Dazzling white teeth are commonplace on the red carpet and the big screen, but not so much in everyday life. Many of us would love a brighter smile, but want an easy, affordable way to get it. Enter whitening pens. Effective, portable, and easy on the wallet, they’re a solid solution for discolored teeth — and BrightByte Pro is a popular choice, especially among clear aligner customers.
But they’re hardly the only whitening pens out there. You’ve got options, and if you want to determine if Byte’s whitening pens are the best choice for you, you’re in the right place. This is your comprehensive guide to BrightByte Pro Travel Pens.
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BrightByte Pro Whitening Pens at a Glance
Byte is best known for delivering custom clear aligner treatments straight to customers’ homes. But since their start in 2017, they’ve constantly looked for ways to expand and improve. One of them was whitening. They started with BrightByte, a foam you could pump directly into your aligners, and have since expanded to whitening pens and an LED kit called BrightByte Pro.
They’ve designed their whitening pens as a way to take the power of BrightByte Pro on the go. Compact enough to slip into a bag or pocket, the pens are easy to use, and they even come with a desensitizing gel to help reduce the dental sensitivity that’s so common with other whitening products.
Unlike powerful tray- and LED-based whitening kits, it only works for surface stains, but it’s an effective way to maintain a bright smile. Plus, it’s compatible with Byte’s clear aligners, so it won’t disrupt your treatment. However, you can’t purchase BrightByte pens in stores, so you’ll need to order it from their website.
Pros & Cons of BrightByte Pro Whitening Pens
BrightByte Pro Travel Pens are a go-anywhere solution to discolored teeth, and they might cause less sensitivity than some other whitening treatments, but they’re not perfect. Here are some of their most prominent pros and cons.
Pros
- BrightByte’s formula is much more powerful than other pens.
- Byte includes desensitizing gel with their whitening pen, reducing the amount of tooth sensitivity you feel.
- It’s portable, discreet, and easy to apply.
- You can use it with the BrightByte LED kit for extra speed and power.
Cons
- The only place you can buy it is on Byte’s website.
- It’s slightly more expensive than some competitors.
Are BrightByte Pro Travel Pens a Good Buy?
From what we know about their at-home clear aligner treatment, Byte creates quality products and takes care of their customers. Their BrightByte pens might be slightly more expensive and harder to get than other companies, but their effectiveness, compatibility with the LED kit, and gentleness on sensitive teeth could make them totally worth it for you.
Effectiveness
If a whitening treatment can’t actually whiten your teeth, it’s not living up to its name. That’s why, more than anything else, you need confidence that your whitening pens will work.
Overall, pens are slightly less effective than strips and trays, since they use lower peroxide concentrations and can’t hold the gel to your teeth. But if there’s a whitening pen that can rival those other methods, it’s BrightByte Pro.
Their formula uses 35% carbamide peroxide. That might sound like a lot, but although carbamide peroxide contains hydrogen peroxide, it’s not as potent, so 35% is equivalent to around 11.5% hydrogen peroxide. But that’s still a powerful concentration for whitening pens. For reference, Colgate’s pens use 3% hydrogen peroxide and Phillips Zoom pens use 5.25%. Like most other pens, it’s typically best for surface stains. Deeper, darker stains will probably require a more robust treatment.
Byte says you will see results in as little as three days if you use the pens consistently (no more than once per day). And if you want to speed the process up, you can pair them with the BrightByte Pro LED kit, which costs $199.
Affordability
Whitening treatments come at a wide range of price points, from professional options that go for $500–$1,000 to the lower end of the spectrum, where you’ll find whitening pens. They’re the most affordable type of whitening, although Byte’s pens are a tiny bit more expensive than some others.
Each pen costs $25, and according to a Byte representative, you get about 30 uses out of one pen. That puts your price at about $0.83 per whitening session, which is affordable, but not quite as low as most other whitening pens.
But remember that you also get a pen of desensitizing gel with your purchase, something that other companies don’t include. So if you have sensitive teeth, or you just want to protect yourself against sensitivity, it’s probably worth the extra few dollars.
Besides, we’re talking about a pretty small difference here. A MOON whitening pen, for example, costs $19.99 for 30–40 uses, and a Phillips Zoom pen costs $23 on average for around 30 uses. So in the end, it’s not that much more expensive.
Quality of Ingredients
As much as they might seem like it, whitening pens aren’t magic. They’re powered by a mix of ingredients, and understanding these ingredients is important to knowing what’s happening to your teeth.
Byte has designed their formula to effectively whiten teeth while reducing or eliminating sensitivity. They use carbamide peroxide (aka urea peroxide), which is a powerful whitening agent. But it’s not pure peroxide (thank goodness). Byte uses a host of other ingredients to balance its effectiveness and gentleness. They are:
- Water: Keeps the gel in liquid form so it’s easy to apply.
- A Plant-Based Glycerin: Pulls water from the enamel so the peroxide can more easily enter the pores.
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): Helps stop stains from sticking to the teeth.
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Assists in stabilizing the other ingredients.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Helps clean the teeth.
- Sucralose: This is a sweetener that improves the whitening solution’s flavor.
- Sodium Citrate: Helps prevent calculus formation.
- Sodium Benzoate: Breaks up surface stains.
