The 6 Best Teeth Whitening Kits

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Remove the skull with a pair of tongs and take it to the sink. With some forceps, try to pick at any obviously loosened flesh and peel it away. Soft muscles like the ones around the cheeks and jaws are usually easiest to remove first. Be gentle, don't force it - if you can't remove a particular piece of flesh, put the skull back in the pot and let it sit another 20 minutes or so. Repeat this process until the bone is free of all meat. Care must be taken to avoid breaking or marring the bone. Don't pull, tweeze, or push too hard, especially in delicate areas such as inside the nasal cavity or around the Auditory bullae. Beyond removing the leathery flesh of the nose, I don't even bother with the nasal cavity until much later. Eventually you will find that the brain within the skull has begun to break apart and some particles may be coming out of the back of the skull.