Tested by The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but it’s the mouth that's in the spotlight right now. The formerly dusty category of oral care is now buzzing with exciting innovations that deliver fast, noticeable results when it comes to a fresher and brighter smile. Give your teeth the TLC they deserve with the GH Beauty Lab’s best-tested everyday basics and “wow” whiteners.
Take brushing to the next level with Philips: It gives a thorough clean that’s soft on teeth thanks to pressure sensors and technology that pushes fluid into crevices.
TEST RESULTS: The tool got perfect performance scores across the board for its ease of use, its lightweight and unobtrusive design, thoroughly cleaning teeth without discomfort, and making brushing more convenient. It left “a fresh-from-the-dentist feel,” a user noted, adding, “My teeth are smoother and noticeably whiter.” Another said, “My teeth felt so much cleaner than with other electric toothbrushes—I was impressed that it effectively cleaned all parts of my teeth.”
Perfect for home or on the go, the slim Suri aluminum electric toothbrush utilizes recyclable brush heads and comes in a variety of sophisticated colors. There’s also an optional travel case that both charges and cleans the brush.
TEST RESULTS: It received top scores for being simple to operate, having a streamlined size and a low noise level, and giving a professional-level teeth cleaning. A tester appreciated that it “didn’t take up much space.” Another called it “one of the most well-designed electronic toothbrushes I have tried.”
Gently brush your way to a gleaming smile with this unique Sensodyne formula, which buffs away stains while forming a barrier around sensitive areas.
TEST RESULTS: Testers found that it removed surface stains and plaque effectively yet felt comfortable on teeth. The toothpaste also left the teeth and the mouth feeling clean, freshened breath, and prevented tartar buildup. “I will keep using this for the whitening effects,” a user commented. Others said, “My mouth was fresh even long after I brushed,” and “It was more effective than other toothpastes I’ve used to clean or whiten my teeth.”
Bye, basic toothpaste: Hello “makes brushing fun” with a novel foaming formula that delivers an extra-invigorating feel and comes in two minty flavors.
TEST RESULTS: The gentle toothpaste didn’t cause sensitivity, rinsed off easily, freshened breath, and left the teeth and the mouth feeling fully clean. GH Beauty Lab testers were delighted by the whipped texture, noting that it felt “soft and smooth” on teeth. They called it “modern and thoughtfully designed.” A user raved, “This is my new favorite—I love everything about it!”
Freshen breath on the fly with these smart alcohol-free Listerine mouthwash packets that are small enough to fit in a pocket.
TEST RESULTS: They hit all the marks with testers, winning points for their minty flavor, not creating a burning sensation, instantly eliminating bad breath, and providing lasting freshness. “The convenient packaging didn’t spill upon opening,” a tester said. Another raved, “I will definitely buy and tell my family and friends.”
Colgate’s “convenient” wand whitens teeth while you sleep. A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the pen has a built-in brush that dispenses a 3% hydrogen peroxide–based liquid you can paint on teeth in seconds.
TEST RESULTS: The pen visibly lightened teeth 1.9 shades on average in one week in our lab assessments—plus, it ranked high for not irritating teeth. "The liquid dries very quickly, and being able to apply and go to bed with it on was so easy," a tester commented.
True to its claim of professional-level whitening, Crest’s hydrogen peroxide strips are a GH Beauty Lab gold standard for smile brightening.
TEST RESULTS: Our lab evaluations found that after daily application for 20 days, they lightened teeth a noticeable two to four shades. “I’ve been using these since they launched to keep my teeth bright,” a GH chemist said. Testers appreciated that the strips “really stuck to teeth, no slipping around” (referring to a common whitening strip complaint) and were “convenient to use.”
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she’s been doing hands-on testing of beauty products since 2022. She also covers aesthetic treatments like injectables and lasers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. When not at GH, you can find her wandering the beauty aisles of the drugstore.
