Professional in-office teeth whitening treatments can cost a lot. Not only are treatments expensive and often painful thanks to harsh chemicals and bleaches, but they are also time-consuming. Take-home trays made by dentists can save some time and money (users still have to visit their dentist to be fitted for the trays), but these treatments can still be pricey. Thankfully, there are at-home natural and professional-grade teeth whitening options for those who want to get their pearly whites shining without aggravating their sensitive teeth and enduring the high cost and time commitment of visiting a dental office.
At-home teeth whiteners are affordable, easy to use and can improve the look of your teeth in just a few applications. With the ability to remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, cigarettes, and more, teeth whitening systems can not only give you a whiter smile, but they can also help to improve your oral health by stripping your teeth of stains that can cause bad breath.
We’ve included two charcoal teeth whiteners below because of their natural makeup and gentle effects on teeth that are sensitive. Activated charcoal whitens teeth by ‘absorption,’ a process that pulls stains off the teeth. Both charcoal teeth whiteners we’ve included below used coconut charcoal because it’s the purest form of food-grade charcoal and therefore the safest and most effective for use in teeth whitening.
With all three teeth whitening options below we recommend following the use guidelines. Even the most natural teeth whiteners can still be abrasive and rough on teeth and gums, which is why using them frequently isn’t recommended. Regular dental checkups are also a necessary part of oral health and we always advise checking with your dentist before starting any whitening regimen.
If you’re ready to get the Hollywood smile you’ve always wanted, try our top three pics for the best at-home teeth whiteners.
1. Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder
The bestselling charcoal teeth whitening powder on the market, Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder is an all-natural teeth whitener that won’t cause discomfort for users with sensitive teeth.
Pros: Applied with a toothbrush, customers can see results in as little as two applications. Active Wow removes common stains like coffee, wine, and cigarettes by using Bentonite, which remineralizes teeth and absorbs toxins, and orange seed oil, a natural teeth whitener.
Cons: Customers may find it difficult to get the charcoal out of teeth after each use.
2. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
Using light-activated technology, the AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit can display professional quality whitening results after just one use.
Pros: The kit includes a whitening light, two gel syringes with 35% carbamide peroxide, a mouth tray, and a retainer case, with enough materials for 20 applications. The kit comes with a battery-controlled beeper that tells customers when their whitening session is complete. The mouth tray is universal and doesn’t have to be molded for individual use, with the tray large enough to whiten both the top and bottom teeth at the same time.
Cons: Users must abstain from eating or drinking for one hour after application.
3. Cali White Activated Charcoal and Coconut Oil Toothpaste
Made in the USA and safe for children, the Cali White Activated Charcoal and Coconut Oil is a vegan, gluten-free, peroxide free and paraben free natural tooth whitener.
Pros: With an ingredient list that includes activated charcoal, certified organic coconut oil, and baking soda, all of which help to detoxify the mouth and remineralize teeth, Cali White is a great option for replacing your current toothpaste entirely.
Cons: Like Active Wow, Cali White also leaves a black residue in the sink.