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The 10 Best Teeth-Whitening Pens Of 2023

Dentists say they're better for sensitive teeth.

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Achieving white teeth can be tricky. Sure, you can use all the straws in the world to avoid coffee strains and brush your teeth twice a day, but your teeth may still not be the white hue you want. And while there are so many teeth whitening methods out there, one that you should consider is using a teeth whitening pen.

"Whitening pens are very affordable, even compared to OTC whitening strips, and in-office products and procedures," says Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD, founder of Skin to Smile. "They are extremely simple to use and do not require more than one to two minutes to apply on all the teeth."

Another bonus: Whitening pens allow for more controlled application. "They are very precise, and the whitening solution will only be applied to your teeth, avoiding your gums and any other areas of your mouth," adds Dr. Gonchar. "Whitening pens can be used on individual teeth as opposed to whitening strips that will be applied to your entire mouth."

And if you have sensitive teeth, or teeth whitening tends to make your teeth even more sensitive, teeth whitening pens are a great option. "The concentration of the whitening solution is significantly less compared to other OTC products and in-office products which will result in less tooth sensitivity post-whitening," says Dr. Gonchar.

Not to mention you can use them anywhere. "The main benefit of teeth whitening pens is the convenience," says Dr. Brian Harris, DDS/DMD, lead medical advisor at SNOW® and Frost Oral Care. "Because it is portable and able to fit in your pocket or purse, you can take it with you wherever you go."

But one thing to keep in mind: They're not necessarily the most effective method to whiten your teeth. "They are about as effective as using a whitening mouth rinse," says Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, CEO of TruGlo Modern Dental.

If you really want the most effective treatment, she suggests laser teeth whitening. "Not only does laser teeth whitening produce fast results, but it is also the safest treatment plan," she says.

But when shopping for an effective teeth whitening pen, you should look for a few common ingredients including hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. "You want to make sure the product you purchase has at least one of these whitening ingredients or a combination of the two," says Dr. Gonchar.

She adds that other ingredients to look out for are potassium nitrate, which is a powerful desensitizer, and sodium fluoride, which also has desensitizing properties and prevents the formation of cavities. "Some ingredients to try to avoid in whitening pens is polyethylene glycol, which is touted as a cleansing agent, and diethanolamine," she adds.

And yes, you can use teeth whitening pens daily. Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS, cosmetic dentist in New York City, notes that teeth whitening pens should be used once a day, for five to seven days to see some type of results.

If you don't notice any sensitivity, you can even use them more than once a day. "The important thing is to minimize the amount that you ingest and to stop using if you notice any negative side effects to the teeth or gums," Dr. Snow says. "Using a whitening pen two to three times a day is okay as long as the gel is not as strong as traditional whitening agents."

In the market for a new teeth whitening pen? Here are 10 of the best teeth whitening pens to try.

1
Best Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Colgate Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
1
Best Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Colgate Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Now 20% Off
$20 at Amazon$38 at Walmart
Pros
  • Only has 4 ingredients
  • Designed for overnight
  • Easy application
Cons
  • Doesn't have carbamide peroxide

The active ingredient in this pen is hydrogen peroxide, and it was designed for you to put on before bed and wear through the night, making it super easy to whiten your teeth without having to worry about re-applying.

2
Best Precision Teeth Whitening Pen

ARC ARC On-The-Go Teeth Whitening Pen

ARC On-The-Go Teeth Whitening Pen
2
Best Precision Teeth Whitening Pen

ARC ARC On-The-Go Teeth Whitening Pen

Now 35% Off
Pros
  • Contains both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide
  • Mint flavor
  • Precision brush
Cons
  • Have to use twice a day

Instead of a wide application brush, this teeth whitening pen has a more narrow one for more precise application. It also contains a combo of hydrogen peroxide and carbomer for effective whitening. And the mint flavor is a nice touch.

3
Best Quick Results Teeth Whitening Pen

iBaste iBaste Teeth Whitening Pen

iBaste Teeth Whitening Pen
3
Best Quick Results Teeth Whitening Pen

iBaste iBaste Teeth Whitening Pen

Pros
  • 3-pack
  • Quick results
  • Contains hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide
Cons
  • Brush not super accurate

One of the best things about these hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide teeth whitening pens is that the brand claims you only need to apply it for one minute everyday to get results. And the peppermint oil also leaves a minty taste.

