TeethResearch

Buyer's guide · Teeth whitening kits

Looking for a Teeth Whitening Kit?

Here's what to look for before choosing an at-home whitening system

Today's at-home whitening kits combine professional-style whitening gel with LED technology designed to make whitening your teeth at home simple. We looked at what actually matters when choosing a kit.

What a complete kit should include

  • Whitening gel
  • LED accelerator
  • Multiple treatments
  • Easy at-home use
  • Comfortable mouth tray
See our top pick

See the kit, current price & availability

Updated · Teeth Research · 5 minute read

A woman using the AuraGlow LED whitening light in a bathroom mirror, with the kit box, storage case and gel syringes on the counter
The AuraGlow Complete LED Whitening Kit, the kit featured in this guide. Made and sold by AuraGlow, a third-party brand. Image: AuraGlow.

The quick answer

What Should You Look for in a Teeth Whitening Kit?

Short answer: choose a complete teeth whitening system that includes the whitening gel, an LED whitening light and a comfortable mouth tray, with enough treatments for a full course, sessions you can fit into your routine, a sensible cost per treatment, and refills you can buy later.

  1. 1

    Whitening gel formulation

    The gel does the whitening. Check what's in it and how much you get. Pre-filled syringes make it easy to apply a consistent amount each time.

  2. 2

    LED light or accelerator

    In an LED kit, the light is designed to be used with the gel during each session. A rechargeable light means no batteries to buy.

  3. 3

    Number of treatments

    Whitening is a course, not a one-off. A kit with enough treatments lets you finish a full course without re-ordering halfway.

  4. 4

    Mouth tray design

    The tray holds the gel against your teeth. You'll wear it every session, so comfort matters, and a tray that needs no boiling or moulding is simpler to start with.

  5. 5

    Treatment time

    Sessions that fit into an ordinary evening are easier to stick with. Check how long each one takes and how many the course needs.

  6. 6

    Cost per treatment

    Divide the kit price by the number of treatments. It's a fairer way to compare kits than the sticker price alone.

  7. 7

    Replacement gel availability

    If you like your results, you may want to top up later. Check whether the brand sells gel refills so you don't need a whole new kit.

The process

How LED Teeth Whitening Kits Work

Most LED whitening kits follow the same three steps. The details, including session length and schedule, come from each product's own instructions.

  1. Step 1

    Apply

    Apply whitening gel to the mouth tray.

  2. Step 2

    Whiten

    Wear the tray and use the LED light according to the product instructions.

  3. Step 3

    Repeat

    Complete your treatments on the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

With the AuraGlow kit, each session is 30 minutes and the box holds 20 treatments, according to AuraGlow.

Kit or separate parts

Why Choose a Complete Whitening Kit?

You can buy whitening gel, trays and LED lights separately. A complete kit puts them in one box, designed to be used together.

Complete LED kit

  • Whitening gel, LED light and mouth tray in one box
  • Multiple treatments included
  • One set of instructions written for the whole system
  • Parts designed to be used together
  • One purchase

Piecing it together

  • Gel, light and tray bought as separate products
  • Different instructions from different brands
  • No guarantee the gel, tray and light are meant to work together
  • Several purchases, and more to keep track of

A kit isn't a medical upgrade over separate products. The advantage is practical: everything you need, and one set of instructions to follow.

Cost

At-Home Whitening vs. Professional Whitening

Professional whitening

Carried out or supervised by a dental professional, usually in the dental office. The dentist can check whether whitening is right for you first, and often uses stronger whitening agents than consumer products.

It's priced as a dental service, and typically costs considerably more than an at-home kit.

At-home whitening kit

You do the treatments yourself, at home, following the product's instructions, spread over a course of sessions.

The entry price is the cost of the kit, which covers every treatment in the box.

They aren't the same service, and results can differ. If you're unsure which is right for you, a dentist can advise.

For people specifically looking for an at-home option, a complete kit can offer a much lower entry price.

