03-04-2025
The Best Whitening Products For Sensitive Teeth That Minimize Discomfort
How can you tell which are the best whitening products for sensitive teeth? One important measure is that they use a lower percentage of active ingredients to minimize discomfort. Whitening products with a higher concentration may produce more visible results, but the formula can be too strong for those with dental sensitivity. After extensive research, we chose Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive as the best product overall; it's affordable, easy to use and has about half the peroxide content of the original version. Sensodyne's Extra Whitening Toothpaste is another convenient option that offers enamel and cavity protection.
The best whitening products for sensitive teeth use lower percentages of active ingredients to ... More minimize discomfort.
When choosing whitening products, two of the most important considerations are the delivery (for example, strips, gels or molded trays) and concentration. 'The concentration of active ingredients significantly affects whitening results,' says Dr. David Wagner, a cosmetic dentist in L.A. 'It's a best practice for people with sensitive teeth to go low and slow, meaning use a low concentration gel over 3-4 weeks for shorter application time, even skipping days to reduce sensitivity.' Want to know more? Read on for our choices of the best whitening products for sensitive teeth, from strips to toothpaste to devices for a complete oral care routine.
Amazon
Product type: Strips | Active ingredient: 5.25% hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of use: 30 minutes daily
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Whitening strips are an easy, 'low lift' way to whiten and brighten. (The Forbes Vetted team also ranked the original version of these Crest 3D strips as one of the best teeth whitening products.) This product is formulated with hydrogen peroxide, a common active ingredient in over-the-counter whitening treatments, but it has a lower concentration that gently improves surface level staining.
Amazon
Product type: Strips | Active ingredients: Coconut oil, sage oil, citrus lemon peel oil, Dead Sea salt | Frequency of use: 30 minutes daily for one week
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Although peroxide is safe for sensitive teeth in lower concentrations, it may still trigger some sensitivity. As an alternative, the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips use natural ingredients like coconut oil, sage oil and citrus lemon peel oil to provide long-lasting results. 'Whitening strips can deliver much better results since the whitening material is in contact with the teeth much longer than whitening toothpaste,' says Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, founder and CEO of Lumineux. Like the Crest Whitestrips, apply the strips for 30 minutes daily for four days, then reduce the frequency to once a week thereafter.
Amazon
Product type: Toothpaste | Active ingredients: Potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride | Frequency of use: Twice daily
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While toothpaste will have less dramatic results than strips or trays because it isn't in contact with your teeth for as long, it works well with other whitening products. The Potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride work to remove surface stains while calming the nerves within the tooth. This toothpaste also protects the enamel, prevents tartar buildup, and protects against cavities and tooth decay.
Amazon
Product type: Gel | Active ingredient: 6% hydrogen peroxide | Frequency of use: Three times per day
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This whitening system is convenient and doesn't cause any sensitivity, thanks to the low peroxide concentration. This gel comes in small, squeezable vials with a brush tip for precise application without a mess. Each portable Glo vial has three to four applications, and an airtight seal keeps it from spilling. Plus, it comes with a hydrating lip balm.
Snow
Product type: LED mouthpiece | Active ingredient: Hydroxyapatite, carbamide peroxide | Frequency of use: Daily for 9 minutes
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This effective whitening system is one of the quickest ways to whiten and brighten your teeth at home. The active ingredients include hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral that can help restore your enamel, and carbamide peroxide, a derivative of hydrogen peroxide that releases at a slower rate. After brushing your teeth, apply the Snow serum and insert the USB-powered LED mouthpiece for a nine-minute treatment. The kit also includes a shade guide to track your whitening progress throughout the 3-week treatment.
Moon Beauty
Product type: Gel | Active ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Frequency of use: Twice daily
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The Moon Teeth Whitening Pen uses carbamide peroxide and a proprietary blend of essential oils and extracts—including lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract and honeysuckle flower extract—to gently whiten without sensitivity or pain. The formula also includes light-reflecting pigments for an immediate brightening effect. Another benefit? The simple design can be used on the go and easily fits into a small purse or handbag.
At Forbes Vetted, we've researched and written dozens of stories on personal care products, including the best teeth whitening strips, best teeth whitening kits and more.
To narrow down our options for the best whitening products for sensitive teeth, we tapped into our deep market knowledge and extensive testing experience, highlighting products and brands that whiten and brighten without discomfort.
When shopping for a whitener for sensitive teeth, the most important considerations are the whitening agent and the concentration. After consulting with three experts, here's what to look for.
'The most common active ingredient in whitening products is peroxide, which can either be hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide,' says Dr. Kevin Sands, a cosmetic dentist in L.A. 'Hydrogen peroxide quickly breaks down any discoloration and it tends to be a more effective agent, while carbamide peroxide releases both hydrogen peroxide and urea when it comes in contact with water.' Hydrogen peroxide requires less contact time with your teeth. In contrast, carbamide peroxide has more of an 'extended release' approach and requires about 4 to 6 hours of contact time. 'These ingredients effectively bleach the tooth enamel to lift stains,' says Wagner. Other active ingredients that you might see are coconut oil, lemon peel oil and sage oil.
Our experts agree that the concentration of the active ingredient directly correlates to the results. 'Whitening products with a higher active ingredient concentration result in a more powerful formula and more visible results. On the other hand, whitening products with a lower active ingredient concentration can still produce optimal results, but it will take a bit longer to see a difference,' says Sands. When in doubt, consult your dentist, who can best advise you on the ideal concentration or product for your needs.
Whitening products come in strips, gels, toothpastes, mouthwashes, molded trays and LED mouthpieces. Products directly applied to the teeth for extended periods, like strips and gels, are typically more effective than toothpaste, which isn't in contact with your teeth for very long. Toothpaste and mouthwash can offer subtle results when used consistently and work best with other whitening methods. They can also prolong the results of whitening strips and trays.
After extensive research, we deemed the Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive the best teeth whitening product for sensitive teeth. It contains about half the peroxide content of the original (5.25%) to lift stains from the tooth, and it's uncomplicated to use; there are no trays or mess when applying. The affordable price also makes it easy to re-purchase if you need to touch up the results down the road.
Yes, even with sensitive teeth, you can use whitening products. Make sure you look for a formula with a lower concentration of the active ingredients or natural extracts like coconut oil and lemon peel oil. 'When choosing a whitening product for sensitive teeth, opt for formulations specifically designed for sensitivity, such as those containing potassium nitrate or nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp),' says Wagner.
The Moon Teeth Whitening Pen is the best option as it uses carbamide peroxide and a proprietary blend of essential oils and extracts to whiten teeth effectively. The formula also includes light-reflecting pigments that add a brightening effect the minute you swipe this gel on.
