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These Bizarre Teeth Whitening Kits Actually Work

by Shayna Murphy

Like a lot of people, I literally can't function in the morning until I have a cup (or three) of coffee. But when it comes to maintaining dental hygiene, all that coffee obviously isn't a good thing. In fact, coffee is among the leading causes of tooth discoloration. For that reason, I'm always experimenting with the best teeth whitening kits.

But coffee isn't the only thing that can stain teeth, soda, wine, smoking, and believe it or not, certain kinds of fruits and vegetables are also common culprits. Luckily, there are a variety of at-home teeth whitening kits that are easy to use and more affordable than going to the dentist for a professional whitening treatment. From all-natural powders to charcoal strips (and even a strange but really effective whitening stick), there are literally tons of options to choose from.

Getting brighter, whiter teeth doesn't have to be a hassle, even if you're super-serious about getting rid of set-in stains. With this list of the most effective at-home teeth whitening kits, you can pick and choose between six of the most popular, highly rated options and even see what top reviewers are saying about what makes these kits worth smiling about.

1This All-In-One Kit That Will Leave You With A Glowing Smile

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit, $47, Amazon

If you want a teeth whitening method that comes with everything you need to get quick results, this all-in-one whitening kit is a great buy. It comes with two syringes filled with 35 percent carbamide peroxide gel, which scrubs away stains and helps leave teeth looking polished. This kit also features a one-size-fits-all, BPA-free silicone mouth tray and an LED light, which attaches directly to the mouth tray and works in conjunction with the gel to speed up the whitening process. Best of all, each treatment only takes 30 minutes and you should see results after one day of use.

2This Clay-Based Powder That's Perfect If You're On A Paleo Diet

The Dirt All-Natural Tooth Powder, $20, Amazon

"My teeth are so much whiter and each time I use The Dirt I feel like I've just seen my dentist for a cleaning, except it didn't cost me what I would have paid the dentist," raved one reviewer of this all-natural tooth powder. It's made from extra-fine bentonite clay that helps re-mineralize teeth and leaves them stronger and whiter looking with each use. Because this powder also is made with traces of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, and orange, it has a sweet taste all its own and is ideal if you're on a paleo diet.

3These Black Whitening Strips That Are Mare With Charcoal

LDreamAm Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Strips, $15, Amazon

Charcoal is the biggest trend in whitening right now, but it's mostly used in powder or paste form. These ultra-convenient charcoal strips offer all the benefits of charcoal — including being chemical-free and tough on stains — but they're safer on enamel than their powder and paste counterparts, and designed to be easy to wear throughout the day. For the best results, you'll want to wear these strips for 60 minutes per treatment. One reviewer commented: "These strips are easy to apply and they stay stuck to your teeth until you're ready to remove them. You can easily talk, have a cup of coffee (Ironic!!), etc, and they stay put."

4This Teeth Whitening Gel That Delivers Professional Results At Half The Cost

Opalescence PF 35 Percent Teeth Whitening, $42 (8 Pack, Mint), Amazon

If you're looking for a teeth whitening option that really offers dentist-quality results but at a fraction of the cost, this patented whitening gel is a must-have. This set comes with eight syringes, and the gel itself consists of fluoride, potassium nitrate, and 35 percent carbamide peroxide gel, which is more concentrated than hydrogen peroxide and helps remove stains from wine, coffee, and other sources of discoloration. "I have been a hygienist for over 20 years," one reviewer wrote. "When I got out of school, my instructor turned me on to this whitener. I used it one time and did not have to whiten my teeth for years."

5This Fluoride-Free Whitening Powder That's Great On Sensitive Teeth

Eco-Dent Extra Brite Tooth Whitener, $8, Amazon

You'll get up to 200 brushes per bottle of this fluoride-free whitening powder, which uses baking powder, sea salt, and peroxide to remove set-in sources of discoloration. But if you have sensitive teeth, you'll really love this powder because it's not ultra-abrasive like other kits can be. "AWESOME, great for sensitive teeth," wrote one reviewer. Another commented: "I used to have issues with hot/cold beverages, everything bothered my teeth. This product has really made a difference and my dentist is happy with my teeth do I'll keep using it."

6This Weird AF Natural Whitening Stick That Actually Works

Miswak Club Natural Teeth Whitening Kit, $20, Amazon

This whitening kit is unlike anything else around, because it doesn't include any powders, pastes, or LED lights, or need water to work. It's just a stick, but according to hundreds of glowing reviews it's amazing at getting rid of stains and yellow discoloration, plus it can fit conveniently in your purse or pocket for daily use. One reviewer commented: "[The miswak works] perfectly and made my teeth much cleaner than I was expecting without any toothpaste whatsoever!"

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