Disclosed herein are compositions that can rapidly evolve oxygen and/or activated oxygen generally including an oxidizing agent (e.g., a peroxide) and an activating agent that has an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm, namely Erythrosine B and at least one of an accelerating agent and a stabilizing agent. Methods of employing these compositions to whiten teeth, and methods of making these compositions and kits that include some or part of the composition ingredients, are also described.