Whitening rinses. Rinse your teeth for 60 seconds twice a day with these products, which contain hydrogen peroxide, to make your teeth look slightly whiter. We used the products for the first time in our Verywell Testing Laband continued to use them at home according to manufacturer instructions. In the Lab and at home, we took note of how easy it was to set up and apply the product or treatment, as well as how our teeth felt before and after the treatment (e.g., if there was any sensitivity or discomfort from the appliance or device itself). Number of Daily Applications: Be sure to take note of how many times a day you should wear the strips. This will vary by product and should be clearly stated in the teeth whitening instructions—some require one application, while others are meant to be worn twice a day. Any dentist can whiten teeth as long as they're registered with the General Dental Council. Registered dental therapists and dental hygienists can also carry out teeth whitening on the prescription of a dentist. Essentially, you position the upper and lower trays on your teeth, bite down for a few seconds, and then remove the colored outer tray, leaving behind a more snug-fitting inner tray containing the whitening gel. This allows you to get a snug and comfortable fit every time. However, this option isn’t entirely painless. In testing, we found that the upper tray caused some serious gum discomfort (even after we brushed our teeth to remove the gel). We'd describe it as being similar to the feeling of applying an acid facial peel or retinoid for the first time—painful but bearable.

Dairy products. Foods like milk and unsweetened yogurt contain calcium and phosphates that help protect and rebuild tooth enamel. Cheese boosts the production of saliva, which products your teeth against gum disease and cavities. For safety reasons, in the UK, at-home teeth whitening kits may contain hydrogen peroxide at concentrations at up to 0.1%, whereas your dentist, using a custom-fitted mould, is able to safely use a concentration of up to 6% without harming teeth or gums. This means the professional treatment is usually able to achieve more noticeable lightening results. Dentist-only treatments such as laser whitening (in which the bleach solution is activated by a laser shone onto teeth) are also much faster, taking only 1-2 hours. The bottom line is that this product can work, but only under certain circumstances. We think it’s best used for someone who wants to brighten their teeth for an event and doesn’t mind enduring some temporary abrasiveness or for someone who has pretty white teeth and wants to occasionally touch up their shade. Your dental health. You'll need treatment for issues like gum disease or cavities before you whiten your teeth. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

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Start by determining your whitening goals. How do your teeth look now? What do you want them to look like after whitening? These are important considerations when seeking the best teeth whitening results. We need more research on this, but some early studies indicate there could be additional risks, such as: We did find the whitening process to be slightly less comfortable; the solution was pretty tasteless, and our gums experienced some discomfort. Swallowing was also awkward because the solution can produce excess saliva, but you aren’t supposed to swallow the solution. However, the application time here is only 10 minutes, so we thought this was a totally manageable inconvenience for the amount of time needed to whiten. Floss: A complete oral care routine of twice-daily toothbrushing and daily flossing will help maintain white teeth, no matter what teeth-whitening product you choose. Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP): This active whitening ingredient is scientifically proven to safely remove stains and discoloration from the tooth surface without causing sensitivity or enamel damage.

In testing, this gel was easy to put on and caused no discomfort during or after application (including for those of us with sensitive teeth). The mouthpiece fit well and stayed in place, thanks to the fact that it’s soft and flexible, not rigid. We also loved that the tray could be plugged into our smartphones, so we could get up and move around the house while we waited out the whitening time. While the results weren’t as dramatic as other options we tested, given how fast, comfortable, and affordable these are, we still highly recommend them. While they’re not ideal for anyone with severe staining or discoloration, they’re fantastic for people looking to lift minor stains and brighten their smile just a bit. Keep It at Home: You don’t have to go to the dentist for a complicated tooth-whitening process anymore. There are dozens of effective whitening products available at the local drugstore that can provide professional-level results. You can easily avoid a complex tooth whitening process by selecting a program such as Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects, which can dramatically whiten your teeth and provide noticeable results that last for an entire year. Whether you use an at-home tooth-whitening system or have your teeth bleached by a dentist, you can help maintain the results by regularly brushing and flossing and keeping up with dental appointments.Those with sensitive teeth know just how painful trying to whiten them can be—for some, the burning and sensitivity are so strong that they’re unable to finish the whitening process. However, these strips claim to cause “zero sensitivity,” and according to one of our testers with extremely sensitive teeth, the claim is accurate—these were the first whitening strips ever that she could use for the allotted time frame. She was able to use them for the directed 30 minutes a day for seven consecutive days. Initially, we couldn’t leave the tray in for the recommended 15 minutes because it was so uncomfortable. But over time, we did get used to it. The best part was that our teeth whitened. Even though we only left it in for about eight minutes, our teeth went up a full shade. It hurt, but the pain was worth it in our eyes. We also started with the highest concentration possible, which we wouldn’t recommend if you have sensitive teeth or have never whitened your teeth before (in that case, you may want to start with the lowest concentration and work your way up from there). During our test, we didn't love that they feel a bit slimy as they dissolve, but we were incredibly impressed by the results—we noticed a brightening effect after each session and appreciated the convenience factor they provided. The first step toward whiter teeth is to practice good oral hygiene at home. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste or toothpaste with baking soda twice a day, floss at least once a day, and drink fluoridated water.

Teeth whitening done by your dentist can get teeth brighter faster. The bleaching solution is usually much stronger than that in at-home kits. Also, your dentist can use heat, light, or a combination of the two to speed and intensify the whitening process. 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.

The best teeth whitening strips you can buy in 2023

Teeth whitening carried out in beauty salons by untrained staff or staff without dental qualifications puts your oral health at risk and is also illegal. Will I pay for teeth whitening privately? However, if you see PAP (or phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid) on the ingredient label, steer clear. The dentists we spoke to said this ingredient is not recommended for whitening at all due to reports of lingering sensitivity. Hydrogen peroxide, when used correctly as a whitening agent, shouldn't cause lingering sensitivity. No matter what kind of whitening program you use, following teeth whitening instructions will help you get the best smile and ensure you're properly caring for your teeth.

I used to buy Crest 3D for my son but decided to try this one because Crest is getting more and more expensive. I was a little skeptical in the beginning but it actually worked, delivering the same result as the Crest 3D with 1/3 of the price and 1/2 treatment term! We are very satisfied with product and will continue to use it.” — Anne PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone): This protective ingredient helps to prevent the buildup of stains on the tooth surface, ensuring long-lasting whitening results.

The best teeth whitening kits for 2023 are:

If you are not happy with the results, speak to the dental professional who carried out your treatment to ask for advice. 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. Today’s busy lifestyle doesn’t leave much time for a complicated tooth whitening process. Fortunately, by keeping it simple, you can still achieve powerful whitening results without going through a painful or cumbersome teeth whitening process. Tips for Easy Ways to Whiten Teeth You have tooth discoloration when your teeth are stained or darkened. It might affect the whole tooth or look like lines or spots on the tooth's surface. There are two basic types of tooth discoloration: