The Best Teeth Whitening Pens for On-the-Go Brightening

Nov 07, 2024

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We tested over 20 brands and found the best teeth whitening pens to brighten your smile gradually and gently.

Jaylyn Pruitt has been working with Dotdash Meredith since May 2019 and is currently a commerce writer for Health where she writes about health and wellness products.

Brian T. Luong, DMD, is an orthodontist at Anaheim Hills Orthodontics and Santa Ana Orthodontics and Chief Dental Officer at Become Aligners.

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

In This Article

Health / Jessica Juliao

If you’re looking for an easy, mess-free way to brighten your smile, teeth whitening pens are an excellent option. These portable, easy-to-use teeth whiteners are perfect for targeting stains and brightening on the go because you can apply the whitening formula precisely where you need it.

Teeth whitening pens work by applying a whitening serum with a peroxide formulation—either hydrogen or carbamide—directly onto the teeth. The peroxide gels break down into water, oxygen, and reactive oxygen molecules, targeting both enamel and dentin to oxidize stain molecules and brighten teeth, explains Bianca Velayo, DMD, Dentist at Green Valley Smiles Dentistry. Whitening pens often have lower peroxide concentrations, so they’ll take longer to show visible results, she adds.

Whether you’re concerned with sensitivity or need fast results, we tested 20 top brands of teeth-whitening pens to identify the best options available. Each pen was evaluated based on its ingredients, whitening duration, application ease, and speed of results. In addition, a board-certified dentist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

As an Editor at Health, specializing in dental and body care, I have reviewed countless at-home teeth whitening products. One of my personal favorites is whitening pens for their convenience and cost-effectiveness. Since I am primarily interested in touch-ups and gradual improvement, the Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is my top choice. It’s designed to work while you sleep, allowing me to wake up feeling like I’ve made progress without adding extra steps to my daytime routine.

—Lauren Paige Richeson, Commerce Editor

The Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen impressed us with its convenience and effective whitening, making it our top choice for its ease of application and fast, noticeable results.

The setup was straightforward, requiring about 24 clicks initially to get the gel flowing and just 1-2 clicks for each section afterward. Applying the gel before bed was easy, and since it’s designed for overnight use, it’s perfect for a quick, hassle-free routine. We dried our teeth with a tissue, applied the gel, and held our mouth open for 30 seconds to let it set—much easier than bulky, messy whitening strips. We noticed a brief cooling sensation on our sensitive teeth during the application, but it wasn’t uncomfortable and faded quickly.

Within a week, we saw a visible difference in our smile, going from a B2 to a B1 shade. Even with daily tea and the occasional glass of red wine, our teeth maintained their new brightness, and others noticed, too! At only $20, this pen is an excellent value for the results it delivers.

The VieBeauti Teeth Whitening Pen is the perfect blend of affordability, effectiveness, and ease of use, making it a great choice for anyone looking to brighten their smile without breaking the bank.

This pen is gentle yet effective. Its active ingredient is carbamide peroxide, which makes it less irritating for people with sensitivity issues. Other ingredients include glycerin, potassium sorbate, and polysorbate 20, which can effectively remove years' worth of stains.

The quick application process took about a minute and was easily integrated into our daily dental care. After only a week, our teeth brightened by 1-2 shades, enhancing our confidence, especially in photographs. The package includes three pens for under $16, each lasting several weeks, which is a spectacular value for the effectiveness.

The Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen impressed us with its ability to deliver fast, visible results. We noticed our teeth looking whiter within two days, and friends and family even commented on the improvement within the first week. It even improved the appearance of a greyish tooth and whitened between teeth better than strips.

Incorporating the pen into our routine was easy. Initially, our gums tingled with a minty sensation, but this subsided with regular use. Though recommended for twice daily use over three weeks, we felt less frequent use would still be effective. The gel quantity was generous, easily lasting beyond the recommended three-week usage.

The Lumineux Bright Pen provides a gentle yet effective whitening solution that avoids the common issue of increased sensitivity or irritation, making it an ideal choice for those who want a brighter smile without discomfort.

Peroxide—either hydrogen or carbamide—is the active ingredient in most whitening products, but it can lead to tooth sensitivity. Lumineux, a fan-favorite whitening company, makes all its products without peroxide. Instead, they use a combination of essential oils to provide results—without any chemical taste you get from most whitening products.

Using the pen was straightforward: just twist, apply, and go. It was so easy that we could do it without a mirror. The pen's precise brush allowed for effortless application, reaching every part of our teeth without any mess. We had to wait 30 minutes after application before eating or drinking. Within two weeks, we noticed our teeth becoming a shade lighter, enhancing our confidence in our smile. We didn’t experience any sensitivity or irritation, a welcome change from our past experiences with teeth-whitening products. The pack included two pens, offering excellent value for a single purchase or a $10 discount with a subscription.

