https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/whitening-toothpaste/faq-20058411 While it is great to have so many options, the options can be overwhelming if you’re new to it all. With the recent embargo on beauticians and other untrained persons performing whitening treatments illegally, the public is becoming more concerned about finding a safe (and legal) way to get a whiter smile. We have taken a look into the most popular whitening kits: Now the important bit: the instructions say 5-10 minutes twice a day. After the second day I kept the trays in for 20 minutes each time and a total of 40 minutes each day. I noticed significant increases in shade after I started doing this. If irritation occurs remove and rinse! Pens. Whitening pens allow for easier and more precise whitening on-the-spot, which Dr. Kalasho says are helpful for minor staining—but most of it washes away with your saliva, so more intense stains probably won’t show ultra noticeable results. Colgate Optic White Pro Series Teeth Whitening Pen and LED Tray: If you’re short on time, this kit only requires 10 minutes per day, but it’s not the most comfortable after application (and it’s more expensive than similar kits).

GLO Brilliant® White Smile At Home Teeth Whitening Device: Our teeth were much brighter after using this kit in testing, but the 24 minutes we had to spend walking around with an awkward device in our mouth make this a fairly inconvenient option, especially compared to less bulky competitor trays. We did notice some long-term discomfort over time, though, possibly because we felt like it was pretty abrasive. That created something of a catch-22 for us in testing—when we used the toothpaste, it whitened our teeth a couple of shades, but when we stopped using the toothpaste (because of sensitivity), we noticed that our teeth began yellowing and staining again almost immediately. The product felt like we needed to use it every single day to maintain an improved and brighter teeth shade. However, it noticeably caused teeth sensitivity that discouraged us from using it every day. Following the treatment: Then brush your teeth for at least two minutes with the whitening toothpaste supplied in the kit. Repeat the procedure in the morning and evening for a week. Avoid progress using the attached color chart. Pre-made tray: This is the poor man’s version of the custom lightening tray – in that the process is the same, but the tray isn’t fitted to the exact shape of your mouth. Provided you can cover the entire surface area of your teeth with your tray, it’s a good compromise. If your teeth are a little crooked, though, you may not get an even result.Tooth whitening can be speeded up by applying a blue light. In the past, Ultraviolet (UV) lights were used. However, due to the growing concerns over the risks of UV light, blue LED lights are used as a safer alternative. Overall, the whitening results were significant enough to make us recommend this product as a good choice, especially since it didn’t cause any pain or discomfort and is priced within the average range for a whitening kit. Given how much we know professional whitening costs, and remembering the pain and sensitivity we've had with other whitening products in the past, we absolutely think this is worth the price and the inconvenience for a couple of weeks. Easy to use, safe and convenient, the Rapid White Blue Light is designed to be used in your own home with the minimum of fuss. Teeth can discolour due to age (the enamel thins with age), trauma, smoking and because of what you eat and drink. The drinks that are notorious to cause discolouration are tea, coffee and red wine.

Teeth can become sensitive during the teeth whitening process and for a short time after as the hydrogen peroxide gel can cause irritation to the dentine. This side effect is short term and does ago away after completing the process. Soft Tissue IrritationIf you have had enough of trying to whiten your teeth with gel and mouth trays this Blue Light Tooth Whitening System could be what you have been looking for. Finally, we were surprised how much brighter our teeth became in testing this product—we felt the kit more than earns its place on our list and is well worth its cost. We even think it may have been more effective than previous whitening treatments we've done in the past at the dentist's office.

Since all types of whitening products are applied differently and have varying concentrations of ingredients, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for the application included with the specific product. Please note that professional teeth whitening nor teeth whitening kits work on false teeth such as veneers, bridges and crowns. They also are not recommended for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18 years old. How do you know which is the best whitening method/teeth whitening kit for you? Whitening toothpastes: These work harder than regular toothpastes to remove stains and plaque. To achieve this, they may contain a mild abrasive or bleaching agent, while others contain activated carbon. You can use them in conjunction with other home kits. The only downside was that the strips only cover the front six to eight of your teeth, so if you were hoping for sparkling molars, this won’t get you there. Still, you get 21 treatments, which we thought was a great value considering you’ll be seeing results in just three days. We also appreciated that this is an alternative to more chemical-based kits, which makes it a little friendlier for people with sensitive teeth. When used correctly, whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains from teeth. Some also lessen intrinsic stains from within teeth. You can expect an effective whitening toothpaste to lighten teeth by two or three shades. Does whitening toothpaste damage enamel?

The best teeth whitening kits and toothpaste to buy in 2023

For true whitening success, you need to know what type of whitening kit to use and whether or not whitening products are safe for you. Experts recommend avoiding whitening products altogether if you have gum or mouth disease, untreated tooth decay, or significantly worn enamel. If a specialist has given you the green light to begin using at-home whitening products, you can select the right product based on ingredients and price. In addition to having effective ingredients like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the best product for you will fit into your routine and budget.

You’ll have no problem getting to grips with this easy-to-follow and exceptionally well-presented kit, provided you follow the straightforward instructions. The non-peroxide gel has been clinically tested and it doesn’t feel or smell as though you might be doing your mouth harm, which can be the case with some kits at this price range. That makes it a good option for those with sensitive teeth (although don’t use it if you haven’t gone to the dentist in a long time). In fact, it has a surprisingly pleasant aroma and you can see it taking effect after just one week, provided you use it daily. But you’ll need to avoid the likes of coffee, tea, curry and smoking during that time. You shouldn’t head into a whitening toothpaste expecting the same results as whitening strips or a kit with gels and trays. But a whitening toothpaste like this one from Opalescence can help whiten teeth or help maintain a whiter smile over time. We rated it high for convenience and comfort, mostly because it functioned like normal toothpaste. We liked that there was no learning curve to the application process; it was easy to work into our daily routine, and it didn’t cause any initial discomfort. It is best not to eat or drink for 30 minutes after you have removed the trays. In general, you should avoid foods that are likely to cause re-staining (such as for instance, tea, coffee, red wine) or irritate sensitive teeth. After a short time, you can resume a normal healthy diet, normally between 24-72 hours. Teeth Whitening Side-effects, The Truth Throughout the testing, we considered whether we were able to apply the product and go about our day as usual, how much whiter our teeth were from start to finish, whether we experienced any sensitivity, and if we thought the kit was an overall good value based on its retail price and the results it delivered.Generally, though, Dr. Izhaky says strips are safe to use twice a day for up to two weeks for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Depending on the ingredient percentage, she adds, gels can be used for one to two hours per day for two weeks as well.