Our mouths might still be covered up by masks when we’re out, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want that bright smile during video meetings or, you know, at-home selfie sessions. Even if your teeth are a little crooked, having pearly whites immediately brightens up your entire face, and signals good health and hygiene.

Here are effective, affordable ways to whiten your teeth at home, all road-tested by your friendly neighborhood Beauty Enthusiast. (Don’t forget to still visit your dentist every six months!)

Whitening Toothpaste

Using a whitening toothpaste daily is a great way to prevent coffee or wine stains, but abrasive ingredients or high peroxide content isn’t ideal for daily use.

For gentler daily whitening, try Splat White Plus toothpaste, which just recently became available in the Philippines (Watsons, Shopee, Lazada). Instead of harsh abrasives or whiteners, it contains rounded polishing particles and papaya enzymes for gentle daily brightening. Splat White Plus toothpaste doesn’t contain SLEs or products of animal origin.

Available at Watsons, Shopee, and Lazada

Bamboo Charcoal Powder

In the same way it’s recommended to exfoliate our skin a couple of times a week, we can also give our teeth a “scrub” once or twice a week.

I use activated bamboo charcoal powder for teeth since it’s natural and affordable. There are several options on Shopee with thousands of 5-star reviews. Be warned it does make a mess of your sink if you aren’t careful.

I’ll put toothpaste on my toothbrush then dip it in the charcoal powder, then brush. Or, if I feel like I need a “deeper” clean, I’ll spread the powder all over my teeth and leave it on for a few minutes, then brush and rinse.

Be careful never to brush too hard, with or without the charcoal powder, since this can damage tooth enamel and make your gum line recede more quickly.

Available on Shopee

Teeth Whitening Strips

I’ve used Crest Whitening Strips over the years and it is noticeably effective for a dazzlingly white smile that will fetch compliments. This is really what whitened my teeth by several shades.

I will only use it for a few consecutive days every year, though, because it does have high peroxide content and my teeth start to feel sensitive usually after the fifth day.

A few users have said they can’t stand it at all even on the first use. If you want to try it, there’s an option to buy these in sample packs.

Available on Lazada

LED Teeth Whitening

My Pure White teeth whitening kit combines peroxide with LED light technology to whiten teeth by as much as six shades in six days. The kit comes with whitening pens that are brushed onto the teeth and a wireless LED mouthpiece that is pre-timed and will beep when it’s time to remove it in 10-15 minutes. My Pure White is cruelty-free, vegan, and clinically tested.

Available for domestic shipping from mypurewhite.com