As seen on Allure, Dr. Hadaegh recommends one of his favorite drugstore teeth-whitening kits.
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In an ideal world, brushing your teeth routinely would be enough to keep your set of pearly whites, well, pearly and white between routine dentist appointments. But alas, for many of us (particularly those of us with a serious coffee habit), that’s just not the case. We feel moved to hit up the local drugstore for whitening products to freshen up our smiles — perhaps without giving much thought to what those products actually are and how they work.
“Tooth enamel [is] a crystal,” Matthew Messina, DDS, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA), says. “If you were to look at tooth enamel under a really powerful microscope, [the structure] kind of looks like chicken wire” (or wire mesh). He explains that removing stains within the matrix of the tooth enamel is like getting out dirt stuck in chicken wire: “So what happens in whitening is we want to…open the matrix and bubble out that color, the stain, and then close it back up.”
That’s where peroxide comes in. Dr. Messina says peroxide causes that bubbling to occur, so the active ingredient in whitening kits you buy will be hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (a diluted version of hydrogen peroxide). “Carbamide peroxide is used because it’s a comparatively stable compound,” Neil Hadaegh, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist in Beverly Hills, California says. “This helps the
manufacturer to insure product quality and consistency at the consumer’s end.” Dr. Messina notes that aside from the peroxide, over-the-counter whitening products usually contain some additional ingredient to improve the taste.
Peroxide is the main active ingredient in the products dentists use to do professional whitening in their offices, too. The only difference is the concentration. “If we’re doing something where we can mask off the gum tissue…where the gum tissues are protected, we can use a stronger whitening agent…because it’s only touching the teeth,” Dr. Messina says. “Something you’re using over-the-counter has the potential to touch the gum tissues or be swallowed. So, we have to use a much lower strength of the active ingredient because…it might burn [the patient’s] gum tissues.” Professionals, on the other hand, “can take all the necessary precautions to make sure the gum tissue is safe and protected and the whitening agent is only getting on the tooth enamel that we want whiter.”
Ultimately, Dr. Messina says that all over-the-counter, peroxide-based whiteners will deliver comparable results as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. One ingredient to steer clear of? Hydrated silica. Dr. Hadaegh says that the substance is “made from a crystallized compound found in quartz and sand [and] can damage tooth enamel and gum tissue.” Aside from that, Giri Palani, DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills and Palos Verdes, California says the most important thing is to look for when you’re shopping is ease of use. “Also, [you] want to make sure that the product you buy has a good shelf life and you store the product properly ([in] the refrigerator will last longer),” he says.
Once you have a kit, Dr. Messina says you can use it for seven to 10 days to start, and then once every other week or so for maintenance. Before you do so, though, consider taking a trip to the dentist for your standard teeth cleaning and to consult on your at-home whitening plans. “Tooth whitening is something that should only be done in a healthy mouth situation,” he says. “If somebody has cavities or periodontal disease, or some other reason why their teeth aren’t white, whitening is not the right choice for them. That’s why it’s always good to have a thorough examination done by your dentist before starting on a whitening program.” Not to mention, if you do the whitening right after having your teeth cleaned at the dentist, Dr. Messina says, you’ll be whitening your tooth enamel itself rather than the tartar or build-up on top of it. Regardless, he says, involving your dentist in the discussion will help you ensure you’re taking the right path.
Once you have that conversation, consider one of these over-the-counter kits.
1. Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Kit, $44.99 (target.com)
There’s no doubt that Crest Whitestrips are one of the most recognizable over-the-counter teeth whitening systems available. It seems almost as if they’ve been around forever — and professionals still love ‘em. “Over the counter, I recommend Crest 3D White Whitestrips,” Dr. Hadaegh says. “A lot of my patients who naturally have whiter teeth or slightly discolored teeth are happy with the results.”
Dr. Palani is also a big advocate of whitening strips. “I have had great results with the strips,” he says. “When people use strips properly, they can get very close to professional whitening.”
2. Plus White 5 Minute Dental Whitening Kit, $11.49 (riteaid.com)
When it comes to tray options, Lana Rozenberg, DDS, a New-York-City-based cosmetic dentist, likes Plus White’s 5 Minute system. They cause “very little [tooth] sensitivity, [and they’re] less expensive than the strips but a bit easier, due to the trays,” she says.
3. Dr. Collins All White 22% Bleaching System, $20.49 (target.com)
“The strips or the trays are more effective than the pens because of the prolonged contact of the gel to the tooth,” Dr. Rozenberg says. But, Dr. Rozenberg notes, over-the-counter trays are one-size-fits-all, and the looser ones could allow more gel to seep out. A custom-fit, take-home tray from your dentist is the most ideal scenario, but you can get these “boil-n-bite” trays, which you can (at least somewhat) mold to your teeth, from drugstores. Just be sure to follow all instructions, and let the tray cool enough that you don’t burn yourself when putting it in your mouth!
