10 Best Ways To Brighten Your Smile When The Dentist Is Closed

If you’re anything like us and have a love/hate relationship with going to the dentist, then Purean’s teeth whitening kit may be the answer to your prayers. The whitening gel formula (consisting of 35% carbamide peroxide) is paired with a patented PRO+ LED light to give you the ultimate at-home teeth cleaning experience. Say goodbye to spending hundreds of dollars on whiter teeth—each kit is just $49. After wearing the mouth tray for 30 minutes, you’ll notice whiter teeth and a brighter smile. Combat coffee/wine/tea/cola stains with a vengeance once and for all with this miracle-working whitening system. One Amazon customer raves, “I bought this for my husband who has a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, he’s a big tea drinker so he has some stains. Teeth whitening at the dentist is crazy expensive so I thought this was worth a shot. Much to my surprise it really worked. It was easy to use, the taste wasn’t bad, and the mouthpiece was comfortable. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to brighten up their smile.”

Yes, a teeth whitening kit that’s powered by your smartphone exists and yes, it’s every bit as cool as it sounds. Meet Smile Direct Club, the popular treatment that uses a 20-bulb LED light (which plugs directly into your phone) to brighten your teeth. Not only does its plug-in light and its compact size make it incredibly convenient for on-the-go whitening, but reviewers also like that the pens—which you use to paint the gel onto your teeth—make the process easy and mess-free. Not that you’ll have to repeat said process too many times—just one week of whitening (five minutes twice a day in the morning and at night) will yield stunning results that can last up to six months.

No list of the best teeth whitening kits would be complete without the OG of them all: Crest Whitestrips. And the popular kit (it’s the number one dentist-recommended brand!) has gotten a few upgrades since it first came out—like this Glamorous White version, which Crest claims brightens teeth 25 times better than the average whitening toothpaste. It comes with 14 strips (for your upper and lower teeth) plus two bonus One-Hour Express strips for when you need a quick touch-up. Bonus: With a no-slip grip, you can wear your whitestrips while you wash the dishes or chase your kiddos around the house without worrying about them falling off or sliding around.

If you want the red carpet-ready smile of your favorite celeb (hello, Blake Lively!), consider this teeth whitening kit, which was created by dentist to the stars Dr. Jonathan Levine. What makes Glo so special (besides the sleek carrying case, USB-charging mouthpiece, and sensitivity-safe formula)? The fact that it’s the only teeth whitening treatment that uses heat along with LED light to brighten those pearly whites, which accelerates the process even further. It also helps that Glo is super easy to use, according to Amazon shoppers. The brush has a fine tip that allows you to apply the gel accurately to even the most hard-to-reach spots and it doesn’t require any rinsing when you’re finished—just brush and go!

A whiter smile in just 10 minutes a day? Sign. Us. Up. The iSmile teeth whitening kit uses a formula that’s as powerful as what you’d get at the dentist yet is made with 35 percent carbamide peroxide so it’s safer for your enamel (a win for those of us with sensitive teeth!). And according to thousands of reviewers, that strong-yet-gentle formula removes even the toughest of coffee and wine stains, delivering results in as fast as just one use. Best of all, however, is that unlike many teeth whitening kits, people say that the iSmile gel doesn’t taste horrible if you accidentally leave some in your mouth. That’s a major win in our book.

From makeup to wine to new mama must-haves, there are subscription boxes for almost everything. Yes, even teeth whitening, thanks to this trendy kit which–as the name suggests—will give you a serious glow-up. Every other month, you’ll get your kit delivered right to your doorstep. Each kit includes three whitening gels (a.k.a. a six-day supply), which should give you results that last up to three months. Fans of Glowup say that their teeth got shades whiter after just a few uses and that they didn’t have any pain or sensitivity on their teeth afterwards either. Pro tip: If you’re interested in trying the service for yourself, you might want to scoop it up while you can—it tends to sell out often.