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4
Best Affordable Teeth Whitening Pen + LED Light Kit

SmileDirectClub SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light
4
Best Affordable Teeth Whitening Pen + LED Light Kit

SmileDirectClub SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

Now 37% Off
Pros
    Cons
    • Requires LED light

    This hydrogen peroxide-based teeth whitening set comes with four mini pens and an LED light accelerator that you use twice a day for five minutes for one week to see sped up results. And those results last up to six months, according to the brand.

    5
    Best Celeb-Backed Teeth Whitening Pen

    MOON Teeth Whitening Pen - Elixir III by Kendall Jenner

    Teeth Whitening Pen - Elixir III by Kendall Jenner
    5
    Best Celeb-Backed Teeth Whitening Pen

    MOON Teeth Whitening Pen - Elixir III by Kendall Jenner

    Pros
    • Celebrity-endorsed and created
    • Vegan
    • Carbomer
    Cons
    • No hydrogen peroxide

    Kendall Jenner co-created this teeth whitening pen. It is vegan thanks to key ingredients like lavender, strawberry, and honeysuckle flower extracts. (It has carbamide peroxide, but no hydrogen peroxide.) Plus, it has a vanilla mint flavor that is sooo nice.

    6
    Best Luxury Teeth Whitening Pen + LED Light Kit

    SNOW SNOW Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

    SNOW Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light
    6
    Best Luxury Teeth Whitening Pen + LED Light Kit

    SNOW SNOW Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light

    Pros
    • Contains both carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide
    • 4 pens
    • LED light
    Cons
    • Pricey

    If you want to spend a little more for a teeth whitening pen and LED kit, this one is a great option. It has four pens (three whitening wands and one extra-strength whitening wand) that you use with the LED light for nine minutes a day. Each kit gets 75 sessions, so you do get a good bang for your buck.

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    7
    Best for Sensitive Teeth Whitening Pen

    AURAGLOW Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen

    Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
    7
    Best for Sensitive Teeth Whitening Pen

    AURAGLOW Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen

    Pros
    • Contains carbamide peroxide
    • Good for sensitive teeth
    • Convenient aluminum tube
    Cons
    • Not tons of product in pen

    Sensitive teeth are a total roadblock when it comes to whitening, but this pen from Auraglow helps solve for that thanks to its carbamide peroxide, which works over time. It can be used one to two times per day for just one minute, and each pen contains 20+ treatments.

    8
    Best One-Month Teeth Whitening Pen Kit

    Soniultra Soniultra Teeth Whitening Pen

    Soniultra Teeth Whitening Pen
    8
    Best One-Month Teeth Whitening Pen Kit

    Soniultra Soniultra Teeth Whitening Pen

    Pros
    • Contain carbomer
    • 1-month supply
    • Can be used overnight
    Cons
    • No hydrogen peroxide

    These whitening pens contain carbamide peroxide to get your teeth super white. You use these twice a day for a week to see results, and the four-pack contains a month's supply. And you can use it overnight (the brand suggests applying 30 minutes before bed).

    9
    Best Teeth Whitening Pen + Blue Light Pen Kit

    Go Smile Glow on the Go Teeth Whitening Pen

    Glow on the Go Teeth Whitening Pen
    9
    Best Teeth Whitening Pen + Blue Light Pen Kit

    Go Smile Glow on the Go Teeth Whitening Pen

    Pros
    • Blue light pen
    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • Alert system
    Cons
    • Blue light pen not great for on-the-go

    If you don't like the idea of using an LED light mouthpiece, you might love Go Smile's blue light pen instead. It's a refillable device paired with a hydrogen peroxide-based teeth whitening pen that you apply twice a day for best results. The pen also beeps every 30 seconds to alert you it's time to cover other teeth.

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    10

    GLO Science GLO Science Glo To Go Teeth Whitening Pen

    GLO Science Glo To Go Teeth Whitening Pen
    10

    GLO Science GLO Science Glo To Go Teeth Whitening Pen

    Pros
    • No rinsing
    • Cinnamint flavor
    • Twice a day application
    Cons

      This pen allows you to apply your whitener twice a day and leave it on to try—no rinsing or spitting required after. The brand recommends applying it two times a day for two weeks to see results.

      Headshot of Emily Shiffer
      Emily Shiffer
      Freelance Writer

      Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.

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