These 7 Teeth Whitening Pens Make Brightening Touch-Ups Easy (2024)

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Out of all the teeth whitening pens we tested, this is the one that impressed us the most. The pack comes with three pens, and it is quite affordable, making it an accessible option for most people. The pen functions as advertised: It has a soft brush-tip applicator that’s easy to control and can get into crevices between teeth to ensure you achieve even coverage. The rinse-free formula and application make it a product you can use easily while traveling or as a fast addition to your morning and nighttime routines. A minor but nice detail is that the pen which holds the gel is transparent, allowing you to see how much product is left.

As for the results it delivers, these also impressed us. We saw a noticeable improvement in the whiteness of teeth—about four shades—after using it twice daily as directed for just one week. The one downside is that it can cause minor sensitivity if you get the gel on your gums, but this is typical for whitening products, and if you’re careful while applying it with the brush, this shouldn’t be a big issue for you.

Active Ingredients: 35% carbamide peroxide | Treatment Length: 30 seconds, twice daily

If you’re looking for a whitening pen to quickly remove surface stains and brighten your smile, this one is for you. The intuitive pen is fast and easy to apply, and we were incredibly pleased with how well it worked to remove stains and brighten teeth overall. We were able to lighten teeth four shades after using it twice daily for two weeks, though we saw a noticeable improvement in just a few days. The formula utilizes the power of hydrogen peroxide to lighten staining, and we appreciated that it didn’t cause sensitivity in the teeth or gums.

We did experience a bit of a funny aftertaste in the few minutes following application, but this isn’t unusual for whitening products, and it went away shortly after. We also like that the pen features a brush-tip applicator, which helps to evenly distribute the serum and get into the crevices between the teeth. Plus, after using it as directed, there was still plenty of product left in the pen that could be used for touch-ups down the line.

Active Ingredients: 5.25% hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: Twice daily for two weeks

Whitening your teeth doesn’t need to cost a fortune. This teeth whitening pen isn’t just highly effective—it’s super affordable, too. Though it’s not as convenient or pleasant to use as other options on this list, its effectiveness and affordability make it a product we still recommend. Rather than swiping it on and going about your day, you need to apply it with the brush (which is great for evenly coating your teeth), keep your mouth open while it dries for 60 seconds, and then let the gel sit for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing your mouth. Because of this application process, it’s not ideal for use on the go, but the results make it worth it. After using it consistently for three weeks, we noticed a real improvement in the whiteness of our teeth; our dentist even commented on how white and bright our teeth looked. If affordability and effectiveness are of the utmost importance to you, this option is worth checking out.

Active Ingredients: Carbamide peroxide | Treatment Length: 60 seconds for gel to dry, 30 minutes minimum on teeth

Tooth and gum sensitivity from teeth whitening products is no joke—if you’ve experienced it, then you know just how painful it can be. If you’re prone to sensitivity, we recommend checking out this option from Lumineux. We’ve experienced severe discomfort from whitening products in the past but had absolutely no sensitivity while using this product consistently for two weeks. The gel was comfortable and effective; we saw a visible improvement in staining by the end of our test. It was simple and intuitive to apply and could be easily used on the go. Although the results were not as dramatic with this option as with others we used, and it took the full two-week period to see a visible difference, we still highly recommend it for anyone with sensitive teeth looking to lighten staining.

Active Ingredients: Carboxymethyl | Treatment Length: 60 seconds

This whitening pen isn’t just effective; it’s affordable, easy to use, and comes in multiple flavors. It features a brush-tip applicator for simple and fast application and a formula containing hydrogen peroxide to effectively remove surface stains and help you achieve a whiter smile. The pen comes with a lot of gel, meaning it will last you quite some time—after using it twice daily for two weeks, there was still tons of product left.

After using it as directed for two weeks, we observed a noticeable improvement in the appearance of surface stains and the overall brightness of the teeth. The improvement in staining was even noticeable after just a few days. While it caused a bit of minor sensitivity on the gums, it dissipated quickly after each use and didn’t happen after the first few days. Aside from being affordable and highly effective, we also adore that it comes in a variety of fun flavors like winterberry, melon, and vanilla mint. If you’re anti-mint flavoring, now you’ve got options.

Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: 2-4 times daily

If you’re looking for a product to help you dramatically whiten your teeth overall, this whitening pen isn’t going to be your best bet. But if you’re looking for a product to keep with you and utilize when you’re in need of some stain removal, we absolutely recommend it. It’s compact and easy to swipe onto your teeth, it doesn’t cause sensitivity or discomfort, and it works to maintain a bright smile and lighten staining from things like red wine and coffee. It’s gentle enough to be used up to four times daily, and it takes just a few seconds to apply and 30 seconds while waiting for it to dry before you can move on with your day. Did it produce the most dramatic results out of the options we tested? No. But was it effective at lightening stains, super compact, and painless to use? Absolutely.

Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: 30 seconds up to 4x daily

It’s not abnormal for your teeth to have uneven discoloration. For example, the roots might be more yellow or deeper in color than the tips. If this sounds like you, we recommend trying this pen from Invisalign. In addition to being fast and easy to use, we found it to be very effective at enhancing the brightness of teeth overall while helping to make the color more uniform. We had been insecure about the areas near our roots looking pretty yellow, so we were thrilled that after using this pen twice daily for three weeks, we saw a visible improvement in the evenness and color of our teeth. We did experience a bit of sensitivity when using this one, and the pen felt a bit finicky at times when it came to dispensing the gel, but considering how well it worked and how affordable it is, these minor cons aren’t dealbreakers for us.

Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Treatment Length: 30 seconds up to 4x daily

Watch Us Test the Best Teeth Whitener Pens

FAQ

• How do teeth whitening pens work?

  Whitening pens use carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (the same active ingredients found in whitening strips) to bleach the teeth. "In order for teeth to whiten, the peroxide must maintain direct contact on the surface of the teeth,” explains Avalene Roberts, a dental hygienist and dental expert. “This is why dental whitening trays, strips, and in-office whitening work best," she adds. However, when you apply the gel on dry teeth and leave it on for a period undisturbed, a whitening pen will have a chance to work on brightening your teeth. Pens might not be as effective as other whitening options, but they’re convenient and great for brightening staining and minor discoloration.

• Are teeth whitening pens safe?

  Bleaching your teeth with an at-home treatment, like a whitening pen, is generally safe. As mentioned above, most options on the market contain either carbamide peroxide (a combination of urea and hydrogen peroxide) or just hydrogen peroxide. Depending on the concentration, these active ingredients might cause some sensitivity, but they're generally considered safe for teeth whitening. While they’re generally safe, Kantor suggests that you consult a dentist before trying any whitening or bleaching products. "You don't want to bleach your teeth if there is decay present, and kids are not candidates for bleaching," he adds.

1. Kelleher MG, Roe FJ. The safety-in-use of 10% carbamide peroxide (Opalescence) for bleaching teeth under the supervision of a dentist. Br Dent J. 1999 Aug 28;187(4):190-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4800237. PMID: 10513112.