- Etidronic Acid: This is a binding agent that strategically suppresses some chemical activity.
- Mentha Arvensis (Mint) Oil: Used to improve the flavor of the whitening solution.
It’s a highly effective blend, but some people want a gel with fewer ingredients. If that’s you, Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen has just three ingredients. And if you want a more natural option, look into Lumineux.
Convenience
If you feel like you’ve barely got enough time to eat lunch during the day, let alone whiten your teeth, pens might be your best friend. You don’t have to apply any strips, measure any gel in a syringe, or prep and clean any trays. Plus, they’re slim enough to slip into a bag, purse, or pocket and take on the go.
That makes Byte’s whitening pens more convenient than treatments involving strips, trays, or LED lights. Just floss and brush your teeth with a fluoride-free toothpaste before using it. Then pull your lips back, twist the pen to release the gel, and apply it to the visible surfaces of your teeth, avoiding your gums. Keep your lips pulled back until it dries, which shouldn’t take long. After 10–16 minutes, rinse the gel off your teeth and go about your day.
If you feel any sensitivity, or you already have sensitive teeth you want to protect, apply a layer of the desensitizing gel afterward.
The entire process is quick enough to perform on a break at work, sitting in your car (just not while driving!), or anywhere else. Plus, unlike whitening trays, you can do other things while you’re waiting for the gel to work its magic. Byte says you can see results in as few as three days, and if you use the pens along with their LED light, they might work even faster.
Using BrightByte Pro pens along with their LED mouthpiece? You’ll have a couple extra steps. Check out our review of the BrightByte Pro LED Kit for a full explanation of its features and benefits, plus thorough instructions on how to use it.
Comfort
Whitening your teeth isn’t what most people would describe as comfortable, no matter which treatment you choose. It’s not painful, but it can be a little awkward, especially if you’re using strips or trays. Although pens avoid some of that discomfort, they can still taste bad and cause sensitivity. But Byte takes measures to prevent that.
They say they designed their gel formula specifically to prevent sensitivity. And even though they use a powerful concentration of peroxide, they also provide a desensitizing gel.
But peroxide doesn’t taste great, regardless of its type or concentration. That’s why Byte uses sucralose and mint oil to give their gel a minty, slightly sweet flavor instead. Even if you’re not a big mint fan, it’s miles better than the taste of straight peroxide.
As far as we can tell, Byte’s whitening pens don’t leave a texture on your teeth. After you rinse it away, your pearly whites will feel as smooth as they always have.
What Are Customers Saying?
There aren’t many reviews specifically for the BrightByte Pro LED kit or Travel Pens. However, the few that we found were positive — customers were often pleased with their results and said the products work well.
In more general reviews about Byte’s clear aligners, many customers mention the BrightByte foam included free with treatment, and almost all of them love it. They’re impressed by how quickly it works and how easy it is to use in conjunction with their aligners. Certain customers didn’t really love its flavor, and a few said it didn’t whiten their teeth as much as they’d hoped, but these complaints are rare.
We understand that this is a different product than the BrightByte Pro Travel Pens, but if the company’s whitening foam is that easy and effective, their other whitening products probably are too.
Final Thoughts
Byte has taken the quality-focused approach and attention to detail they use for their clear aligners and applied it to their whitening products — and it shows in their BrightByte Pro Travel Pens. They’re easy to use, fast-acting, and designed with comfort in mind.
Maybe that all sounds perfect to you. Or maybe you’ve got some reservations. Either way, it’s worth researching all your options before committing. Check out our review of the five best whitening pens below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose whitening pens over strips and trays?
We think the main benefits of choosing whitening pens are:
- They make it easy to prevent chemical burns on the gums.
- They’re portable.
- You don’t need to carefully measure the gel, just twist until you see some on the brush.
- If you only want to whiten certain teeth, you can specifically target them.
Can it really be safe to whiten your teeth at home?
At-home whitening isn’t new. Millions of people do it every year. Just consult your dentist beforehand, avoid knock-offs, follow the directions included with your pen, and make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients.
Why are my teeth discolored?
Everyone is susceptible to teeth discoloration, though some are more at risk than others. The number-one culprit behind yellowing teeth is bad habits — like smoking and drinking dark beverages like coffee or red wine. However, genetics also play a role. Those with stronger enamel are less likely to see their teeth yellow as they age.
Can whitening pens correct all types of stains?
No. For example, sometimes teeth look yellow due to enamel loss allowing the naturally yellow dentin to show through. In these cases, no whitening product will make a difference.
How often can I use whitening pens?
Follow the directions that come with your product. Peroxide opens the pores of the teeth and makes it easier to damage the enamel, so using them more than directed can be dangerous.
Are there any tricks to keeping my lips off my teeth until the gel dries?
Most people just smile wide, but this doesn’t work for everyone. A simple hack is to use cotton balls under the lips and over the gums.
Will whitening pens change the color of restorative dentistry?
They can remove surface stains but they will not alter the original color of caps, crowns, or veneers.
Is it safe to whiten your teeth while wearing braces?
It isn’t dangerous, but it also isn’t a good idea. Whitening gel can’t get underneath braces’ brackets, so it will brighten your teeth unevenly. If you have removable appliances, like aligners, then whitening your teeth should be fine, but check with your doctor first.
