Teeth whitening options can come in many forms, including fancy dentist's office treatments, at-home kits, and toothpastes. Then, there's the easiest option of all: the best teeth whitening pens. As simple to apply as a tube of lip gloss, these ultra convenient treatments are best used while on-the-go, or to help sustain an already dazzling smile.
Best Dentist-Approved Whitening Pen
Twice Oral Wellness Whitening Pen
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Best Flavored Teeth Whitening Pen
Moon Teeth Whitening Pen Vanilla Mint Flavor
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Best Teeth Whitening Pen on Amazon
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
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Best All-Around Teeth Whitening Pen
Go Smile 'On the Go' Teeth Whitening Pen
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Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Sensitive Teeth
Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen
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Best Natural Teeth Whitening Pen
Lumineux Teeth Whitening and Dual Action Stain Repellant Ultra-Bright Pen
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Best Extra-Strength Teeth Whitening Pen
Made by Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen Rose Gold
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Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Rapid Results
Smile Direct Club Premium Teeth Whitening Touch Up Pen
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Best Travel Teeth Whitening Pen
Supersmile Quikee Instant Whitening Polish
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Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Aligners
Invisalign Whitening Pen
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Whether you can't go a day without coffee, or enjoy capping off your nights with a glass of red wine, these simple tools can be extremely effective in minimizing stains overtime. "For typical whitening products, maintenance is dependent on how much red wine, coffee, or tea that the patient ingests," Twice's chief dental officer and New York City-based cosmetic dentist Jonathan Levine tells BAZAAR.com. "It's safe to use up to three to five times a week.”
To help you choose your new smile go-to, we've rounded up 10 of the best teeth whitening pens of 2023. And keep reading for expert insights on exactly how to use them all safely and effectively.
Related: The 14 Best Teeth Whitening Kits for a Brighter Smile
Best Dentist-Approved Whitening Pen
Twice Oral Wellness Whitening Pen
Best Dentist-Approved Whitening Pen
Twice Oral Wellness Whitening Pen
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
Levine recommends Twice's Oral Wellness pen because it's not only easy to use, but contains an adhesive gel, and high concentration of the active whitening chemistry. “For the Twice Oral Wellness Whitening Pen, we recommend one to two times a day for 14 days, and then three- to five-times a week for maintenance,” he notes.
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide, plant-based antimicrobials |
|---|---|
| How to use: | Remove cap and click pen base until whitening serum appears on bristles of the brush. Smile and paint a thin layer of whitening serum to each desired tooth. Leave whitening serum on for as long as desired (whitening begins immediately upon application). Avoid eating or drinking for 10 to 30 minutes after use. For best results, use twice a day, morning and evening for 14 days. |
Best Flavored Teeth Whitening Pen
Moon Teeth Whitening Pen Vanilla Mint Flavor
Best Flavored Teeth Whitening Pen
Moon Teeth Whitening Pen Vanilla Mint Flavor
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
Kendall Jenner’s teeth are immaculate (not that we’ve been staring or anything). A MOON partner, she’s known to keep these pens—containing lavender oil and strawberry and honeysuckle extracts—on hand.
| Key ingredients: | Lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract, honeysuckle flower extract |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I've been using this daily for about a week now and I have seen clear results. Naturally yellow teeth run in my dad's side of the family, but I hate the feeling of those gooey strips on my teeth. This is fast and gives you instant results. Great buy!" —abi |
| How to use: | Remove cap and click the button at end of pen until whitening gel dispenses (it may take several clicks with the first use). Smile and brush a thin layer on teeth. Wait 30 seconds before closing mouth and 10-30 minutes before eating or drinking. Apply up to two times per day for two weeks. |
Best Teeth Whitening Pen on Amazon
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Pen on Amazon
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
Pros
- Top-rated
- Works while you sleep
Cons
Colgate’s whitening pen claims to remove up to 15 years of stains in just one week. “Absolutely amazing,” one Amazon reviewer writes. “I’ve only used the teeth whitening overnight stick three times and people are already starting to notice a difference in my teeth. I also have very sensitive teeth and tooth pain a lot but this hasn’t seemed to affect my pain at all.”
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I’ve only used this for three days now and it’s already made a huge difference! I wish I had taken a before pic, but trust me when I say it’s worth every penny!!!" —Dianne |
| How to use: | Follow your regular oral care routine, dry your teeth, click the whitening pen, apply a layer onto your teeth, sleep, and brush your teeth in the morning for a brighter smile. |
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Best All-Around Teeth Whitening Pen
Go Smile 'On the Go' Teeth Whitening Pen
Best All-Around Teeth Whitening Pen
Go Smile 'On the Go' Teeth Whitening Pen
Pros
- Vegan
- Works fast
Cons
Go Smile was one of the first brands to get on-the-go whitening right. Plus, this pen is so effective, it can yield visible results when used up to twice a day for a week.
| Key ingredients: | Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| How to use: | Twist dial at bottom of pen to release whitening serum and brush a thin layer onto front surfaces of teeth, focusing on darker stains and avoiding the gum line. Do not rinse, serum dissolves away. |
Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Sensitive Teeth
Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Sensitive Teeth
Tarte Pearly Girl Vegan Teeth Whitening Pen
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
Tarte may be known for its makeup, but the brand has a sleeper-hit whitening pen too. Plus, it’s extra gentle and vegan, making it a good option for those with sensitive teeth.