4. Walgreens Extreme Whitening Wraps, $14.99 (walgreens.com)
Dr. Messina agrees that prolonged contact of whitener with teeth is key. “What we have to do is keep the whitening agent on the teeth,” he says. “So strips or trays have a better ability to keep the whitening agent against the teeth [than other products like pens] because [the whitening agent is] only effective as long as it stays there and saliva doesn’t wash [it] off.” If you’re having trouble finding trays that fit your mouth well, these more fitted wraps from Walgreens could do the trick.
5. Hager Pharma Mirawhite Oxygen Tooth Whitening Pen, $31.99 (cvs.com)
That’s not to say you can’t use whitening pens; they just may be more difficult to use effectively. “That’s the challenge with something like a pen,” Dr. Messina says. “Can you keep the teeth isolated? Can you keep your mouth open long enough and your lips away from the teeth long enough for it to work? And if you can do that, they’re very effective.”
6. CVS Platinum Whitening Kit,
Dr. Rozenberg says that over-the-counter whitening kits should contain from 10 to 35 percent carbamide peroxide (or three to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide) and are most effective at higher concentrations. (Dr. Messina notes that in general, though, manufacturers adjust the concentration based on how the product will be used and how long it will be held against the teeth.) At 25 percent carbamide peroxide, this CVS brand whitening kit hits near the top of the allowable range. Just be sure you use it carefully. “The product with higher concentrations of peroxide [means] higher chances of causing tooth sensitivity if worn for an extended period of time, and may cause gum irritations as well,” Dr. Rozenberg advises. “Do not wear longer than written in the instructions.” There you have it — happy whitening!
Photo: Marcus McDonald
As the Strategist’s dental-hygiene expert, I’m constantly trying the latest oral-health products, from toothpaste to tongue scrapers. Teeth-whitening treatments are relatively new to my own routine, and I’ve noticed that with consistent use, they help me keep that just-left-the-dentist-clean look (especially a month or two after a cleaning). If you’re considering dipping into at-home teeth whiteners, the first thing to do is figure out what kinds of stains you’re dealing with. In some cases, deep stains can’t be removed through whitening. But at-home teeth whiteners can make a real difference against common culprits like staining caused by coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce, or anything else that can stain a white T-shirt. And generally, if you’re getting in-office cleanings twice a year and the occasional whitening treatment, at-home whiteners can be very helpful for maintaining your pearly whites.
Next, you’ll want to consider what method you’ll be most consistent with, from simply switching to a whitening toothpaste to using more time-consuming gel trays and strips. To find the best teeth whiteners out there, I spoke to nine dentists about the proper active ingredients and what to avoid (more on that below) and asked which teeth whiteners they would recommend to their patients. Then, I started to try some of the teeth whiteners myself. As of right now, I’ve mainly tested for ease of use, but I’ll be sure to update this article once I’ve had more time to use each product. Read on for what dentists told me are the most effective ingredients to look for, or use the table of contents to skip right ahead to the type of teeth whitener you’re interested in. And, if you’re looking for more oral-health recommendations, we’ve got you covered on the best electric toothbrushes and water flossers too.
What
we’re
looking
for
Active ingredient
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the nine dentists we spoke to, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is what you should look for in whitening products. “If it doesn’t have that ingredient, it’s not going to be whitening your teeth,” says Dr. Ben Winters, a.k.a “the Bentist.” The ADA website says, “The bleaching action in chemically induced whitening is due primarily to the effects of carbamide peroxide, which releases about one-third of its content as hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent.”
Obviously there are other whitening agents and alternative ingredients out there, but experts say it’s best to avoid trendy, gimmicky products like whitening lights or charcoal, which might actually end up causing harm. “Charcoal is like brushing with sandpaper — it will take off the stain, but in the long term, your teeth get yellower over time because you’re removing an enamel layer,” Winters says. Hydrogen and carbamide peroxides are the gold standard of at-home teeth whitening, which is why we’ve only recommended chemical whiteners that use those ingredients below.
Method
While looking for peroxide is a good start, it can come in many different forms. You’ve got whitening gels, strips, toothpastes, and more to choose from. 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.).” Each method will have a different percentage of the active ingredient in it. There’s typically a higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide in a whitening gel or strip than there will be in toothpaste, but the best option for you will be something that fits with your lifestyle.
