A teeth whitening pen is top-notch for lifting stains with sheer precision since you can literally paint the gel directly on any discoloration giving you grief. Not to mention, there’s something about a pen applicator that just feels fun—painting on a minty gel sounds far more appealing than slapping on a set of whitening strips, no? Application perks aside, there are plenty of teeth whitening pens on the market that can brighten up your smile in a snap. Here, we’ve compiled the best of the best. What users say: What users say: Despite its fact-acting results, reviewers praise Dr. Brite for remaining gentle on their enamel. “I’m pleased with this. It doesn’t feel too harsh, but I still notice a difference in the shade of my teeth,” one customer writes. Another specifically comments on its quick results: “I drink coffee every day, and this pen made my teeth a few shades whiter in just a few uses.” What users say: This is the whitening pen I personally use. It’s chic, user-friendly, and easy to tuck into just about any tote I own. This reviewer agrees: “The size is a big advantage compared to other products because it is basically the size of a sharpie pen. This is super convenient for putting in your pocket or purse and allows you to apply it whenever. I bring this up because I notice my teeth are whitest right after applying the product.” I haven’t seen the most dramatic whitening results (it’s difficult to give up coffee for two weeks, OK?!), but I will say that the easy application makes this one an A+ option to use every day. What users say: Although this powerful treatment includes hydrogen peroxide (which can sensitize teeth), users say it’s pretty gentle on the enamel: “I have very sensitive gums due to [an] exposed nerve, and this did not bother me one bit,” writes one reviewer. “It’s very gentle and works great. I highly recommend." What users say: For those with sensitive teeth and gums (self included), the mere thought of painting on a whitening pen might make your teeth ache in agony. Rest assured, you won’t feel the sting with this natural-leaning number. “I have tried other products in the past, and the harsh ingredients have made my already sensitive teeth almost unbearable,” writes a reviewer. “I am very pleased to say that this has not increased my sensitivity at all. I love how easy it is to use, and I am not so worried about weird ingredients or bleaching agents in my mouth with the [natural ingredients] of this product. It goes on quickly and absorbs in about two minutes, I would say. There is no nasty taste, just a super clean feeling when you are done.” What users say: Shoppers love the ease and convenience of Auraglow. “I found that Auraglow is one of the fastest working teeth whiteners I have tried,” one shopper writes. “The price is affordable, [and] you don’t have to sit around for a ½ hour waiting for it to lift one shade! I did a 10 minute session, and I get one shade of lift, which is real fast! Also it hasn’t increased sensitivity.” Other reviewers did note that it’s difficult to tell how much gel is left in the bottle, since it comes in an opaque applicator; it may take a couple of clicks to tell how much goop you’re dealing with. However, the ingredient is super strong (hydrogen peroxide has the power to bleach fabrics, after all!), and many people claim it can make your teeth sensitive. Plus, preliminary research has found that hydrogen peroxide can penetrate the enamel and potentially degrade the proteins in this layer; it also has the ability to disrupt your oral microbiome, as it’s incredibly antibacterial. That being said, hydrogen peroxide is one of the only ingredients clinically shown to brighten teeth, so it’s pretty difficult to find a peroxide-free formula, even in the clean and natural space. “So if you have sensitive teeth, it may be advisable to start with a product that has a lower peroxide concentration,” advises Lipari. “You also want to avoid getting the gel on the gum tissue to avoid irritating the tissue.” Whitening pens are great to use in a pinch since they’re so easy to grab and use on the go. “Teeth whitening pens can be used after you eat or drink a teeth-staining food or drink, such as coffee, tea, or red wine,” says Veytsman. “If you just had coffee, I would recommend rinsing your mouth to get all of the staining liquid out and follow it up by using a teeth whitening pen.” If you want to use them for long-term whitening, however, consistency is key—you can’t expect a bright movie-star smile with a single treatment. ““I recommend being consistent with the whitening pen for seven to 10 days while avoiding strongly pigmented foods and drinks for that seven- to 10-day period,” Lipari suggests. Various pens have slightly different instructions, so do be sure to follow the directions from your chosen product; generally, though, you may start to see some results after 10 days. The data on damaging the enamel isn’t as clear. Some research claims that in-office bleaching treatments can damage the enamel significantly more than at-home products; others assert that 35% hydrogen peroxide did not damage enamel. It may depend on the types of ingredients used in your specific product, as well as the frequency. That said, make sure to always follow the instructions on the box.
