The 8 Best Teeth Whitening Products for Sensitive Teeth, Tested and Reviewed

Why We Like It

Crest is the leading name in teeth whitening—and for good reason. When we tested the best teeth whitening kits, we named the Crest Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth our top pick for people with tooth sensitivity, but this time we’ve updated it to include the brand’s newer Whitestrips Sensitive +LED Light. These strips are designed for sensitive teeth, but they include an LED light for quicker, more dramatic results. The difference between these strips and Crest’s other WhiteStrips is a lower peroxide level; the sensitive strips contain 5.25% hydrogen peroxide compared to Crest’s standard 6.5%.

We were surprised by how gentle this product was on our very sensitive teeth and gums. We also noticed a difference in the color of our teeth right away while using the strips and LED light—almost a two shade difference in just five days. The Crest Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth work like the other strips in Crest’s lineup: just wear them once a day for 30 minutes and follow up with the light for five minutes, and you should see full results in about two weeks—all without tooth pain. Plus, these strips use Crest’s AdvancedSeal tech for a non-slip grip on teeth during whitening. 

It’s Worth Noting

• They may not brighten your teeth as much as other Crest WhiteStrips because of their lower peroxide percentage.

Product Details:

• Product Type: Strips and LED light
• Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide
• Frequency of Use: Once daily
• Duration of Use: 30 minutes, plus five minutes for the LED light
• Time to Results: Two weeks

Why We Like It

While many kinds of toothpaste can be abrasive and irritating to sensitive teeth, the Crest Pro-health Gum & Sensitivity whitening toothpaste can brighten teeth without any added abrasion or pain. This toothpaste stood out from others we’ve tried in that it didn’t irritate our gums or leave the inside of our mouths feeling dry or peeled. Instead, it left a refreshing, clean sensation.

The toothpaste itself was pleasant to use, with a fine foam and no grittiness, and it gently coated our teeth. Even with our naturally sensitive teeth, we didn’t experience any discomfort. The taste was mildly minty and refreshing, maintaining freshness for about an hour after brushing. You can use Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste just like any other toothpaste—in fact, using it like a regular toothpaste (that means twice daily) should help combat your regular tooth sensitivity thanks to Crest’s stannous fluoride-based formula. We noticed a very subtle lightening of our teeth, but we think that longer-term use might make a more noticeable difference.

It’s Worth Noting

• While it is gentle and effective for sensitive teeth, the whitening results may be more subtle and slower to appear than with some other whitening toothpastes.

Product Details:

• Product Type: Toothpaste
• Active Ingredients: Stannous fluoride
• Frequency of Use: Two to three times daily
• Duration of Use: Two minutes
• Time to Results: Not specified

Why We Like It

If you think you can’t see real whitening results with mouthwash, think again. TheraBreath’s Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse offers all the power of an effective mouthwash with high-strength whitening, all without peroxide. Instead, TheraBreath’s whitening mouthwash uses a three-step process to lift stains and whiten teeth. Papain, an enzyme derived from papaya fruit, works with your saliva to remove stains (meaning that the watery mouth you get from mouthwash isn’t for nothing). Its oxidizing process—with the help of glucose oxidase—is where you’ll see its whitening impact.

Plus, it’s alcohol-free, so you won’t feel any burning or stinging, but you’ll still have a fresher, brighter smile. “I recommend not using an alcohol-based mouthwash after fluoride-based toothpaste as it can rinse away the protective fluoride from your teeth,” says Dr. Yazdani.

You can use TheraBreath whitening mouthwash like any other mouthwash; just rinse with one capful for two minutes, morning and night, and wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This mouthwash offers a 24-hour stain barrier if used twice daily, protecting your teeth from any additional staining while you use it. You should see results in just a couple of uses.

It’s Worth Noting

Your results may not be as noticeable as with a traditional whitening product.

Product Details:

• Product Type: Mouthwash
• Active Ingredients: Papain, glucose oxidase
• Frequency of Use: One to two times daily
• Duration of Use: Two minutes
• Time to Results: A few days

Why We Like It

While using peroxide to bleach your teeth isn’t harmful, it should be limited because it can soften your enamel over time. If you’re worried about peroxide use, Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips is peroxide-free, using essential oils instead of more standard chemicals to whiten teeth. Its ingredient list includes lemon peel oil, coconut oil, sage oil, and Dead Sea salt. 