Vegan, gluten-free, organic—all words to describe the chickpea brownies that Gwyneth Paltrow-wannabe mom always brings to your kid’s class for snack day and all words to describe this top-rated teeth whitening kit. And while the Cali White kit is all of those great things (no icky parabens or sulfates here!), one of the major highlights is the mouthpiece. Not only does it have ventilation holes for breathability and a comfortable, snug fit that won’t irritate your gums, but it’s also compatible with any brand or type of LED light attachment. “I am absolutely amazed by this product,” one reviewer gushes. “I’ve only done 4 treatments so far and there is already a huge improvement—definitely recommend!”

You know how we all freaked out when Tide-To-Go pens became a thing because we could finally remove stains while we were rushing about in our busy lives? Well the AsaVea pen does the same thing—but for your teeth. For just $20, you’ll get two pens, each of which contain enough gel for 20+ uses. People love how tiny the pens are (you can easily toss them in even the smallest clutch purse) and how easy they are to use. All you have to do is uncap the pen, twist the bottom to release the gel onto the brush, and then swipe it onto your teeth. In just one minute, your teeth will be noticeably brighter—perfect for when you forgot you have an important presentation at work or, worse, parent photo day at your kid’s school.

Can you count the reasons to love AuraGlow?!? Infinite. With so many users reporting back that they noticed results after just one use (!!), it’s safe to say we’re onboard. The secret behind the insanely effective treatment is AuraGlow’s LED accelerator light, which uses five powerful bulbs to speed up whitening and even has a built-in timer so you know exactly when your 30 minutes is up. Plus, the mouth tray is made to fit any mouth—no molding or fitting required—and can whiten your upper and lower teeth at the same time, which is perfect for busy mamas who barely have time to brush their kids’ hair, let alone do a teeth whitening treatment.

You’ve been brushing with Colgate for a life-time, but it’s not just toothpaste they’re known for. This 10 day serum treatment works with LED light to banish those coffee stains, and all from the comfort of your home. Pour the serum into the mouthplate and zap it with your charged blue light for 10 mins to activate and lift stains on your teeth. Reviewers loved it, even saying, “I just started using this 3 days ago and am already impressed enough to give it 5 stars.”The thought of having teeth 6 shades lighter is exciting— our kids might finally stop asking “mommy-why are your teeth yellow?”. Thanks kids, thanks.

“But I have sensitive teeth,” you’re complaining right now. We hear you (and we get you) but we have good news—there are plenty of teeth whitening kits for sensitive teeth out there. Like this one from MySmile. Many happy customers rave that of all the kits they’ve tried, it’s the only one that hasn’t hurt their teeth or gums. That’s because MySmile uses a non-sensitive teeth whitening formula that contains carbamide peroxide, which is a safer alternative to hydrogen peroxide (it’s less damaging to your enamel). And that’s not all—the MySmile mouth tray also has a super comfortable, ergonomic fit along with ventilation holes so you can actually breathe while you’re whitening (very important!).

Affordable whitening for sensitive teeth … now that’s what we’re talking about! This set includes whitening strips packed with hydrogen peroxide for gentle and gradual whitening; there’s also a gum oil pen for post-treatment soothing. These products are free of common harsh chemicals like parabens and BPAs, and for anyone with food sensitivities, they’re even free of gluten.

For the mom who abhors toxic ingredients, the Lumineux line of Oral Essentials is a literal nontoxic dream come true. Never made with harmful ingredients like added alcohol, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and preservatives, this medically developed Oral Perfection Mouthwash is certified nontoxic and is designed for people who suffer from symptoms of dry mouth. If your mouth and lips are in desperate need of some hydrating R&R, this is the mouthwash for you. Plant-based ingredients such as coconut oil, grape seed oil, cayenne pepper oil, and the natural sweetener xylitol work together to hydrate your mouth and cracked lips by moisturizing oral tissues and encouraging saliva flow. Bet you thought a mouthwash only killed bacteria and made your breath better…. Wrong! The Oral Perfection mouthwash by Lumineux also contains dead sea salt – AKA the world’s most potent salt. It’s highly nutrient-rich with calcium, magnesium, and potassium that refreshes your breath, kills off nasty bacteria, and moisturizes your lips and mouth. We promise: You’ll never go back to the old stuff again.

