Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
Dentistry
General
Malocclusion
Cosmetic
In this article
GLO Science™ is an award-winning, patented, and FDA-approved LED teeth whitening brand. They are the only at-home teeth whitening system that combines heat and blue LED light to give you faster results without sensitivity.
They offer two different at-home whitening kits, including GLO Brilliant™ and GLO Lit™. They also sell oral health products and professional teeth whitening kits for dentists.
The GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device is clinically proven to whiten up to five shades lighter in five days.
However, everyone is different, and the results depend on your starting shade and lifestyle habits. If you drink coffee, soda, or tea often, your teeth may take longer to whiten to the desired shade.
The GLO Lit Device is $50 cheaper than GLO Brilliant. Although less expensive, this kit is clinically proven to provide lasting whitening results without sensitivity. It also has wireless Bluetooth connectivity that connects to the GLO Whitening App.
If you want to skip the detailed review, you can view and buy GLO’s products here:
GLO Brilliant and GLO Lit have slightly different application processes, but both use the same ingredients:
To apply the gel, simply twist off the vial cap and paint a thin layer of gel on each tooth. The vials come with a small brush tip, allowing for easier application and less risk of gum irritation. Also, apply the lip balm before beginning the treatment session.
Once you’ve applied the gel to all of your front teeth, plug the mouthpiece in and place it in your mouth. Apply the lip balm between each application to prevent dry lips.
After the treatment time is complete (this varies between kits), rinse your mouth and the mouthpiece. Do not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes. Repeat daily until your teeth reach the desired color (up to seven days).
You should use GLO once a month after your first full treatment (five to seven days in a row). Every month, you’ll want to perform three or four back-to-back applications to maintain vibrant results.
If your teeth discolor quickly, you can perform a full whitening treatment every four to six months (up to seven consecutive days of whitening).
To maintain results even longer, GLO recommends limiting staining foods/beverages as much as possible. These include coffee, red wine, tea, curries, and soda, among others.
LED teeth whitening is safe for at-home use. Current research shows that LED whitening is effective when users follow the manufacturer's protocols.
LED as a light source is a safer alternative to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause cell mutations. An LED light does not lead to the mutation of cells or raise the risk of cancer. LED speeds up the whitening reaction without the risks of UV light.
During the LED teeth whitening process, you’ll apply a bleaching agent to your teeth. The LED light activates the whitening agent and starts the chemical reaction. When this reaction occurs, the blue LED light penetrates the enamel and removes stains.
GLO stands out in the LED teeth whitening industry for a few reasons, including:
GLO offers both at-home and professional teeth whitening solutions. You can order a kit online for $149 to $200 and use it in the comfort of home. This whitening treatment does not require a prescription or dentist appointment.
The company also sells GLO Science™ Professional teeth whitening kits to dental practices. These include in-office (chairside) kits, take-home kits, and more. This whitening treatment requires an appointment with a GLO dentist.
The GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device has received two prestigious Edison Awards in the “Consumer Packaged Goods” category. They won the silver medal in 2012 and the gold medal in 2013.
The Edison Awards is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product development. The vision is guided by the legacy of Thomas Edison and his Menlo Park team who brought a remarkable number of innovations to the market.
GLO uses patented G.L.O (Guided Light Optics) Technology, which is built into the mouthpiece. The technology allows the mouthpiece to gently warm up the whitening gel placed on your teeth. This speeds up the whitening process and brightens your teeth safely.
Unlike many teeth whitening products on the market, GLO Science is FDA-approved. This means the agency has determined that the "benefits of the product outweigh the known risks for the intended use.”
GLO does not cause sensitivity in the majority of customers. Even if you do experience sensitivity, it will likely be very mild and temporary.
GLO’s unique gel formula is carbamide peroxide and alcohol-free, which are common causes of tooth sensitivity. The gel is also designed to stay on your teeth and off your gums and soft tissues. This reduces the risk of sensitivity even more.
The whitening gel is applied with easy-to-use GLO Vial technology. The whitening process does not require runny gels, trays, or strips.
The G-Vials have a precision brush that allows you to target each tooth with ease (even your back teeth). The brushes also make it easy to stay away from your gums and soft tissues.
