The most frequent question about tooth whitening kits is, “Do they really work?” Whether you’ve had expensive tooth whitening treatments done at your local dentist or have simply been putting up with increasingly dull-looking teeth that have long since lost their shine, perhaps a take home tooth whitening kit could be right for you. In order to find out, let’s explore some of the top 5 tooth whitening take home kits on the market to see how they compare.
As it turns out, the answer to that first question is yes. Many available take home tooth whitening kits do in fact work for many people. There are some caveats, of course. They don’t work for every type of discoloration or stain. They should however work for most of them.
1. Shine Whitening Zero Peroxide Teeth Whitening System
If you have sensitive teeth that may not be able to handle the harsher ingredients in some of the other tooth whitening kits, this kit could be right for you. It is designed for people with very sensitive teeth and utilizes botanical ingredients rather than harsh chemicals or hydrogen peroxide, along with LED light to speed up the whitening process.
2. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light
The gel in this kit is quite powerful and not for those with sensitive teeth. This kit is something of an opposite to the aforementioned kit and is for those with serious stains who are willing to try a very potent solution in an effort to deal with them.
The gel included in this kit includes a solution of 35% carbamide peroxide as a whitening agent, which is the equivalent to about 12% hydrogen peroxide. The upside to this strong solution is that it works quickly and delivers results. The downside is that it may leave some people with sore teeth due to the intensity, so use with caution.
You can expect to see several shades of improvement with the AuraGlow kit after just one or two sessions.
3. Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder
If you are looking for an all-natural solution to whiten your teeth that does not involve chemicals at all, then this one could be for you. The Active Wow powder is derived from coconut charcoal rather than the hydrogen peroxide most of the gels use. It also incorporates some bentonite clay which contains minerals that can help strengthen your teeth, as well as some orange seed oil to minimize inflammation and infection.
This natural kit uses the process of adsorption to pull stains from the teeth, and while it may take more applications than competing kits to achieve its full effect, should help whiten your teeth by several shades over time.
One advantage of this kit is how simple it is to use. Because it is a simple powder, you just apply some to your toothbrush and brush your teeth a second time after your normal brushing routine.
4. Rembrandt 2-Hour Whitening Kit
If you are in a hurry to get your teeth whitened and don’t have the time for the repeated applications required with the other tooth whitening take home kit options, then the Rembrandt kit might be right for you.
Whether its a critical job interview or a last-minute date, you should be able to achieve some substantial whitening with this kit in just a few hours. But be forewarned, it takes a bit longer than two hours to use this kit as there is some setup time involved.
The kit comes with two soft trays which must be heated in hot water and then molded to fit your teeth. Once the trays are formed, you fill them with a gel solution and apply to your teeth.
Rembrandt also has the most experience in making tooth whitening kits, as they have been around the longest of all the companies on this list.
5. Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips Teeth Whitening Kit
We have mentioned some gels and even a powder, but now it is time to cover the most popular way to whiten your teeth, which is tooth whitening strips. When it comes to tooth whitening strips, Crest is the brand that comes to mind. This is not only because Crest is a major brand but also because their products work the best of all the whitening strips out there on the market.
Each set comes with a total of 40 whitening strips and can be used over the course of a twenty day treatment plan. This is because each treatment requires two strips, one for the upper set of teeth and one for the bottom.
The way these strips work is they are moisture activated and stick to your teeth until removed. However, you cannot talk or drink anything at all while the strips are in place. The best time to use the strips is in the morning, but before you brush your teeth.
The strips include a variety of ingredients, but are based on hydrogen peroxide, as are many of the other tooth whitening products on the market. The strips are made of polyethylene, which should not cause any problems if accidentally swallowed.
These strips are quite potent, and so if you have sensitive teeth, you may want to exercise some caution with them or perhaps consider one of the other gentler options on this list.
Lastly, if you are not ready for whitening strips but would still like to see some improvement in your smile, Crest also makes a whitening toothpaste called “3D Whitening Brilliance” which can help to lighten your teeth without having to perform a dedicated procedure.
Why would you use a home treatment vs. a dental office treatment?
Treatments from dental offices can cost quite a lot, ranging from as little as a few hundred dollars to as much as a thousand dollars or more for a laser treatment.
Due to this high cost, you could easily afford to do several sets of any of these treatments for what it would cost to have even one dental office treatment done.
Home tooth whitening treatments are not the end all be all, so if you are unable to achieve the results you are after by using these kits, keep in mind that a dental office treatment could still be a great option for you.
Regardless of which option is right for you, we hope you experience excellent results and whiter teeth. If you have tried any of these options or options we might have missed, feel free to share them in the comments below!