Ease of use
Which brings me to ease of use. You won’t see results with any of the below products unless you use them with some consistency and as instructed. If you don’t think you’ll take the time to add an extra step into your oral-hygiene routine — like wearing whitening strips for about 30 minutes daily for two weeks straight — maybe the better option for you is to just replace something already in your routine, like your toothpaste, with a whitening version. Whitening products in general can be messy, which can also be a deterrent. Having to fill trays with gel or dealing with strips that slip off can be frustrating, so below we’ve only included extra-grippy strips and foolproof methods of at-home whitening.
Opalescence Go 15 Percent Kit
$75
now 11% off
$75
Active ingredient: 15 percent hydrogen peroxide | Method: Gel trays | Ease of use: Easy
Gels are one of the most effective forms of at-home whitening. It’s a similar experience to an in-office or prescription-strength whitening session, which typically involves a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide and a custom-fit bleaching tray. In those cases, you’re usually given a syringe of whitening gel that you can pump into the tray, but this Opalescence Go kit has trays that are pre-loaded with gel to streamline the process even more. When I tested the trays for myself, the process was mess-free and fast. The trays aren’t custom fit, but they’re labeled U for upper and L for lower. I placed them in my mouth, bit down for a couple of seconds, and took off the green outer trays. The application itself took about a minute, if that, and I could carry on doing stuff around my apartment while I waited for the recommended 15 minutes to pass. Afterward, I simply brushed my teeth to remove any leftover gel.
The trays can be used for up to an hour and come with varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide — 10 percent, 15 percent, 20 percent, and 35 percent — which you can purchase based on your desired results and tooth sensitivity. As for how effective they are, cosmetic dentist Dr. Edward A. Alvarez and Winters both recommend this kit to their patients as a more affordable alternative to custom bleaching trays. One thing to note: Unlike custom-made bleaching trays that you can use indefinitely, Opalescence Go trays are disposable, so you’ll have to buy a new kit once you run out of trays. If you already wear a retainer, though, Winter suggests using it to create a DIY whitening tray every now and then by using just the Opalescence syringe-gel refills: “Put a little stream of whitening gel into the retainer and wear it at night.”
$75
at Amazon$75
at Amazon
Bite Whitening Gel
$24
Active ingredient: 36 percent carbamide peroxide | Method: Gel | Ease of use: Messy
Bite’s whitening gel cuts out the need for the tray, as you can brush the gel directly on to your teeth. Compared to the Opalescence Go Kit, this one is a little messier and labor-intensive to use. I followed the instructions by drying my teeth with a washcloth, dipping the tiny brush into the gel, and painting each tooth. (A small amount of the gel dripped onto my bathroom counter in the process, but it wasn’t a significant amount.) Once the gel was applied, I set a timer on my phone, held a smile for two minutes while the gel bubbled up on my teeth, and spit out the excess formula. The entire process took about five minutes, but I was hovering over my sink the entire time. Per the instructions, I also didn’t eat or drink anything for half an hour after the application. This option, while somewhat messy, is plastic-free and offers a similar-strength formula to the Opalescence Go kit. It contains 36 percent carbamide peroxide, which is the equivalent of approximately 12.6 percent hydrogen peroxide. It has aloe vera in it, too, which Dr. Sharon Huang, the founder of Les Belles NYC, says is soothing to teeth.
$24
at Bite
Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
$20
$20
Active ingredient: 35 percent carbamide peroxide | Method: Gel pen | Ease of use: Easy
If you want a paint-it-on option that’s a bit easier to manage than Bite’s kit, a whitening pen might be your best bet. Auraglow’s whitening gel dispenses with the click of a button on the bottom of the pen, so you don’t have to dip a brush repeatedly. The rest of the process is similar to Bite’s application: You apply a thin layer of gel to your teeth and hold a wide smile for one minute. The time difference compared to Bite’s two-minute recommendation was much less strenuous for me. There also weren’t any instructions to refrain from food and drink for 30 minutes afterward. It contains 35 percent carbamide peroxide — just one percent less than Bite’s formula — which is enough to be effective in between in-office whitening treatments, says Dr. Richard Lipari of NY Great Smiles. Note, though, that this method isn’t plastic-free and the formula doesn’t contain aloe vera like Bite’s does.
$20
at Amazon$20
at Walmart
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Whitening Strips
Are you interested in learning more about pap+ teeth whitening strips for us? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
$41
now 11% off
$41
Active ingredient: Hydrogen Peroxide | Method: Strips | Ease of use: Easy
Crest’s 3D Whitening Strips are probably the most recognizable teeth whitening method on this list, and with good reason. The brand stands out as the No. 1 recommendation in this category, with dentists telling me their patients get good results within a week or two of using the strips every day. Plus, unlike the other methods mentioned so far, they have the ADA seal of acceptance, meaning they’ve been evaluated for their safety and efficacy. Crest uses hydrogen peroxide as the whitening agent in its strips, but according to a public-relations representative for the brand, it does not disclose ingredient percentages, which is proprietary information. However, a 2004 study did indicate that the Crest Professional Whitestrips have a 6.5 percent level of hydrogen peroxide.