The Polar Teeth Whitening Pen is the best no-rinse option, offering a convenient whitening process that seamlessly integrates into your morning routine, eliminating the need for a separate rinsing step and making it an ideal choice for those seeking simplicity and efficiency in their teeth whitening regimen.

To use the pen, you just brush the gel onto your teeth, wait 60 seconds for drying, and then leave it on for an hour. The pen made our teeth four shades lighter after about three weeks, even receiving positive remarks from our dentist.

During our testing, we didn’t notice any teeth or gum sensitivity while the gel was applied, but we did observe a slight increase in gum sensitivity after a month, possibly due to more frequent brushing. Each pen lasted over a month, offering great value.

The Tarte Pearly Girl Teeth Whitening Pen is our choice for an easy-to-use, portable whitening solution. It's an excellent pick for touch-ups and brightening your smile while traveling, especially after consuming staining beverages or for a quick boost before important events.

This pen was about the size of a lip gloss, so it fits easily in any bag we carried. Using it in public bathrooms was straightforward, without feeling too self-conscious. Throughout our testing, the pen worked consistently well. We appreciated that it didn’t increase our tooth sensitivity or cause irritation. While we didn’t notice a dramatic whitening effect—our teeth were already fairly white from recent whitening strips—the pen was excellent for maintaining a whiter smile on the go.

The Crest 3D White Teeth Whitening Pen is the perfect quick touch-up tool to keep teeth bright between more intensive treatments. We appreciated its ease of use and clear instructions. We incorporated it into our morning routine, using it twice daily after breakfast and brushing. The cooling, minty sensation was more comfortable than regular strips, which is great for sensitive teeth. However, the one-hour wait before eating or drinking anything was occasionally challenging.We noticed a subtle improvement after using it twice daily for a week. While it doesn't deliver dramatic results like whitening strips, it's perfect for upkeep, especially for someone who already has relatively white teeth.

The requirement to avoid eating or drinking for an hour after each application can be inconvenient.

The SNOW Diamond Whitening Serum is a must-have for coffee drinkers because it noticeably reduces yellowing without causing major sensitivity. It's our top pick for anyone looking for a quick, effective way to combat stains and everyday discoloration.

The application process is straightforward: twist the pen, apply the gel with the brush, and let it dry for about a minute. Unlike traditional whitening strips, which often caused our teeth to become quite sensitive, the SNOW pen was gentler, and we only noticed slight gum sensitivity once.

After five applications, we saw a visible improvement in our teeth color. This pen effectively brightened our smile, helping our teeth better match the color of a veneer we’ve had for years. SNOW also offers an LED kit you can purchase separately, which we imagine could help boost the serum’s effectiveness.

Health

Based on our recent testing, we've made changes to keep this story fresh and updated with our best recommendations.

Choosing the right teeth whitening solution can be overwhelming. That’s why we have spent 50 hours testing 20 popular brands of teeth whitening pens to identify products that deliver real results. We began testing by recording our tooth shades before using whitening products and comparing them after two and four weeks. Each pen was applied once in the lab per the manufacturer's instructions, followed by a month of at-home use. After this period, we evaluated the pens based on:

We consulted multiple dental experts to understand key aspects of teeth whitening pens, including expected results, functionality, and the primary beneficiaries of using them.

Peroxides are the most important active ingredients in teeth whitening pens.

For optimal results, teeth whitening pens should generally be used once daily for a few weeks or as directed on the product label. Overuse can lead to sensitivity or gum irritation, so it’s best to follow the recommended frequency and take breaks if you experience discomfort. For maintenance, occasional touch-ups may be all you need to keep your smile bright.

The level of whitening achieved varies depending on the concentration of peroxide and the duration of application. Many products claim to whiten teeth by up to 8 shades, but these are often misleading. In reality, at-home whiteners, including pens, usually lighten teeth by only about three shades. Dr. Varone explains that while touch-ups can provide immediate results, they may not be as dramatic as those from other treatments.

Teeth whitening pens are generally safe when used as directed, though they may cause temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation in some users. Dr. Yazdani advises only using products with a peroxide percentage of 10% or less—anything higher increases the risk of damaging tooth enamel. Also, look for products with American Dental Association (ADA) approval or a reputable brand, and avoid overuse, as frequent application can lead to enamel erosion over time. As always, consult with a dentist if you have concerns, especially if you have dental restorations, sensitive teeth, or a history of oral health issues.

We tested these teeth whitening pens but chose not to include them due to shortcomings in ease of use, comfort, effectiveness, convenience, and value.

Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She also writes for her blog, The Daley Dose.

Jaylyn Pruitt covers teeth whitening products for Health and Verywell Health. She uses the Crest Whitening Emulsions Pen for quick touch-ups in between whitening treatments. She has a Master of Library and Information Science with a focus on health information.

Gasmi Benahmed A, Gasmi A, Menzel A, et al. A review on natural teeth whitening. J Oral Biosci. 2022;64(1):49-58. doi:10.1016/j.job.2021.12.002