloe vera extract.
Product Type: Powder | Active Ingredients: Kaolin clay, bentonite clay, white turmeric, sodium, bicarbonate | Frequency of Use: Twice per week
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you whiten sensitive teeth?
When there's a will, there's a way, and whitening your teeth with minimal to no sensitivity is possible. A rule of thumb is to check the concentration of each active ingredient featured in the product before buying it. "The sensitivity with whitening is mostly correlated with the percentage of the whitening gel, not the product itself," says Marc Sclafani, DDS, a board-certified dentist and co-founder of One Manhattan Dental in New York City. "Factors that may influence the development or extent of tooth sensitivity associated with bleaching include the concentration of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide and baking soda." The higher the level of these whitening agents in the formula, the more likely teeth are to experience sensitivity.
Kevin Sands, DDS, a board-certified cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, further explains what causes pain after a whitening procedure. "The ingredients essentially clean out the enamel pores where stain can deposit," he says. "In doing so, the pores can dry out for a few hours in which air or temperature fluctuations can flow easily through the pores to the nerves of the teeth," Dr. Sands explains. "This is pretty much inevitable in most effective whitening procedures."
Dr. Sclafani says that these most commonly whiten teeth with ingredients that scrub away surface stains — they don't penetrate or bleach teeth. He says that this method isn't truly "whitening" your teeth, but it's a worthwhile daily solution for diminishing discoloration over time.
Are there any over-the-counter teeth whiteners safe for sensitive teeth?
Sensitive teeth sufferers may be thinking that neither bleaching nor brushing sounds like a worthwhile whitening risk. Luckily, there are alternatives that can get teeth looking brighter with little to no sensation. There are many over-the-counter options for those with sensitive teeth to explore. Keep in mind, however, that these surface-level cleaners aren't designed for prolonged use as they can exacerbate sensitivity. "The abrasiveness can irritate your gum tissue and abrade the surface of your tooth," Dr. Sclafani points out. "This irritation can result in sensitivity on both the hard and soft tissues of your mouth." So prepare to cycle your whitening toothpaste out every few weeks for a non-whitening formula.
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Meet the Experts
- Marc Sclafani, DDS, a board-certified dentist and co-founder of One Manhattan Dental in New York City
- Michael J. Wei, DDS, a New York City-based board-certified dentist
- Gregg Lituchy, DDS, a board-certified cosmetic dentist of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City
- Kevin Sands, DDS, a board-certified cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills
Brush up your dental care routine with more Allure-approved finds:
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