I found the strips slightly easier to use than the trays and the brush-on options above, since I simply had to peel them off of the plastic backing, press them onto my teeth, and wait the recommended 30 minutes. They do take longer than the other methods, but I was able to carry on with my workday without any issues. And while whitening strips sometimes get a bad rap for not being super-adhesive, I found that these gripped my teeth and didn’t slide around. I also appreciated that they were thin enough for me to talk while wearing them, unlike Opalescence’s somewhat bulky trays.
$41
at Amazon$41
at Amazon
Burst Coconut Whitening Strips
$20
Photo: Retailer
Active ingredient: 6 percent hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil | Method: Strips | Ease of use: Easy
Burst’s whitening strips have about the same amount of hydrogen peroxide as Crest’s are estimated to have (6 percent) and are slightly less expensive. The strips also contain coconut oil, which brightens teeth naturally and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, according to Huang, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Huang notes she hasn’t seen sensitivity with this product in her patients. I haven’t yet had a chance to try these for myself, but they’re meant to be worn for 15 minutes a day (half the time as Crest’s strips) for two weeks to see results.
$20
at Burst
Lumineux Teeth-Whitening Strips
$23
$23
Active ingredient: Coconut oil | Method: Strips | Ease of use: Easy
If you want a completely chemical-free whitening experience, Lumineux’s whitening strips use coconut oil as its active ingredient instead of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These strips also come recommended by Huang, who notes that they shouldn’t cause any irritation for the most sensitive teeth. The brand recommends wearing the strips for 30 minutes daily (similar to Crest’s strips) for seven days consecutively for best results.
$23
at Amazon$23
at Amazon
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste
now 7% off
$13 for 3
Active ingredient: 2 percent hydrogen peroxide | Method: Toothpaste | Ease of use: Easy
Switching to a whitening toothpaste is by far the easiest method on this list. The downside is that whitening toothpastes contain lower percentages of hydrogen peroxide, if they contain any at all, so you might not see results when used alone. That’s why Dr. Mandy Kouroshnia of New York’s Cityzen Dental typically recommends using one in conjunction with other whitening solutions. Alvarez recommends this Colgate toothpaste in particular because it’s one of the few that actually uses a chemical whitener — it contains 2 percent hydrogen peroxide — where others rely on physical tooth polishers like silica or calcium carbonate, which can dull the surface of the enamel over time. Though it has a smaller concentration of hydrogen peroxide than other tooth whiteners on this list, it will still work to actually whiten or bleach your tooth enamel, resulting in a true color change. Dr. Elisa Mello of NYC Smile notes that it’s best used once a week instead of replacing regular toothpaste to avoid causing sensitivity.
$13 for 3
at Amazon$17 for 3
at Target
Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda and Peroxide Toothpaste
$8 for 4
now 11% off
$8 for 4
Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Method: Toothpaste | Ease of use: Easy
If you’re looking for a whitening toothpaste you can use daily without as much risk of causing sensitivity, Mello recommends Arm & Hammer’s Advance White Toothpaste. It ranks much lower than the Colgate Optic White toothpaste on the toothpaste-abrasiveness scale, which can help more in the long run with both teeth sensitivity and the likelihood of future staining. “The problem with whitening toothpastes is that they’re very abrasive, and while being abrasive can remove superficial stains on the surface of your teeth, it also can remove enamel or scratch your teeth,” says Mello. “In the short term, you’re seeing a great result, but in the long term, you may have a scratch on the surface that’s easier to stain, and that’s a problem.”
$8 for 4
at Amazon$8 for 4
at Amazon
Our experts
• Dr. Edward A. Alvarez, NYC cosmetic dentist
• Dr. Ben El Chami, co-founder and chief dental officer at Dntl Bar
• Dr. Inna Chern, dentist at New York General Dentistry
• Dr. Sharon Huang, founder of Les Belles NYC
• Dr. Marie Jackson, founder of Stellar Smile Center
• Dr. Mandy Kouroshnia, founder of Cityzen Dental
• Dr. Richard Lipari, founder of NY Great Smiles
• Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, dentist and founder of JBL NYC
• Dr. Elisa Mello, co-founder of NYC Smile Design
• Dr. Chris Salierno, chief dental officer at Tend
• Dr. Ben Winters, the Bentist and orthodontist at Wincrest Orthodontics
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