How to Whiten Your Teeth Instantly, According to Dentists

Though we try not to generalize, it's safe to say that everyone is interested in whiter teeth. As we all know, the best route to a sparkling, stain-free smile is a buttoned-down oral health routine—but if you want to know how to whiten your teeth instantly, keep reading. We asked two top cosmetic dentists to share how safe and realistic it is to try to whiten your teeth in one day, and offer up their best suggestions for how to achieve maximum whitening in 24 hours or less.

Chemical v. Mechanical Whitening

Cosmetic dentist Brian Harris explains that different types of whitening procedures treat different kinds of stains. "There's a difference between chemical teeth whitening and mechanical teeth whitening," he says. "Chemical teeth whitening uses chemicals to remove intrinsic stains and mechanical teeth whitening uses abrasives added to toothpaste to remove extrinsic stains. Intrinsic discoloration is caused by genetics, trauma or medication side effects. This refers to the actual internal color of the teeth, and these stains can only be brightened with chemical teeth whitening."

What Causes Stains?

The most common stains are a result of extrinsic discoloration, which Harris says most of us experience and is caused by things that stain the teeth, like coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking. "These kinds of stains are best treated with mechanical teeth whitening," he explains.

Ultimately, it is possible to see results in one day with chemical teeth whitening options, although mechanical whitening takes, according to Harris, "patience and time."

The Best Whitening Agent

Cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg says that the most effective whitening agent is hydrogen peroxide. In-office whitening procedures like Zoom Advanced Power whitening can see immediate results because dentists use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with a "light source directly on the teeth to break up all the molecules that cause staining and discoloration," he explains. Over-the-counter methods, on the other hand, use "7-10% hydrogen peroxide or a derivative called carbamide peroxide. You might see instant results with this product, but they will be slight."

He explains that the longer the active peroxide stays on the teeth, the better the results. However, this doesn't mean you should keep products designed for at-home use on longer than directed. "Dentists take all the necessary precautions protecting the teeth and gums during in-office whitening," he says. "OTC products require that you follow the directions exactly or you run the risk of causing damage to your gums."

How Long Does It Take to Whiten Teeth?

The immediacy of results depends on what method you use to whiten your teeth. "Whitening toothpaste is going to take at least 30 days," says Harris. When choosing a good whitening toothpaste, Harris recommends choosing one with a "low RDA value (this measures how abrasive a product is). The key is to find one that is abrasive enough to remove stains but not so abrasive that it damages the enamel."  We like Go Natural's Herbal Whitening Toothpaste ($8.)

Lowenberg says you can see noticeable results from strips or custom trays in five to 14 days. When it comes to achieving immediate results in one day, both cosmetic dentists recommend in-office procedures. Lowenberg says expect to spend 90 minutes in the chair for an in-office whitening procedure that provides an instant reduction of stains and discoloration.

The Best Teeth Whitening Methods

If you have a few days to work on your smile, Harris advises you to start with some whitening strips. "Within a couple days, you will start to see results," he says. Try trimming the strips to fit your mouth and be sure to keep the whitening agent away from gums, as it might cause irritation.

The one drawback to using strips, Harris says, is that they often don't cover the full "arch of teeth." But, it's a rather quick, safe option for whitening front teeth with ease. Byrdie editor-approved options include Burst Teeth Whitening Strips ($30) and GLO Science GLO Vials ($65.

Custom Whitening Trays

Custom whitening trays from your dentist are another great option if you have a week or so to see results. For about $250, the trays from your dental office allow you to whiten all surfaces of the teeth with a more powerful whitening gel, which usually gets more predictable results.

In-Office Treatments

To whiten teeth in one day, an in-office whitening treatment might be the best bet. Just beware of the sensitivity side effects. Harris adds that in-office, same-day systems like Zoom Advanced Power is highly effective for immediate results when dealing with stains caused by internal discoloration. The process costs about $500 and "often comes with extreme tooth sensitivity after the process," he warns. "It is great for those that just don’t have the time or patience for at-home whitening strips or custom trays."