GLO's whitening gel is made with non-toxic ingredients to provide safe, effective, and cruelty-free whitening. It was formulated by a top aesthetic practicing dentist in New York.
| GLO | AuraGlow | Snow | |
| Best for Sensitive Teeth | Best Budget Whitening Kit | Best-Known Whitening Brand | |
| Cost | $199 | $80 | $149 |
| Free U.S. Shipping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whitening Time Per Day | 32 minutes | 30 minutes | 21 minutes |
| # of Treatments Included | 10 GLO Vials (40 applications) | 20 treatments for 20 days of whitening | 75 treatments |
| Enamel-Safe Ingredients | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heat Whitening Acceleration | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Money-Back Guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hands-Free Mouthpiece | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Minimal to No Sensitivity | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lip Treatment Included | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Made in the USA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1 Year+ Warranty | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FDA-Approved | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
GLO Brilliant is an innovative and clinically proven teeth whitening device.
It combines blue LED light and professional elements of heat. This provides fast, visible results without pain or sensitivity.
The Glo Brilliant Device includes:
Cost: $149
The patented Glo Mouthpiece is the science behind the brand’s innovation.
The mouthpiece combines a safe LED light and warming heat to activate and accelerate the brightening serum on your teeth.
It also has a closed system, preventing oxygen from escaping your teeth. This results in quicker and more effective whitening treatment.
The mouthpiece is a universal size. It whitens the top and bottom teeth at the same time.
The patented GLO Vials are used exclusively with GLO teeth whitening systems. The serum contains a glue-like formula that stays in place during the whitening process.
The unique precision brush targets each tooth individually. It also prevents the whitening gel from touching your gums. This helps minimize sensitivity and dryness.
Each GLO vial has enough serum for four applications (one full cycle of treatment). The GLO Brilliant kit includes 10 whitening G-Vials, which will last for 40 applications (10 full treatments).
The whitening gel is vegan, latex/gluten/cruelty-free, and made in the USA. You can buy an extra set of GLO Brilliant Vials to keep your teeth white all year long.
To use the kit, follow these steps:
GLO Brilliant is a great way to whiten your teeth quickly, effectively, and painlessly. The serum is easy to apply and does not fall off of your teeth while in use. The mouthpiece is also relatively comfortable and does not move around while whitening.
The eight-minute timer and lanyard work well and allow you to multitask freely. The best part about GLO is that it causes minimal sensitivity (if any). The serum also doesn’t taste too strong and has a pleasant mint flavor.
As with any product, there are a few downsides to GLO Brilliant whitening treatment.
For example, reapplying the gel every eight minutes can be messy. It is also essential to apply the GLO Lip Care treatment before each application to ensure the serum doesn’t harm your lips.
While in use, the LED light can also dry out your lips slightly.
GLO Brilliant costs $149 at full price. You can also select a payment plan through afterpay.
GLO Lit is a clinically proven teeth whitening device with wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
The device connects wirelessly to the GLO Whitening App. This allows you to schedule treatments, preview results, receive reminders, track progress, and more.
Like the GLO Brilliant Device, GLO Lit also incorporates the specially formulated serum and blue LED light/heating mouthpiece.
For best results, complete three consecutive applications per day for seven days. Then use as needed for touch-ups.
The GLO Lit Device includes:
To use the kit, follow these steps:
GLO Lit is a great way to whiten your teeth quickly, effectively, and painlessly. The serum is easy to apply and does not fall off of your teeth while in use. The mouthpiece is also relatively comfortable and does not move around while whitening.
GLO products also cause minimal sensitivity. The serum has a refreshing mint flavor and is not too strong.
In addition to these benefits, the GLO Lit device is also interactive. You can track whitening progress via the GLO app.
Like GLO Brilliant, it is essential to apply the GLO Lip Care treatment before each application. This ensures your gums and lips are not harmed. While in use, the LED light can also dry out your lips slightly.
One of our writers at NewMouth tried out the GLO Brilliant Whitening Kit for six days in a row. GLO recommends whitening your teeth for five to seven days straight (or up to 10 days). You only have to complete one treatment a day.
