To choose the best teeth whitening pen, begin by considering whether the pen needs to be applied once or twice per day. Though it may be more convenient to only apply the whitening pen once per day, it may take longer if the whitening gel is only applied at night. Consider also the percentage of peroxide that is included in the pen; the higher the amount of peroxide, the quicker the whitening will take place.
Teeth whitening systems for use at home, including a teeth whitening pen, will all include a certain percentage of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide acts as the active ingredient, bleaching surface stains on teeth while not causing any damage to the enamel. A higher percentage of peroxide in the pen will help the whitening to take place faster, and will generally create more noticeable results than teeth whitening systems with lower concentrations of peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide can cause tooth and gum sensitivity, however. If the teeth whitening pen is causing sensitivity, it may be best to skip a day in between treatments, or to switch to a teeth whitening system with a lower concentration of peroxide. The tooth sensitivity is often only temporary, however, and will usually go away within a few days. Teeth whitening pens typically cause less sensitivity than sticky strips or trays for tooth whitening.
You may also choose a whitening pen based on the recommendation of your dentist, or by reading reviews online. Many people post reviews on websites that sell teeth whitening systems, and they may detail how well the treatment worked and if it caused tooth sensitivity. This can be a great way to find the top-rated ones. Otherwise, choosing the best teeth whitening pens is often a matter of trial and error until you find one that works well for you; it is best to avoid dark beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, or red wine while attempting to whiten the teeth.
Teeth whitening pens are convenient because they whiten between teeth, rather than just the surface of the teeth. This is especially convenient for people with orthodontia, who may find it difficult to use any other type of whitening system. It can be difficult to achieve big changes with a teeth whitening pen, so some people receive professional whitening from the dentist first and then maintain the results with the whitening pen.