I’m a Huge Coffee Drinker—This Is the Only Teeth Whitener That Works

If you have a rampant coffee (or red wine) habit, it might be time to give your pearly whites some love with one of the best teeth-whitening products. And not to fret: We’ve got you covered with teeth-whitening strips, toothpastes, and more. We asked a handful of dentists for their recommendations and then put them to the test ourselves. Our top pick was the Crest 3D White Brilliance 2 Step Kit because it transformed coffee-stained teeth to icy white in just a few nights. We also found other teeth-whitening products that suit sensitive teeth, including a pen that you can use every day, and strips to slap on right before your next big event. While professional whitening treatments are the gold standard for removing deeply embedded stains, these at-home teeth whiteners can be effective with consistent use.

The best teeth-whitening products, at a glance

How we chose the best teeth-whitening products

Best Overall: Crest 3D White Brilliance 2-Step Kit

Original photo from Emily Tannenbaum testing Crest 3D White Brilliance 2 Step Kit

Original photo from Emily Tannenbaum testing Crest 3D White Brilliance 2-Step Kit

• Pros: More effective than one-step whitening toothpastes
• Cons: Even though it requires the same amount of time you should spend on brushing your teeth, adding the additional step can be annoying.

“This is my favorite over-the-counter whitening product because it gives patients noticeable results in under a week’s time that also won’t break the bank,” says Lauren Becker, DDS, a dentist certified in biomimetic dentistry in New York. “White strips can be bulky and annoying, and require consistency and time. While all this requires is the two minutes that you should already be brushing your teeth,” she says. To use this teeth-whitening toothpaste, first apply the foaming toothpaste, “which helps remove plaque while helping prevent sensitivity,” says Dr. Becker, and brush for one minute before moving to toothpaste number two, which contains peroxide, for another minute.

“Hear me out: This is kind of like concealer for your teeth! Unlike whitening strips or overnight pen treatments, the Crest 3-D White Brilliance duo is a simple two-minute process that instantly brightened my smile. You just brush your teeth for one minute with the deep-cleansing toothpaste before repeating the process with the whitening gel (just don’t rinse in between steps). As someone with an iced-coffee addiction but very sensitive teeth, I find it nearly impossible to sit with whitening strips for 20 to 30 minutes as the bleaching agents go to work on my enamel. Though step two of this brightening treatment still set off my nerve endings, the discomfort lasted just seconds before it was over, and the results were still pretty noticeable. I’d say this is the perfect product to give you a boost of confidence before a date or event, as opposed to a replacement for a true whitening session with a dentist,” says Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum.

Best Overnight Treatment: Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen

Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen

Original photo from Emily Tannenbaum testing Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

Original photo from Emily Tannenbaum testing Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen

• Pros: Affordable; easy to use; minimizes risk of sensitivity
• Cons: Can be awkward to keep lips away from your teeth while the gel dries

Here’s another affordable drugstore option; Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS, a celebrity cosmetic dentist in New York, recommends Colgate’s Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen, which nets out to less than $1 per treatment. “I have been blessed with pretty white teeth, but I am a huge tea and coffee drinker. Before my wedding, I wanted a little refresh,” says Glamour contributor Macaela MacKenzie “I found the brush applicator much easier to use than white strips, which always annoy me and can cause gum irritation. Plus, it works fast: Brush on the hydrogen-peroxide-based formula before bed and wake up to brighter teeth.”

“This pick is definitely a weaker formula than other whiteners I’ve tried, but that could be a good thing. There’s absolutely no discomfort throughout the night, so it’s a great option for sensitive teeth if you have time to wait for the results. I personally didn’t mind the weird film it created over my teeth and was able to sleep as normal, so I’d definitely choose this treatment over a strip. However, I was a little grossed out by putting the brush back into the pen to get more product and then reusing it. I would much prefer a click-pen option that disperses directly onto the brush,” says Tannenbaum.

Best Whitening Toothpaste: Colgate Optic White Pro Series Stain Prevention

Colgate Optic White Pro Series Stain Prevention Toothpaste

Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary

Original image by Glamour reviewer

Original image by Glamour reviewer

• Pros: Safe for enamel
• Cons: Can make teeth a little sensitive

If you’re concerned about the potential damage to tooth enamel, Alice Hoang, DMD, FAGD, founder of Brooklyn Mint, a dental practice in New York, recommends Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste. It’s effective (the formula contains 5% hydrogen peroxide) and gentle. “It’s one of the least abrasive options, so it’s gentler on enamel and less likely to exacerbate tooth recession and sensitivity,” she says.

One Glamour reviewer shared that after using this toothpaste for a week and a half, he actually noticed a stark difference. “My teeth are definitely several shades whiter now, and I found the formula to have a nice lather and consistency—it didn’t feel chalky in my mouth, and it actually didn’t feel all that different from my regular toothpaste, which was a huge plus for me,” he says. “As someone with sensitive teeth, I was also concerned that this toothpaste was going to be harsh, but I found that it was extremely gentle and didn’t make me feel extra sensitive at all.”

Best Whitening Strips: ​​Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

​​Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Original photo from Kassidy Davidson testing Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Original photo from Kassidy Davidson testing Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Original photo from Kassidy Davidson testing Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

• Pros: Affordable; easy to use; delivers close to professional-level results
• Cons: Can cause sensitivity

“There’s a reason Crest 3D Whitestrips are so popular—it’s one of the few white strips I’ve seen actually work, and it’s made by one of the most trusted brands in dentistry,” says Dr. Hoang. The nonslip hydrogen-peroxide-based teeth-whitening strips likely won’t give you the same level of results as you’d get with a professional whitening treatment, but they’ll get you close enough that you won’t notice. “I’ve used Crest Whitestrips for probably close to a decade now, with no desire to try any other whitening products (which are often pricier). They’re just so easy,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I mostly use them for maintenance at this point—a couple times a month, I stick them to my teeth, go about my business for 30 minutes, and emerge with whiter teeth (that people compliment me on!). I don’t wear them every day or even every week because I’ve noticed that my teeth will get sensitive to cold afterwards, but even once a month is good enough for me.”