We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Oral & Dental Products The Best Teeth Whitening Pens for Quick Results—After 50 Hours of Testing We tested over 20 brands and found the best teeth whitening pens to brighten your smile gradually and gently. By Jaylyn Pruitt, Jaylyn Pruitt Jaylyn Pruitt is currently an associate editor for Health.com, where she covers sleep products. health's editorial guidelines Lauren Paige Richeson, Lauren Paige Richeson Lauren Paige Richeson is a writer and editor at Health. She's the author of Avocado Obsession Cookbook and covers a wide range of lifestyle and wellness topics for some of the world's most popular publications. health's editorial guidelines and Daley Quinn Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a beauty and health journalist who has covered the lifestyle space for over ten years. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 26, 2024 Medically reviewed by Brian T. Luong, DMD Medically reviewed by Brian T. Luong, DMD Brian T. Luong, DMD, is an orthodontist at Anaheim Hills Orthodontics and Santa Ana Orthodontics and Chief Dental Officer at Become Aligners. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Testing Process Our Experts What to Know We Also Tested Who We Are Health 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. The Editor's Take 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, Editor Our Top Picks Best Overall: Colgate Overnight Whitening Pen at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Value : VieBeauti Teeth Whitening Pen at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best for Fast Results: Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen at Amazon $36 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Teeth: SALE Lumineux Bright² Pen at Amazon $20 $14 Jump to Review Best Rinse-Free: Polar Teeth Whitening Polar Teeth Whitening Pen Single at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best for On-the-Go: Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen at Sephora $25 Jump to Review Best for Maintenance : SALE Crest 3DWhite Teeth Whitening Pen at Amazon $26 $20 Jump to Review Best for Stain Removal: Snow Sensitive Teeth Whitening Serum at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best Overall Colgate Overnight Whitening Pen PHOTO: Health $20 at Amazon $20 at Target $25 $20 at Walmart Why We Like It 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. It’s Worth Noting While the cooling effect may take some getting used to for sensitive teeth, it’s a small trade-off for noticeable results. Product Details Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxideNumber of applications: 35 usesTime to full results: 7 days PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Value VieBeauti Teeth Whitening Pen PHOTO: Health / Jessica Juliao $20 $19 at Amazon View on Viebeauti.com Why We Like It 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. It's Worth Noting We did experience slight gum irritation when the gel accidentally touched our gums. It was a minor issue that quickly went away, especially when we avoided the gums. Product Details: Active ingredients: Carbamide peroxideNumber of applications: 30 usesTime to full results: 7 days PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Fast Results Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen PHOTO: Health / Jessica Juliao $36 at Amazon $33 at QVC View on Smileactives.com Why We Like It 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. It’s Worth Noting Its main drawback was the need to keep our mouths open for 45-60 seconds post-application, causing us to salivate. Product Details: Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxideNumber of applications: 2-4 times per day Time to full results: 7 days PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Sensitive Teeth Lumineux Bright² Pen PHOTO: Health / Jessica Juliao $20 $14 at Amazon $20 at Target $21 $12 at Walmart Why We Like It 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. It’s Worth Noting The results may not be as dramatic as other pens that use peroxide. Product Details: Active ingredients: Coconut oilNumber of applications: 20 usesTime to full results: 14 days PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Rinse-Free Polar Teeth Whitening Polar Teeth Whitening Pen Single PHOTO: Health / Jessica Juliao $10 at Amazon $22 at Walmart View on Polartw.com Why We Like It 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. It’s Worth Noting One downside of the Polar Teeth Whitening Pen is the time commitment required for its application. You need to keep the gel on your teeth for an hour and hold your mouth open for the first 60 seconds. Product Details: Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxideNumber of applications: 10 to 20 usesTime to full results: Three weeks PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for On-the-Go Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen PHOTO: Health / Jessica Juliao $25 at Sephora $21 at Tartecosmetics.com Why We Like It 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. It’s Worth Noting This pen solution has a sweet taste, which some might find overwhelming or unpleasant over time. Product Details: Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxideNumber of applications: Four times a dayTime to full results: 7 days PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Maintenance Crest 3DWhite Teeth Whitening Pen PHOTO: Health $26 $20 at Amazon $30 at CVS $23 $20 at Walmart Why We Like It 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. It's Worth Noting The requirement to avoid eating or drinking for an hour after each application can be inconvenient. Product Details Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxideNumber of applications: Twice daily use for 2 weeksTime to full results: 14 days Health Best for Stain Removal Snow Sensitive Teeth Whitening Serum PHOTO: Health $25 at Amazon View on Trysnow.com Why We Like It 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. It's Worth Noting The packaging lacks detailed instructions, which could be confusing for first-time users who need clear, step-by-step directions. With minimal guidance, we had to resort to the FAQ page online, making it harder to figure out the ideal usage routine. Product Details Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, carbamideNumber of applications: 75 usesTime to full results: 14 days What We’ve Updated Based on our recent testing, we've made changes to keep this story fresh and updated with our best recommendations.New Best Overall Pick: The Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen replaced the discontinued Philips Zoom Whitening Pen as our top performer.New Top Picks: We added reviews for newly tested teeth whitening pens like Crest 3DWhite Teeth Whitening Pen and Snow Diamond Whitening Serum.Housekeeping: We removed Periosciences LED² Teeth Whitening Kit as it has been discontinued. Our Testing Process 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: Ease of use: We evaluated the product's usability, highlighting issues with the pen, such as a faulty click-up mechanism, and whether it was easy to use in public.Comfort: We noted any discomfort or sensitivity in our teeth and gums from the whitening pens and whether keeping our mouths open while the gel dried was uncomfortable.Effectiveness: We tracked how long it took to notice a change in our teeth's shade and whether we felt more confident and improved our smiles since the start of the test.Convenience: We assessed whether using the whitening pen became easier over time and if the routine was easy to maintain.Value: At the end of the test, we shared if we felt the pen's cost was justified and whether we would consider repurchasing the product. Our Experts We consulted multiple dental experts to understand key aspects of teeth whitening pens, including expected results, functionality, and the primary beneficiaries of using them. Shahrooz Yazdani, DDS, CEO and director of Costello Family Dentistry in Carleton Place, Ontario Bianca Velayo, DMD, dentist at Green Valley Smiles Dentistry in Henderson, Nevada Lucy Hovanisyan, DDS, dentist at ProHealth Dental in New Jersey Lena Varone, DMD, FIADFE, dentist at NY Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in New York City What to Know About Teeth Whitening Pens Active Ingredients Peroxides are the most important active ingredients in teeth whitening pens. Hydrogen peroxide: Works by breaking down the stains on your teeth and is one of the most common ingredients used in teeth whitening products.Carbamide peroxide: Gentler than hydrogen peroxide because it works more slowly to break down the enamel on the teeth. It’s a good option for those with sensitive teeth who still want to whiten them. Frequency of Use 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. Results 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. Safety 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. Teeth Whitening Pens We Also Tested We tested these teeth whitening pens but chose not to include them due to shortcomings in ease of use, comfort, effectiveness, convenience, and value. Invisalign™ Whitening Pen: We saw a difference in our teeth shade after testing this product, but it was hard to dispense the gel and it left our teeth feeling a bit sensitive. Moon Oral Care Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen: We didn’t see dramatic results with this pick, but did think it was easy to use.Made by Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen: We found the process of using this pick annoying—you have to spit the product out and brush your teeth lightly to get all the gel out after the whitening session. Who We Are Daley Quinn is a writer for Health who specializes in beauty and health. Jaylyn Pruitt is a writer for Health that covers teeth whitening products. 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 1 Source Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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