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide, neutralizing complex, potassium nitrate |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Got this for my engagement shoot! It worked like a charm using it every day for about a week and a half leading up to the shoot. I use it on and off for special events for a quick brightening!" —Jessica B. |
| How to use: | Twist at the base of the pen to dispense whitening gel onto the brush-on applicator. You may need to twist it multiple times with the first use for gel to appear.Smile and brush onto front of all teeth and wait 30 seconds before closing your mouth.Allow gel to penetrate for 15 minutes before eating or drinking.Apply up to four times a day for best results.Run brush under warm water to remove trace gel after each use. |
Best Natural Teeth Whitening Pen
Lumineux Teeth Whitening and Dual Action Stain Repellant Ultra-Bright Pen
Best Natural Teeth Whitening Pen
Lumineux Teeth Whitening and Dual Action Stain Repellant Ultra-Bright Pen
Pros
- Great for sensitive teeth
Cons
This pen's peroxide-free formula is powered by ingredients like coconut oil, dead sea salt, and lemon peel oil to lift stains without risking a toothache.
| Key ingredients: | Coconut oil, dead sea salt, sage oil, lemon peel oil |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I love my coffee and it shows on my teeth. I am very impressed with how well this works. I definitely will continue to use." —Angela |
| How to use: | Apply before consuming staining liquids, such as coffee, tea, green or red juice, or red wine. |
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Best Extra-Strength Teeth Whitening Pen
Made by Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen Rose Gold
Best Extra-Strength Teeth Whitening Pen
Made by Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen Rose Gold
Pros
- Can be used daily
Cons
- Must rinse off after five minutes
With twice the hydrogen peroxide concentration as other formulas, this dentist-formulated whitening pen isn’t messing around. One thing to note: Unlike other pens, you do have to rinse this whitener off after five minutes.
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| How to use: | Twist base of pen until gel is visible on brush. Coat your teeth with the gel and leave for five minutes. After five minutes, rinse the gel away with water. Can be used daily to maintain whitening effects. |
Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Rapid Results
Smile Direct Club Premium Teeth Whitening Touch Up Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Rapid Results
Smile Direct Club Premium Teeth Whitening Touch Up Pen
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Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
This foaming—yes, foaming—gel works in just five minutes to reduce stains fast. Once the formula is done peculating, spit out any excess gel to reveal whiter teeth in up to three days.
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Easy, not messy, fast and effective. After I brush my teeth at night, I brush it on and leave it while doing my skin routine then spit out the excess and go to bed. I would say it whitens at least a shade or two each use. Maybe more initially. Love." —Anonymous |
| How to use: | Brush your teeth before starting to help the whitening absorb better. Take the cap off the pen and slowly twist the bottom until you see gel in the brush. Brush the gel on your six top and six bottom front teeth in a circular motion. The gel will foam and penetrate your teeth. After five minutes, spit out the excess gel, but don’t rinse. The whitening will continue to absorb into your teeth. Don’t eat or drink for 20 minutes after you’re done. |
Best Travel Teeth Whitening Pen
Supersmile Quikee Instant Whitening Polish
Best Travel Teeth Whitening Pen
Supersmile Quikee Instant Whitening Polish
Pros
- Works fast
Cons
This squeeze-dispenser pen streamlines the category even further—keep it in your purse for the quickest of post-happy hour touch-ups.
| Key ingredients: | Calprox (encapsulated calcium peroxide and minerals) |
|---|---|
| How to use: | Apply a dab of Quikee to teeth, then sweep tongue back and forth across teeth to circulate the polish. |
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Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Aligners
Invisalign Whitening Pen
Best Teeth Whitening Pen for Aligners
Invisalign Whitening Pen
Pros
- Can be used up to four times daily
Cons
The thing about clear dental aligners (or retainers) is that there are a lot of rules when wearing them. But this gel from Invisalign removes the guesswork and can be worn with your aligners—just wait 15 minutes or so before reinserting them.
| Key ingredients: | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| How to use: | For best results, brush your teeth prior to applying this product.Smile wide, and wipe and dry the front surfaces of your teeth.Twist the bottom of the pen to dispense the solution and apply a small coat onto each tooth.Wait 30 seconds before closing mouth and allow 15 minutes before eating, drinking or inserting your aligners. Repeat up to four times per day.If sensitivity occurs, decrease the frequency of use. Rinsing is optional; solution will dissipate. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do teeth whitening pens work?
“Absolutely! It’s all about three things,” Levine, explains. First is “the frequency of use (consistency is key!),” he says. Then it comes down to the concentration of the active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide. And finally, “the adhesive that the hydrogen peroxide is formulated with that keeps it on the teeth.”
Do teeth whitening strips, pens, or kits work best?
Ultimately, it’s whatever product application you prefer. Some users don’t like the feeling of strips, while others think pens aren’t as effective. All of that said, “The best whitening occurs when the active gel, hydrogen peroxide, is accelerated by warming or heat such as it is in the GLO Science Brilliant Whitening Device,” Levine adds.
How often should you use a teeth whitening pen?
Generally, you can use the pen daily, but it’s important to read the instructions (and pay attention to any sensitivity). “You can use it often to remove new stains every day, depending on the concentration of the whitening gel,” Levine says. However, some products can be used more or less depending on the formula and your tolerance.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Jonathan Levine is a cosmetic dentist, clinical researcher, and author based in New York City.
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Lindy Segal
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.
