7 Teeth Whitening Products That Really Work ...

1. What to Know Before You Whiten

Now, before you hop in your car and rush to the store to buy the newer trending whitening kit or toothpaste, it is important to know what’s actually going on behind many of those “brighter smile” promises.

When it comes down to it, a large majority of whitening toothpastes use a different combo of the same ingredients, such as bleaching agents and abrasives, to scrub away surface stains. 

According to Dr. Thomas Dobie, an orthodontist in Branford, Connecticut, and founder of Dobie Revolution Orthodontics, these products usually include ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, silica, or pyrophosphates.

“The aim of these agents is to remove extrinsic stains from the enamel,” he explains, “thus lightening the tooth color.”

Sounds simple, right? While that would be nice, every trend doesn’t always deliver exactly as promised.

Take charcoal toothpaste, for example. It has become quite popular on social media platforms, but Dr. Dobie points to a 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical Oral Investigations that compared it to regular fluoride toothpaste over 12 weeks, eventually finding no real difference in tooth shade between the two.

“Consumers should be cautious before jumping on the latest trend in hopes of instant gratification,” he says.

In other words, not all whitening products are created equal, so it's always best to stick with options that have real science behind them and to follow the recommendation of your dentist or orthodontist.

Now, let's get into some of the products you might be looking at when starting your tooth whitening journey.

2. Crest 3D White Luxe Professional Effects Whitestrips

Crest Whitestrips are among some of the best tried-and-true teeth whitening products that’ve been around for years, which is a true testament to their credibility. These thin, clear strips are applied on the front top and bottom teeth and should be left on for 30 minutes. If this seems like a long time, place them on right before getting in the shower and leave them during your morning routine. The time will be up before you know it! After using each set of strips, the results are said to last up to a year, which sounds pretty impressive!

3. Rembrandt Deeply White 2 Hr Whitening Kit

These whitening trays by Rembrandt not only help you get a brighter, whiter smile in two weeks, they also taste like mint, so no more film-y aftertaste! This kit comes with strips, but the trick is all in the trays. The product needs to be left on for two hours, which is definitely a much longer time than Crest, but the results are said to be phenomenal, and at an affordable price to boot!

4. Rembrandt Deeply White+Peroxide Whitening Mouthwash

Rembrandt also makes this awesome tooth whitening mouthwash that removes harsh stains WHILE strengthening your enamel! This component is a complete must, especially since some tooth whiteners are a bit abrasive and can break down tooth enamel. Combat bad breath, fight cavities, and whiten your teeth, all in a few swishes!

5. Arm and Hammer Extreme Whitening Toothpaste

I’ve tried this product myself and was extremely happy with the results. What could be easier than having your toothpaste double as a whitening treatment to skip those extra steps? Arm and Hammer has always been a classic teeth whitener, but this formula is truly top-notch.

6. Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste

Another great product if you have sensitive teeth is Sensodyne’s Extra White toothpaste. Sensodyne helps strengthen your enamel and also helps with temperature sensitivity. After using Sensodyne only a few times, you can already begin to feel your teeth harden and tolerate cold and heat much better. What’s more, the whitening component of this toothpaste is quality, and is wonderful for those of you concerned about harsh whiteners for sensitive teeth.

7. Colgate Optic White Toothpaste

Optic White is one of the toughest stain-removers on the market and helps your teeth become up to three shades whiter in one week. Not to mention this toothpaste has the same ingredient as whitening strips, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.

8. Aquafresh White Trays

These trays are also mint-flavored like the Rembrandt trays, but claim to help whiten in as little as 3 days. These trays can be worn once a day for 45 minutes, and voila! Brighter smile, here you come!

When searching for teeth-whitening toothpastes, always remember to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance to ensure safety and quality. It’s extremely important to keep your teeth healthy and strong, so choosing whitening products that suit your specific needs is crucial to maintaining proper dental health. Flashing a beautiful, white smile is a total confidence-booster and brightens up your whole face. Go ahead and light up the entire room with these awesome products and let me know what you think! Do you have any favorite whitening products?

Sources: mouthhealthy.org