It took about three uses for her to see changes in tooth color. And, after the last day, her teeth were about two to three shades lighter.
However, she stopped whitening her teeth after the sixth day. The results started to fade quickly, which is why it's essential to maintain upkeep. After the first full treatment, you should use GLO whitening products once per month, performing three back-to-back applications in one day.
Positive takeaways:
Negative takeaways:
Summary
The GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device is clinically proven to whiten up to five shades lighter in five days. The GLO Lit Device is cheaper than GLO Brilliant. Although less expensive, this kit is clinically proven to provide lasting whitening results without sensitivity. It also has wireless Bluetooth connectivity that connects to the GLO Whitening App.
The NewMouth team compiled reviews from five websites where you can purchase GLO products. We found over 2,000 customer reviews in total. Most of the reviews are positive, while a small percentage of them are negative or somewhere in the middle. Almost 80 percent of GLO's reviews on Amazon are 4 stars or above.
Many of the positive reviews say the whitening products cause minimal to no sensitivity. They also say that the whitening results are quick and painless. GLO is on the more expensive end of at-home whitening kits, but many customer reviews mention that it is worth the price.
I have used Glo for several years. I had professional whitening done at my dentist's office and have maintained it after they switched to Glo. It causes zero sensitivity and excellent results!
GLO reviewer
love how it whitened my teeth, and how I could see results even after the first treatment! Most importantly, it did not cause any sensitivity which is a huge plus as other products gave me pain.
Amazon reviewer
Even though a majority of GLO's reviews are positive across multiple sites, some people were not completely satisfied with the products.
However, keep in mind that people who have thin enamel or dental restorations cannot whiten their teeth. Some people are also more prone to sensitivity than others (and sensitivity is a common side effect of all teeth whitening, even professional treatment).
Neglecting to read the instructions carefully before use can also result in poor outcomes.
I do notice a difference and I've only used it twice. However, you have to do 8 minutes 4 times to complete 1 treatment.
Amazon reviewer
It stopped charging and working after day 7. My teeth are not as white as I had hoped they would be, but that may be due to my genetics.
Amazon reviewer
The best place to buy GLO Teeth Whitening products is directly from their website. This is because they often have promos and discounts. You cannot get these deals on Amazon. You can also purchase GLO products directly from your dental office.
While GLO’s whitening formula is designed to produce zero sensitivity, it can still cause mild sensitivity in certain people. The LED light and formula can also cause mild lip dryness.
Ingredients include distilled water, polyethylene glycol, hydrogen peroxide (6%), potassium nitrate, glycerin, edetate disodium, sodium saccharin, sodium fluoride, sodium hydroxide, and flavor.
No. Since GLO’s unique gel formulation is alcohol-free and carbamide-peroxide-free, sensitivity risks are very low.
Yes. You should brush your teeth with toothpaste for two minutes before using GLO.
Yes, Dr. Levine (creator of GLO) recommends applying the lip treatment before each application. This keeps your lips moist and is a professional lip protectant.
GLO is completely safe to use on dental restorations, including bonded teeth, porcelain veneers, fillings, crowns, caps, bridges, implants, and similar.
Remember: whitening products will not bleach restorations, only untreated teeth.
GLO whitening cannot be used with braces. Wait until you get them taken off before starting the treatment process.
GLO has been clinically proven to whiten teeth five shades lighter in five days. However, results vary from person to person.
GLO whitening gel contains 6 percent hydrogen peroxide.
GLO Vials can be stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration.
Swallow as you normally would while the GLO whitening gel is on your teeth and/or when the mouthpiece is in your mouth. The gel is formulated to stay on your teeth until it evaporates and dissolves.
All medical content on this site, including this guide and other product reviews, is written by our team of experienced writers and researchers.
All NewMouth writers vet products that are recommended and reviewed in the industry.
In cases where this is not possible, our team will:
Every piece of content is heavily reviewed before publication. All content on NewMouth is also medically reviewed by a licensed dentist, specifically any content where we recommend products.
Our dentists are specifically instructed to flag any recommendations they don’t agree with. Any products that don’t meet their professional standards are removed.
In this article