If you’re wondering how well all-natural whitening solutions stand up to chemical whitening, the answer might be surprising. A study of chemical teeth whitening and all-natural teeth whitening products found that while chemical whitening provided more drastic results, all-natural products weren’t far behind—plus, they left teeth with fewer surface issues after use.

We found these strips comfortable and easy to use, allowing us to carry on with our daily activities, including conversations, during the 30-minute treatment. The strips, which lack an unpleasant taste and instead offer a slightly refreshing flavor, showed effectiveness after two to three applications, gradually whitening our teeth by approximately two shades. We also found that the strips were easy to apply and stayed on our teeth even while talking, though they only cover the front 6-8 teeth on each row. For 21 treatments, we consider them a great option, especially given their effectiveness and suitability for sensitive teeth and gums.

It’s Worth Noting

• Be careful if storing them in warm conditions, as we encountered a strip becoming gooey and tearing in high temperatures.

Product Details:

• Product Type: Strips
• Active Ingredients: Coconut oil
• Frequency of Use: Once daily
• Duration of Use: 30 minutes
• Time to Results: One week

Why We Like It

Although its causes are poorly understood, tooth sensitivity is most often seen as the result of tooth dehydration, according to dentists Gerard Kugel and Susana Ferreira in “The Art and Science of Teeth Whitening.”

The Crest Whitening Emulsions is the solution to your hydrating and whitening needs. What sets it apart is its gentle formula, which effectively minimizes sensitivity, providing a comfortable whitening experience without the discomfort often associated with such products. It hydrates your teeth with hydrogen peroxide suspended in a hydrating blend of petrolatum and sorbitan palmitate.

The process is simple and allows for normal activities during treatment, making it extremely user-friendly.
The application of the gel and the use of the LED device took 33 minutes from start to finish. Despite the option for up to four daily applications, we didn’t encounter any sensitivity issues, which was particularly impressive given our concerns about gum sensitivity. The results were clearly visible, lightening our teeth by two shades. This kit doesn’t require charging, adding to its convenience, and includes a practical stand for storage.

It’s Worth Noting

• It’s recommended to be applied four times a day for maximum results, which might be inconvenient if you’re looking for a lower-maintenance product.

Product Details:

• Product Type: Pen with LED light
• Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide
• Frequency of Use: Up to four times daily
• Duration of Use: 33 minutes
• Time to Results: Four days

Why We Like It

LED lights can dehydrate teeth, giving them that extra-white look just after use, so they can be extra tough on sensitive teeth. The Snow Diamond Wireless Teeth Whitening Kit lets you get a super bright smile with an LED device without the sensitivity.

In our test with the Snow Diamond Teeth Whitening Kit, the whitening effect was immediately evident, with our teeth brightening one shade by the end of the first use. The LED device was totally wireless, meaning we had no trouble adding it to our daily routine or even using it during the workday. You can wear the device for up to 30 minutes, though we saw results in under 10. Impressively, we experienced no discomfort or sensitivity from the gel or light, a major plus for our very sensitive teeth. We think the Snow Diamond Wireless Teeth Whitening Kit offered great value for its price, effectively whitening our teeth without any discomfort or sensitivity.

It’s Worth Noting

• We were unsure how many uses the pen applicator was meant to provide.

Product Details:

• Product Type: LED device
• Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide
• Frequency of Use: Once daily
• Duration of Use: Up to 30 minutes
• Time to Results: Noticeable results after one use

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 oil
• Number of applications: 20
• Time to full results: Two weeks

The Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste stands out as the best purple whitening paste due to its unique formula that combines ease of use, gentle whitening effects, and a pleasant taste, making it a standout choice for those seeking a mild and convenient teeth whitening solution.

It applied easily, although initially more liquidy than regular toothpaste. The first few seconds of brushing left a temporary purple hue on our teeth, but this quickly dissipated. The toothpaste, with its gel-like consistency, was easy to use and didn’t foam, allowing for thorough brushing without causing sensitivity. It had a minty, pleasant taste after an initial medicinal flavor. While we didn’t notice dramatic, immediate effects, our teeth appeared slightly whiter over time.

It offered a mild whitening effect and was a simple addition to our morning routine. While not a robust whitening solution, we’d recommend it for those interested in a gentle, convenient product.

It’s Worth Noting

• It may not provide as strong or noticeable whitening results as some users might expect or need, especially when compared to more intensive whitening treatments.

• Type: Toothpaste
• Recommended frequency of use: Daily
• Recommended duration of use: 2 minutes
• Active ingredients: Hydrated silica, xylitol