Get ready to do the impossible, Moms – love brushing your teeth. Most toothpaste tubes are made with non-recyclable plastic, which is a real f*cking bummer for Mother Earth. And those same toothpastes – you know which ones we’re talking about, all those big brand names – use nasty preservatives and additives that keep the paste on the shelf longer. But are those ingredients necessarily good for you? No. So, skip the sh*t ingredients and the crappy tube that will never biodegrade, and instead opt for David’s. David’s Natural Toothpaste is whitening, antiplaque, fluoride-free, sulfate-free, and comes in a metal tube that can be recycled infinitely. This toothpaste formula is sans all the bad stuff and is also vegan, Environmental Working Group-verified, and made with 98 percent USA origin ingredients, therefore supporting jobs in the USA. Unlike some other “all-natural” pastes, the taste of David’s is actually a delicious, high-quality peppermint flavor (thank you, domestic mint oils!) and the thing we perhaps love most about it (besides it being eco-friendly and made with safe ingredients) is that it comes with a free metal tube key roller. With the roller, you know you’ll be able to squeeze every last bit of paste out of that tube. Get your money’s worth, Mama!

Once you scrape, you never go back. No, seriously. If you’re new to tongue scraping, we totally get that it might seem to weird to drag this metal contraption across your tongue. But we promise, after you do it once, you will do it every day for the rest of your life. Believe it or not, our tongue plays a significant role in bad breath. Even if you use mouthwash and brush your teeth regularly, residual food particles get trapped on your tongue, causing malodorous breath. (We’re talking when your toddler wakes up and immediately coughs morning breath in your face bad-breath – yuck!) Well, tongue scraping can help with that. This set of two tongue scrapers are nontoxic, sterilizable, and have a wider comfort grip on each end for stabilization. Simply start at the back of your tongue, lightly scraping toward the tip of your tongue. This metal gadget will remove plaque, leftover food particles, and any other nasty sh*t causing your bad breath. Trust us – you’ll be amazed at just how much yellow-ish goop comes off your tongue with one scrape.

Have you ever realized that traditional floss is just a plastic string that you flit through each of your teeth? It’s like we’re braiding a plastic bag and sticking it in each of our teeth. That’s pretty gross when you think about it! Not to mention, once you are through with that floss (for what, a total of 30 seconds?) it sits in a landfill for hundreds of years, unable to break down because of the unsustainable material its made from. Not cool, moms. Well, Cocofloss is an all-natural floss you can feel good about. It scrubs away plaque, freshens your breath thanks to its coconut-oil infused woven fibers, and at the end of its life, biodegrades naturally. This floss is textured – unlike traditional flat flosses – so it can do more when lodged in between your teeth. It’s also made from the good stuff only: no parabens, sulfates, PFAs (polyfluoroalkyl substances), or pyrophosphates (you don’t want to know). Cocofloss is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes in four flavors: Cara Cara Orange, Coconuts, Fresh Mint, and Strawberries. With flavors like those, you might even be able to convince your kids to start flossing (and no, not the TikTok dance)!

If toothpaste tubes aren’t for you, it might be time to try tooth tabs. Tooth tabs are like little mints that magically (and naturally!) transform into a foamy, minty paste when you chew them. These tooth tabs from Huppy come in two personalized flavors: eucalyptus mint and charcoal mint. Made with only the best natural ingredients – antibacterial peppermint oil, bentonite clay, xylitol, licorice root extract, and baking soda, to name a few – these tablets have a vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and sulfate-free formula that is safe for everybody (yep – even kids!). If you have tried tooth tablets before and are skeptical, don’t be disheartened. Sure, other tooth tabs taste like sh*t if we’re being honest (and we’re always honest) but these actually taste exactly like a mint you would eat to freshen your breath. Only difference is: These turn into toothpaste that cleans your teeth and freshens your breath. Oh, and Mother Earth bonus: All of the Huppy packaging is compostable in a backyard compost setting. So, everything from the package label and the cardboard box to the packets the tabs come in organically break down when added to soil. What’s not to love?!

