At Home Teeth Whitening Products That Work

 

How much do we love a bright smile? About a billion dollars’ worth—that’s the amazing amount Americans spend on over-the-counter tooth whiteners every year. But which products actually deliver the dental dazzle? Read on for the most effective picks for pearlier whites. Whitening Strips According to recent scientific research, consumer magazine testing and good old customer feedback, dental whitening strips brighten better than anything outside of a professional in-office visit. The best? Crest 3D Whitestrips—their 9.5% peroxide blend bleaches teeth up to three shades lighter when worn once a day for two weeks. The newer “advanced seal” means these grip teeth better than old-school Whitestrips, so they don’t shift around. Crest also gets high marks for other offerings in their whitening line, including Professional Effects and their more affordable Vivid package. Gels and Trays If you prefer to precisely place your tooth-whitening solution or like the idea of using tray systems to achieve a more dazzling grin, there are some very effective choices on the market. The GO SMiLE Whitening System offers neat little ampoules that you pop open and brush on for quick and convenient lightening. The solution not only gets thumbs up from those with sensitive choppers, it tastes surprisingly pleasant. (GO SMiLE also offers a Pre-Whitening Gel pack for a speedier and more spectacular shade change.) Confining a peroxide gel in a tray is a more powerful method of stain removal, as the cleaning agent won’t be compromised by the mouth’s saliva. It may also irritate sensitive teeth and gums, so we’d advise using over-the-counter trays (or any intensive teeth whitening product) only after seeing your dentist for a once-over. That said, an effective mouth-guard-style whitening choice is Aquafresh White Trays—these are pre-filled with a cleaning solution for convenience and fit average-sized mouths best. Toothpaste No whitening toothpaste can match the stain-blasting power of strips, gels or tray systems as even those containing peroxide don’t stay on your teeth long enough to bleach, but the best ones are a great addition to your “get gleaming” arsenal. They’ll scrub away superficial surface stains so that the results from your last intensive whitening routine don’t quickly fade. If you want that bright smile to survive, try to brush after every meal with one of our recommended toothpastes. (Note: dentists recommend you use over-the-counter whitening kits only once or twice a year to avoid enamel damage, so it’s smart to extend the results with the right toothpaste.) Which toothpastes clean the best? Experts love Colgate Total, as it provides superior cleaning, fluoride protection and an antibacterial kick to boot. Arm & Hammer Advance White also gets super-high marks, as does Colgate ProClinical toothpaste. Our bargain bet is the cult fave Ultrabrite Advanced Whitening—it’s got the chops to thoroughly clean your choppers. Rinse, Floss and Gum While over-the-counter teeth whiteners vary in their power, you’ll get approximately three to four shades lighter with the best strips and trays, a little less brightening with brush-on gels and about one shade of noticeable difference with superior whitening toothpastes. What about mouthwash, dental floss and chewing gum that purports to polish? They won’t really whiten on their own, but work well as part of a tooth-polishing tag team. Listerine’s Whitening Vibrant White Pre-Brush Rinse acts as a booster for more intensive stain removing procedures. (If you’re getting older and concerned about weakening enamel, try their tooth-strengthening variation—Listerine Whitening Plus Restoring Fluoride Rinse.) We all know the “must floss” mantra—so how about doing your dental duty and getting a little blast of extra cleaning and freshening at the same time? SuperSmile infuses their floss with Calprox to clean and baking soda to promote healthier gums. And speaking of gum, SuperSmile’s whitening chewing gum is sweetened with Xylitol, a cavity inhibitor, and the very act of chewing it helps discourage new stains from forming.

From Science of Dentistry