In testing, this gel was easy to put on and caused no discomfort during or after application (including for those of us with sensitive teeth). The mouthpiece fit well and stayed in place, thanks to the fact that it’s soft and flexible, not rigid. We also loved that the tray could be plugged into our smartphones, so we could get up and move around the house while we waited out the whitening time. Those who don’t mind a little extra labor (i.e., holding a light for 10 minutes) in return for elevated results should opt for this kit. It delivered impressive changes in less than two weeks. Each kit comes with three wands of Snow's whitening gel as well as an extra-strength version in addition to the LED mouthpiece. The best part? It's safe for use by those with sensitive teeth, braces, bridges, caps, crowns, and veneers. It didn’t trigger any sensitivity or pain (or bad aftertaste for us in the least), and it did brighten our smile. Overall, the whitening results were significant enough to make us recommend this product as a good choice, especially since it didn’t cause any pain or discomfort and is priced within the average range for a whitening kit. Given how much we know professional whitening costs, and remembering the pain and sensitivity we've had with other whitening products in the past, we absolutely think this is worth the price and the inconvenience for a couple of weeks. Emergency treatment is also covered by the state if you are registered, or have an EHIC card. If you need emergency treatment visit your nearest hospital or health center, which can be found through the Spanish Health Ministry. Private dental care in Spain

A little bit on the pricier side, this is pretty much the closest you can get to a pro-style treatment at home. You start by applying the protective lip balm, then brush a thin layer of the whitening gel along the fronts of your teeth. Pop in the mouthpiece and turn it on, either manually or via the app, fancy. Crest Whitening Emulsions Leave-on Teeth Whitening Gel Kit: This was easy to apply with a pleasant, mild taste, but in testing, we saw zero whitening effects—even with the maximum amount of allowed applications per day. Due to the large expat population, and the rise of Spain as a dental tourism destination, many practices offer information on their services and consultations in English. This is particularly the case for dentists in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Andalucía, as well as tourist areas. If practices do not speak English, or if you need emergency treatment at a hospital, it is possible to hire an interpreter. Initially, we couldn’t leave the tray in for the recommended 15 minutes because it was so uncomfortable. But over time, we did get used to it. The best part was that our teeth whitened. Even though we only left it in for about eight minutes, our teeth went up a full shade. It hurt, but the pain was worth it in our eyes. We also started with the highest concentration possible, which we wouldn’t recommend if you have sensitive teeth or have never whitened your teeth before (in that case, you may want to start with the lowest concentration and work your way up from there).Throughout the testing, we considered whether we were able to apply the product and go about our day as usual, how much whiter our teeth were from start to finish, whether we experienced any sensitivity, and if we thought the kit was an overall good value based on its retail price and the results it delivered. Essentially, you position the upper and lower trays on your teeth, bite down for a few seconds, and then remove the colored outer tray, leaving behind a more snug-fitting inner tray containing the whitening gel. This allows you to get a snug and comfortable fit every time. However, this option isn’t entirely painless. In testing, we found that the upper tray caused some serious gum discomfort (even after we brushed our teeth to remove the gel). We'd describe it as being similar to the feeling of applying an acid facial peel or retinoid for the first time—painful but bearable. Truly a classic, you really can’t go wrong with these easy-to-use strips. They have the American Dental Association's (ADA) seal of approval, which was granted to them in 2017. To drive home how major that is, it's worth mentioning that it's the first product to earn the ADA seal in the Home-Use Tooth Bleaching Products category, according to the ADA. However, it is also possible to take out private healthcare insurance. For some people, this is preferable as it means you can combine health insurance with dental cover. It may also be necessary if you are a US citizen, for example. Dental care in Spain

The main reason to opt for a whitening pen and not a more comprehensive kit is convenience, and this pen by AuraGlow is nothing if not convenient. You won’t get mega-white brightening results here—we noted it lightens maybe a shade, at most—but you will get an easy and painless application process and the ability to easily whiten minor stains on the go.We kind of call it the white diet," Dr. Zappia says. "Anything that will not stain." So, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruits with the exception of berries, vegetables, pasta, and other foods that won't easily darken your teeth are all great choices. We did notice some long-term discomfort over time, though, possibly because we felt like it was pretty abrasive. That created something of a catch-22 for us in testing—when we used the toothpaste, it whitened our teeth a couple of shades, but when we stopped using the toothpaste (because of sensitivity), we noticed that our teeth began yellowing and staining again almost immediately. The product felt like we needed to use it every single day to maintain an improved and brighter teeth shade. However, it noticeably caused teeth sensitivity that discouraged us from using it every day.

Crest is no stranger to the at-home whitening world, but this latest innovation really is a game-changer. It takes the same beloved strips the brand is best known for and amps up its effects with blue light technology to provide unmatched results lasting up to 36 months. For 10 days, you wear the strips for an hour, then hold up the light device to the strips for another 10 minutes (five minutes each on the top and bottom). The light boasts the same technology found in dentist’s offices, which helps the hydrogen peroxide in the strips better penetrate the tooth enamel and ultimately removes yellow stains and leads to whiter teeth. And yes, it really works. We began to see a brightening effect by day five, and by day 10, our smile was noticeably a few shades lighter, while any bothersome stains had faded significantly. Colgate Optic White Pro Series Teeth Whitening Pen and LED Tray: If you’re short on time, this kit only requires 10 minutes per day, but it’s not the most comfortable after application (and it’s more expensive than similar kits). GLO Brilliant® White Smile At Home Teeth Whitening Device: Our teeth were much brighter after using this kit in testing, but the 24 minutes we had to spend walking around with an awkward device in our mouth make this a fairly inconvenient option, especially compared to less bulky competitor trays. For true whitening success, you need to know what type of whitening kit to use and whether or not whitening products are safe for you. Experts recommend avoiding whitening products altogether if you have gum or mouth disease, untreated tooth decay, or significantly worn enamel. If a specialist has given you the green light to begin using at-home whitening products, you can select the right product based on ingredients and price. In addition to having effective ingredients like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the best product for you will fit into your routine and budget.This directory by the English Speaking Healthcare Association will point you in the right direction. Visiting a dentist in Spain Unfortunately, the national healthcare system does generally not cover dental care. This means that going to the dentist in Spain is not free, with the exception of children under 15 and emergency treatment for adults. If you need routine treatment for your teeth you will have to pay for dental treatment. Alternatively, you can take out private dental health insurance. Since all types of whitening products are applied differently and have varying concentrations of ingredients, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for the application included with the specific product.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips: We found these strips to be affordable and convenient, but they definitely made our teeth more sensitive—so much so, in fact, that we had to discontinue testing early. While most dental care in Spain isn’t covered by the state, there are two exceptions. Children’s dental care To help you narrow down the list of whitening kits that will meet your needs, we tested the best options on the market. We tried out dozens of whitening kits, following each brand's specific instructions. Throughout the test, we paid close attention to how easy it was to use the product, whether we experienced any discomfort or teeth sensitivity, and how effective the product was in whitening our teeth. We then took careful notes on the appearance of our teeth before, during, and after the whitening process.An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the efficacy of active whitening ingredients.The GLO technology, which stands for Guided Light Optics, uses a combo of both light and heat to activate the hydrogen peroxide-based gel, so you get whiter teeth fast. Something worth noting: The device shuts off after eight minutes, though you have to repeat the process twice more after that. After doing three cycles for seven days in a row, you should notice improved results. We saw fairly subtle changes at the 10-day mark, but our teeth continued to get even brighter after the fact.