See the kit

Current price & availability on AuraGlow's website

In the box

Everything You Need in One Kit

What comes in the AuraGlow Complete LED Whitening Kit, according to AuraGlow.

  1. AuraGlow LED whitening light with attached clear mouth tray
    1LED light and mouth trayRechargeable LED light with a mouth tray that holds the gel in place.
  2. Two AuraGlow teeth whitening gel syringes
    2Whitening gel, 2 syringesPre-filled syringes of whitening gel, 20 treatments in total.
  3. White USB charging cable for the AuraGlow LED light
    3USB charging cableCharges the LED light. A USB wall plug is not included.
  4. Navy AuraGlow storage case
    4Storage caseHolds the light and tray between treatments.

Not included: a USB wall plug. Any standard USB phone charger plug can be used, according to AuraGlow. Images: AuraGlow.

Is it for you?

Is an At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit Right for You?

May be a good fit if

  • You want to whiten your teeth at home
  • You'd rather have a complete system than buy the parts separately
  • You want multiple treatments in one kit
  • You're specifically interested in LED whitening systems

Consider talking to a dental professional first if

  • You have significant tooth sensitivity
  • You have crowns, veneers, bonding or fillings on visible teeth and aren't sure how whitening will affect how they look
  • You have existing dental concerns, such as gum problems or untreated decay
  • You're unsure whether whitening is appropriate for you

Whitening only changes the colour of natural teeth. It won't change the shade of crowns, veneers or fillings, and it isn't a treatment for any dental condition.

FAQ

Teeth Whitening Kit Questions

What is the best type of teeth whitening kit?

There isn't a single best kit for everyone. For most people looking for an at-home option, a good starting point is a complete system: a whitening gel, a mouth tray that holds the gel against your teeth, enough treatments for a full course, and clear instructions. Many kits also include an LED light designed to be used with the gel.

It also helps to check the cost per treatment and whether replacement gel is sold separately. If you have sensitive teeth, crowns, veneers or fillings on your front teeth, or other dental concerns, ask a dentist which option suits you.

Do LED teeth whitening kits work?

In an LED kit, the whitening is done by the gel. The LED light is designed to be used alongside the gel as part of each treatment; it does not whiten teeth on its own. Published research on how much a light adds to results is mixed.

Results vary from person to person and depend on things like the type of staining, your natural tooth shade, and whether you use the kit as directed.

How long does at-home teeth whitening take?

It depends on the product. Most at-home kits are designed as a course of several treatments rather than one session, and both the session length and the number of sessions vary by brand. The AuraGlow kit featured on this page uses 30-minute sessions and includes 20 treatments, according to AuraGlow. Always follow the schedule in your kit's instructions.

How often can you use a teeth whitening kit?

Follow the schedule in the manufacturer's instructions and don't use a kit more often than directed. If you notice tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, take a break and consider talking to a dentist before continuing.

What's included in a teeth whitening kit?

Contents vary by brand. A complete LED whitening kit usually includes whitening gel, a mouth tray, an LED light, and a way to charge or power the light.

The AuraGlow kit featured on this page includes an LED light with mouth tray, two whitening gel syringes (20 treatments), a USB charging cable, and a storage case, according to AuraGlow. A USB wall plug is not included.

Can teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

Yes. Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation during or after whitening, and it is one of the most commonly reported side effects of peroxide-based whitening. If you already have sensitive teeth, or sensitivity doesn't settle, stop using the product and talk to a dentist.

Is an at-home whitening kit the same as professional dental whitening?

No. Professional whitening is carried out or supervised by a dental professional, who can check whether whitening is appropriate for you first and often uses stronger whitening agents than consumer products. At-home kits are designed for you to use yourself, following the product's instructions. The two differ in cost, process and speed, and results can differ.

Ready to See the Whitening Kit?

If you're looking for a complete at-home teeth whitening system, see the product details, current price, and availability directly from AuraGlow.

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