To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories Professional Teeth Bleaching Kit
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Thousands of people search for HiSmile reviews every month, which comes as no surprise. Some people swear by swilling coconut oil for whiter teeth or use activated charcoal and a teeth whitening kit in an attempt to remove stains. But the Kardashians' go-to teeth whitening product?The HiSmile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Full disclosure: the Kardashian clan have the best teeth already, and were no doubt paid to promote the HiSmile products on their Instagram accounts, but even so. After seeing Kylie Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian - and now Rita Ora - working on their Hollywood smiles with this curious little professional teeth whitening device, I wanted to give it a go myself. White teeth, incoming?
I've become more conscious of my teeth after two years of staring at my face on Zoom calls during lockdown, plus, I can't move for influencers waxing lyrical about it on Instagram.
In the product's description, the makers say they've worked closely with dentists, to ‘redefine the at-home teeth whitening experience’. This product has something called a ‘VIO405 light’ that is paired with 32 individual LEDs with an optimised wavelength. When combined with the brand's PAP+ formula, VIO405 apparently provides you with the whitest and brightest at-home whitening results.
When PAP+ whitens, the brand says it oxidises tooth stains without releasing harmful molecules known as free radicals. These radicals are what damage enamel and cause severe sensitivity. This means during the whitening process there is no damage or erosion to the enamel, meaning the outer layers of the tooth remain intact and can continue to protect the nerves whilst being effectively whitened.
“PAP+ has been designed to show optimal results in as little as 1 treatment,” claim the brand. “Maximum results are often seen after 1-2 treatments, so once satisfied, save any remaining Refills for future whitening before an important event or as a whitening boost.”
I drink too much coffee and too much red wine but because I have a penchant for whitening toothpastes (and am even partial to a spot of oil pulling), my teeth aren't too discoloured. While I don't want to emulate a cast member from Love Island's blindingly white gnashers, taking my smile a few shades lighter is the goal.
Firstly, I love the kit. It's neat, straightforward and compact. Inside the box I found the LED light (a gum shield-esque device attached to an LED light) and the whitening gel.
I inserted the tray into my mouth whilst watching Netflix and the 10 minutes flew by. I have super sensitive teeth and didn't feel a thing. After use, you simply wash out the tray and your mouth with water and head off to the land of nod. It really couldn't be much easier.
I didn't notice my teeth getting whiter by the day but after the six sessions, they'd definitely lightened by a few shades. Whilst I didn't receive any comments about their lighter hue (unlike when I tried whitening my teeth with oil pulling), I was pretty impressed with the results and the white finish has lasted a fair while. Thanks to this nifty little device, we really can Keep Up With The Kardashians.
The method: This off-the-counter option is a budget hero that delivers results over time, but most importantly cares for your dental hygiene. The way toothpastes and mouthwashes work to brighten your smile is by employing polishers and abrasives that will remove surface stains and lighten discolouration (like dark spots), combined with gentle chemical bleaching agents to whiten. The new Colgate Max White Expert Complete Whitening Toothpaste, also contains 'optic brighteners', which reflect blue light to make your teeth look instantly whiter. Kind of like how purple toning shampoo eliminates brassy tones and brightens blonde hair.
The results: Let us stress again: gentle chemical bleaching agents – otherwise you wouldn't be able to use them every day – so a toothpaste and a mouthwash will never get you a Hollywood-white smile. But they will help remove stains, giving the illusion of a whiter smile and keeping your mouth healthy. So it's a good idea to use these as continued treatments before and after other whitening methods.
Product suggestions: Listerine Advanced White, £5.60, Boots; Janina Ultrawhite Whitening Toothpaste, £11.50, Amazon, Colgate Max White Expert Complete Whitening £6, Amazon.
The method: Using dentist technology, the blue spectrum light helps to activate whitening gel to accelerate the removal of stains, yellowing and discolouration.
The results: From just the first use, your teeth will apparently start appearing whiter.
Product suggestions: White Glo White Accelerator (Blue Light Technology), £14.99
The method: Strips are the next step up from toothpaste, but can still easily be done at home. Strips are pre-coated in a gel that can contain hydrogen peroxide, and should be applied to dry teeth and left for up to an hour. Strips tend to have stronger whitening agents in them than toothpaste, and therefore should only be used every two weeks.
The results: While a whitening toothpaste will produce gradual results, strips have a more noticeable effect with a slight difference before and after use (especially the very first time you use them). When used in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste, you'll see the best results.
Product suggestions: Spotlight Teeth Whitening Strips, £40, Boots. Although only available in America, here's our review of the popular Crest strips.
The method: Aaaaah the white glove treatment! Do you really think celebrities use at-home kits every night? No, no they don't. This is a one stop shop (at the dentists office) with a starting price of £500 - yes, you've read that right. Overall, in clinic treatments will always be more effective than at-home ones: "Because the level of whitening agents is greatly reduced in kits like strips and gels. In clinic treatments can be tailored to your needs; if one tooth is significantly darker than others this can be targeted and brought up to a same colour as the others" - says Tim Bradstock-Smith, from The London Smile Clinic. In other words, your smile will be worthy of its price tag.
The results: A-list worthy and what we like most about this one: it's instantaneous! You won't have to wait to see progress or continue with the treatment for weeks. You just have to walk in and walk out of the dentist's office, 30 minutes (to an hour) later.
Product suggestions: The London Smile Clinic's brilliant Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment is £795 at The London Smile Clinic, Ground Floor East, 40-44 Clipstone Street, London W1W 5DW. Call 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londonsmile.co.uk for more information.
The method: Now we're crossing into professional territory. Although you might have heard that 'a friend of friend' bought the gel syringes and did it all at home, we strongly advise you to pay a visit to the dentist before trying this method. Here's why: while the whitening strips get great results, the gels can really give you that super white smile. Simply because strips contain 1% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide (the main whitening agent on all these products), while the gels can go up to 35% - yep, quite impressive.
And because just applying the gel onto your teeth, may cause irritation to the gums and unwanted whiter spots, you should have a tray made specifically for you - an online-bought ill-fitting tray can cause the same problems. So visit your dentist, they'll be able to tailor make a tray for you and administrate the gel percentage you should be using.
The results: The closer you'll get to an A-list worthy smile without paying the price of a professional Hollywood whitening treatment at the dentist's office. The treatment is done overnight for about a week or two, and may cause sensitivity. Bonus points for the long-lasting results (we're talking years people, years!).
Product suggestions: It is a known fact that the best whitening gels are not sold wholesale, but you can find products online if you already have your tray and just want a top-up.
The method: Charcoal is by far our favourite - and the most trendy - way of whitening teeth. DIY a whitening toothpaste by buying activated charcoal from your local health food store or pharmacy. As it is usually sold in tablets you can grind up one or two, and mix it with enough water to form a dense paste, which you will use to brush your teeth with for at least three minutes. Rinse and then brush your teeth normally with your usual toothpaste. You can also just buy ready-to-use charcoal formulas and toothpastes.
The results: Subtle, but definitely more visible than your regular whitening toothpaste & mouthwash. We love that the results are quick and organic.
Electric Mouth Spray Product suggestions: Polished London Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £14.99, Amazon; Teeth Whitening Activated Charcoal Powder 100% Natural, £9.99, Pro Teeth Whitening Co; Ecodenta Extra Black Whitening Toothpaste with Black Charcoal & Teavigo, £4.99, Amazon; Procoal Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £9.99, Amazon