Not into flossing? We don’t blame you. It’s meticulous and time-consuming and when you’ve got a naked toddler running around the house screaming at the top of their lungs, flossing is the last thing you’re thinking about. But that’s why we love these easy-peasy corn starch floss picks from The Humble Co. They make flossing easier and quicker than your traditional running a thread of floss individually through every single tooth, which makes them perfect for busy moms who spend half their time chasing after rambunctious kids! You can also feel morally good about these picks, as they’re not plastic like those other ones. Made from corn starch, these vegan and cruelty-free picks are also packaged in eco-friendly packing, so not only do they slide easily between your teeth to pick out debris, but they also break down at the end of their life, naturally. Flossing may take 30 seconds total, but now your conscience can rest assured that your floss won’t sit in a landfill for 300 years after those 30 seconds.

There is so much plastic involved in the teeth-cleaning industry. It’s bizarre. And besides plastic toothpaste tubes and plastic floss picks, toothbrushes themselves are actually one of the biggest offenders. Make the switch to eco-friendly, bamboo toothbrushes that are sustainably made, easy on your teeth and gums, and cost-effective. One 12-pack is just $12 and for a family of four, will last you at least a year! You can’t beat those prices, but you also can’t beat the environmental impact. Toothbrushes sit in landfills for hundreds – if not thousands – of years because they can’t break down. But brushes made out of 100 percent sustainably sourced bamboo break down within weeks or months after you toss them and are probably better for your teeth anyway! EveEco uses 100 percent BPA-free charcoal-infused nylon bristles that are both gentle on your gums and hard on the food particles that hide between teeth. The bristles are super soft, so they don’t scratch your gums, but they are also made from synthetic Nylon 4, which is resistant to microbial growth. No need to worry about bacteria with these brushes. Just remember to remove the bristles before composting the bamboo handles!

Do you hate flossing? Like, gun-to-your-head won’t do it; even if your dentist threatens you will have to get a root canal, just-can’t-bring-yourself-to-floss hate? Skip the floss picks, skip the coconut-based floss. Flossing just isn’t for you, so you’re going to have to do something drastic: Invest in a Waterpik Water Flosser. No strings necessary (or attached!), the Waterpik Water Flosser is kind of like an electric toothbrush, only instead of brushing, it shoots a Jetstream of water in between your teeth to knock out any of bad stuff that might be lurking in there. Some dentists even say it’s up to 50 percent more effective than dental floss. This Waterpik even garnered the American Dental Association (ADA)’s Seal of Acceptance. Start waterpicking with this cordless device and you’ll see a difference – healthier gums, whiter teeth, even better breath!) – in just a few days. All you have to do is waterpik for a minute a day. Next time you go into the dentist’s office for a cleaning, the dentist is bound to be impressed!

Attention moms and dads with sensitive teeth and worn-down enamel! (Two more lovely side effects of all that coffee guzzling, in addition to tooth discoloration.) This vVardis set, which includes a wooden-handled toothbrush, a bottle of mouthwash, whitening toothpaste, and the brand’s groundbreaking whitening gel, is a pioneer in smile-brightening oral care. To sum it up simply, the Switzerland-made whitening formula is actually good for your teeth because “it mimics the enamel’s natural remineralization process,” according to the brand. It also helps fight cavities, creates a shield against acid erosion, and is the first FDA-approved tooth whitener that actually improves your mouth’s health. Furthermore, vVardis products are all-natural –no chemicals here! — and they’re sustainably made. Now, try finding that in your typical over-the-counter tooth-whitening gel.