The Best At-Home Teeth Whitening Products (And What The Experts Think) (2024)

FAQs

What do dentists recommend for teeth whitening at-home? ›

ADA-approved at-home teeth whitening products

Crest 3D Whitestrips are currently the only ADA-approved whitening strips — they also won best teeth whitening strips during Select's 2023 Wellness Awards. The Classic Vivid strips come in a pack of 20, which is enough for 10 treatments, the brand says.

The ADA has only given its seal of acceptance to toothpastes and whitening strips, but Dr. Chris Salierno, chief dental officer at Tend, told me in an email that hydrogen peroxide or ​carbamide peroxide are “most effective in a gel form that is held against your teeth (think whitening strips, gel in trays, etc.).”

Professional whitening is done in a dental office. In-office whiteners are much stronger than the other two alternatives because they have more peroxide in the solution. They can change the color of your teeth faster than at-home methods.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Studies have shown that toothpaste that contains 1% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda which can whiten teeth significantly. Further studies also show that brushing with toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide and baking soda twice in a day can whiten your teeth by 62% in just six weeks.

The quickest, most dramatic way to whiten is to get an in-office bleaching at a dentist's office. Using professional-strength hydrogen peroxide and special lights or lasers, your dentist can remove even deep stains in about an hour.

Crest Whitestrips is the #1 dentist-recommended teeth whitening brand in the U.S. And every Crest Whitestrips teeth whitening system is guaranteed to provide you with beautiful, visibly whiter teeth. If you are not satisfied with your results, Crest Whitestrips will refund your purchase.

Tired of using teeth whitening strips, or going to the dentist for whitening treatments? Then dental veneers are an option that you should consider. Dental veneers are a great way to permanently whiten your teeth, so no more white strips and no need for whitening treatments.

Short answer – yes, they do. But not all home teeth whitening kits are the same – some kits work better than others, while some kits may not be as effective as you want. If you're curious about making your teeth look whiter with home teeth whitening kits, here's what you need to know. How do they work?

Teeth whitening products — whether an over-the-counter option you use at home or a professional treatment — can be effective and safe, if used correctly. “If you want a brighter smile, teeth whitening products can be good tools,” says Dr. Clemons. “But they aren't a substitute for good dental hygiene.”

Who should not do teeth whitening? ›

Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product. Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots. Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth-whitening procedure.

Can my teeth become white again after turning yellow? Yes, there are a number of ways that you can help whiten teeth again after they have yellowed, from changing toothpaste and mouthwash to dental hygiene appointments.

Whitening yellowing teeth can be achieved through the use of bleaching trays or whitening toothpaste. Most whitening toothpaste brands have low-concentration bleach in them. This approach can work but takes an extended period of time to show a change in the color of your teeth.

Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.

Porcelain Veneers

These are very popular amongst celebrities because of their incredible results. Veneers are thin, strong shells that are custom-made from dental porcelain to cover the front surface of your teeth. They can fix small cracks, chips, gaps, and discoloration all at once.

Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to your gums, your tongue, and your tooth enamel, leading to painful decay that could be costly to repair.

Home remedies, including apple cider vinegar, baking soda and lime juice, banana peel, orange oil, turmeric, Epsom salt, etc., are effective in maintaining dental hygiene. Giving a try at them is certainly one of the best ways to whiten teeth overnight without burning a hole in your pocket.

A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide has been proven to work in some cases for instant results in a pinch. Combine two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda. Mix it until it becomes a paste and use it to brush your teeth.

Red wine. Drinking red wine is one of the most common causes of tooth staining.

But do these kits really work? The quick answer is yes. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products use the same chemicals as professional teeth whitening products at the dentist. The difference is the store-bought kits have these chemicals in much lower concentrations, so they are less powerful.

What whitens teeth naturally and fast? ›

Interesting: never buy white strips again!: dip q-tip in hydrogen peroxide (the key ingredient in whitestrips) and apply to surface of teeth for 30 sec before brushing teeth) once a day for a few days. Teeth will look whiter in 2 days.

Even if you are in your 70s or 80s, you can still have your teeth whitened. Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of your smile, and it can be done at any age.

Hydrogen peroxide removes stains from your teeth, making them feel smooth and clean. However, this can be dangerous if you use too much of the product or apply it too often. If you do this more than once a day or week, then there is a chance that your enamel can become eroded.

If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.

LED lights whiten your teeth through their photochemical impact on the tooth surface. On application, the light energy activates the hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening serum and speeds up the bleaching process. Irrespective of the cause of yellow teeth, it is an effective treatment for enhancing any smile.

Professional solutions used by your dentist are typically stronger than those in over-the-counter kits, so your teeth may whiten more quickly. They can also make sure that sensitive gums don't get more irritated. Whiteners work only on the tough outer surface of your teeth, enamel.

Many general dentists recommend that patients undergo teeth whitening treatment prior to their dental restorations.

Baking soda is good for teeth whitening because it is a very mild abrasive, which helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains – such as those from coffee, tea, and red wine – on teeth.

If you want to know the truth, yes, Crest Whitestrips do work. They can make your teeth look whiter because of a gel that is spread along the strip and placed onto the surface of your teeth. This substance contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and works to penetrate the tooth enamel to remove stains.

How can I whiten my teeth at home without damaging them? ›

Methods for At-Home Teeth Whitening

Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the more affordable ways to whiten your teeth as many people have it in their homes. Also, hydrogen peroxide is used in plenty of teeth whitening products.

Professional solutions used by your dentist are typically stronger than those in over-the-counter kits, so your teeth may whiten more quickly. They can also make sure that sensitive gums don't get more irritated. Whiteners work only on the tough outer surface of your teeth, enamel.

At only 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water, it's so unstable that it can just turn into water over time. However, using low-dose peroxide or high concentrations for a long time can inflame your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth.

Hydrogen peroxide removes stains from your teeth, making them feel smooth and clean. However, this can be dangerous if you use too much of the product or apply it too often. If you do this more than once a day or week, then there is a chance that your enamel can become eroded.

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.

Interesting: never buy white strips again!: dip q-tip in hydrogen peroxide (the key ingredient in whitestrips) and apply to surface of teeth for 30 sec before brushing teeth) once a day for a few days. Teeth will look whiter in 2 days.

The Negative Effects of Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Rinse

Although hydrogen peroxide can be beneficial for certain situations, you should only use it a few times a month. Rinsing with undiluted hydrogen peroxide can burn your organs and cause internal bleeding.

How long does it take to whiten teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda? ›

Pinterest Tip: To whiten teeth, use a mouth guard with 2 parts baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks.

Although home teeth whitening kits can be effective in whitening teeth, they can only really whiten teeth by a few shades. If you want a drastic change in teeth whiteness (i.e. you have severe teeth staining), home teeth whitening kits may not be enough. You may need multiple tries.

Whitening trays are less well-known compared to strips, but they are a much more effective option. Using custom-molded trays and a peroxide-based whitening gel, they allow for more even, extensive coverage of the teeth. This translates into shorter whitening times and much brighter smiles.