The whitening gel from sunny-sounding Mr Bright is a safer option for those fearful of irritated gums, as there’s no hydrogen peroxide involved. Instead, the gel contains lots of natural ingredients: sodium bicarbonate to naturally whiten teeth, as well as aloe vera to moisturise the mouth and peppermint oil for a deliciously clean taste. The kit includes three capped syringes each filled with 5ml of whitening gel, an LED blue light to accelerate the whitening process, and a mouth tray that’s made from silicone and is BPA free. The gel used for whitening is typically a hydrogen peroxide-based gel, which is not the same as bleach – hence the word “whitening” instead of “bleaching”. The legal limit of hydrogen peroxide that UK dentists can use is between 0.1% and 6%, whereas home kits are only allowed to contain a maximum of 0.1%. As it’s a chemical, a product containing too high levels of hydrogen peroxide in your mouth does come with safety warnings: you risk burning your gums, harming tooth enamel and increasing sensitivity.

You should see a change after just one application, but Mr Bright advises a two-week stretch to really get noticeable results. Yes. As it's classed as a cosmetic product, it must adhere to strict EU regulations safety guidelines. Optical: This method uses blue-toned brighteners, which coat your teeth as you brush. When you see the claim “instant whiteness” or “instant brightness”, it's usually this method that provides that immediate difference. It's also the reason why whitening toothpaste may produce a blue coloured foam when brushing.This wonderfully named brand shouldn’t dent your confidence: its online reputation is a glowing one, with most customers saying the Dr Dent kit is easy to use and gives long-lasting results. Enzyme-action: With enzymes usually derived from fruit, this method claims to break down proteins on the teeth that have been linked to teeth staining. It’s easy to use, too. Once you’ve connected the LED and mouth tray together, fill the top and bottom parts of the tray with 1ml of gel (there are handy quarter markers on the syringe for this) then switch on the LED blue light and wear it for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeating the process every day for a week gives the best results. Buffing: Also known as abrasives or polishing, these work by using small scrubbing agents, such as activated charcoal or silica, to remove dental plaque and stains from teeth. Do be aware that sometimes prolonged use can wear down tooth enamel leading to sensitivity. Whitening toothpastes target the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth that protects the sensitive under-layers), using a combination of methods to maximise the effects.

Our panel of 278 testers brushed and rinsed their way through 13 brands of the best whitening toothpastes over an eight-week period. They assessed any whitening effects, stain removal and prevention, and whether the toothpaste increased any sensitivity in their teeth or gums.With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. However, those who have sensitive teeth may wish to proceed with caution as the abrasive nature of some whitening toothpastes could cause further sensitivity and damage the enamel. Peroxides can also cause teeth and gums to become sensitive. If you're looking for a dramatic colour change, you may be better off combining one of these toothpastes with a teeth whitening kit. How did the GHI test whitening toothpastes?