We’ve all been there - looking for a pearly white smile and not quite knowing what the best way to achieve this is.
With so many whitening products on the market, it can be difficult to navigate each one and to know which one is the most effective.
In this article, we'll discuss office whitening, whitening trays, whitening strips, kits, whitening toothpaste and rinses. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each, and explain what the most effective option is.
Let's get into it!
The Contenders
If you are looking for a whitening product, you have many options. There are five main types of whitening products available on the market: in-office whitening, whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, whitening kits, and whitening trays.
In-office Whitening
Professional whitening treatments, which are delivered at dentist offices, use bleaching agents, often with the use of an LED light or laser, to lift surface stains and whiten teeth.
During in-office whitening, a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution (usually 35% weight) is used for 20 to 30 minutes. However, this solution can be very damaging to delicate tissue, so it's important to protect the tongue and gums using tools such as water-soaked gauze or a rubber dam.
Dental professionals may use laser equipment to speed up the chemical reactions. It's worth noting that the use of lasers in this way is considered "off-label" usage by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are adhesive strips that are placed on the teeth and left for about 30 minutes to whiten teeth. They, too, work by bleaching the enamel and dissolving surface stains.
Whitening Toothpaste & Rinses
Whitening toothpastes and rinses contain mild abrasives and low-level bleaching agents. They work by removing surface stains which accumulate on the enamel of teeth.
By gently removing these surface stains found on the outer layer of the enamel, it leaves a whiter layer of enamel to be exposed, leaving you with a whiter smile.
Whitening Trays
Whitening trays include a mouth guard like tray, that is filled with a bleaching gel.
This gel helps to dissolve surface stains, and leaves your teeth whiter than before. They can be prescribed by a dentist, or brought over the counter.
Whitening Kits
Whitening kits, like our rapid radiance teeth whitening kit, is the most recognizable whitening product on the market at the moment. These whitening kits are the closest to professional whitening tools that are available to the public.
Whitening kits, like whitening trays, look similar to mouthguards. They work by applying a whitening solution to the ‘guard’ and placing it over your teeth. However, they also utilize an LED light, which enhances the whitening power.
Evaluating Effectiveness
Strength of Whitening Agent
When it comes to the strength of whitening agents, the strongest products are by far those offered in dentists' offices.
Dentists can use strong whitening agents to check your enamel health and use any strengthening products you may need. At-home whitening kits and trays are the next strongest products available.
Products such as whitening toothpaste have the lowest strength of whitening agent, making them best for use in people who have weak enamel, or want to maintain the whiteness of their teeth.
Speed of Results
The stronger the whitening product, the faster you will see the results. This means that in-office whitening treatments and professional take-home kits give the fastest results, while whitening toothpaste and mouthwash give gradual results over weeks and months.
Convenience
The most convenient whitening product is, by far whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste is designed to be used exactly like normal toothpaste, with no extra effort needed.
Other whitening products, such as whitening kits, whitening guards, and whitening strips, can conveniently be used at home, however, must be left on between half an hour to an hour to see results.
On the other hand, dentists' treatments require the most effort. Appointments must be made, and they last an hour to two. Follow-up care may also be required.
Cost
In-office whitening is the most expensive type of tooth whitening available. The next is whitening kits and trays, which, although come with a hefty price tag, achieve results the fastest.
Other options include whitening strips, which fall in the moderate price range but remain very effective.
Whilst toothpaste and mouthwash designed to whiten teeth is often the most budget-friendly option available on the market.
|
Whitening Method |
Strength of Whitening Agent |
Speed of Results |
Convenience |
Cost |
|
In-Office Whitening |
Very high |
Immediate or within one visit |
Requires a dental visit; lasts about 1–2 hours |
$$$$ (Expensive) |
|
Moderate |
Visible in 1–2 weeks |
Easy to use, can be done at home |
$$$ (Moderate to Expensive) |
|
|
Whitening Trays |
Moderate |
2–4 weeks |
Easy to use, can be done at home |
$$ (Moderate) |
|
Low |
Gradual over weeks/months |
Very convenient; part of daily brushing routine |
$ (Inexpensive) |
|
|
Moderate |
1–2 weeks |
Convenient; applied at home for 30 minutes daily |
$$ (Moderate) |
|
|
Whitening Mouthwash |
Low |
Several months |
Very convenient; used as part of daily routine |
$ (Inexpensive) |
Declaring the Champion
Whilst the best whitening product depends on your teeth’s existing health, your expectations, and budget, there is one product which checks most peoples boxes.
These are whitening strips.
Whitening strips the highly effective at home treatments. They offer results within 1 or 2 weeks, are inexpensive for the results you see, and are easy to use. They are not too strong to use for most people’s teeth, can be popped into your bag for travel, and offer amazing whitening results.
Choosing Your Champion: A Guide
Whilst we think whitening strips offer the most benefits for many people, they are not the best product for everyone to use. Deciding on the best product for your needs requires acknowledgment of your unique needs and priorities.
Here are some things you should consider:
- Consider the desired whitening speed and level: If you’re looking for instant results, consider a visit to the dentist office. If, however, you are willing to wait a week or two, an at home whitening kit, whitening tray and whitening strips are for you.
- Factor in budget and convenience needs: If you’re happy to wait for results, and have a limited budget, whitening toothpaste and mouthwash are the most budget-friendly and convenient way to gradually whiten your teeth.
- Mention sensitivity concerns: Some whitening products, especially those that use strong peroxide-based whitening agents, such as whitening kits and trays, may exacerbate pre-existing tooth sensitivity. More gentle products, such as whitening toothpaste and whitening mouthwash, maybe the best for people with sensitive teeth. However, Boka teeth whitening products are peroxide-free, which means pain-free teeth whitening and are best for sensitive teeth. We use PAP and nano-hydroxyapatite to remove stains while prioritizing your tooth sensitivity.
- Consult a dentist: If you're still unsure of what whitening product is best for you, consider consulting a dentist for customized, expert advice.
Dr. Anjum Chaudhary, BDS, MDS, says, “There are numerous natural methods to whiten your teeth. Most of these treatments gently remove surface stains from your teeth.
However, the whitening procedures used by dentists are generally more powerful than those found in home remedies. In cases of severe tooth discoloration, professional whitening may be more effective.
Using whitening products excessively can harm your teeth. It's important to always discuss your options with your dentist to determine the best course of action for you.”
Conclusion
For many people, whitening strips is the most effective tooth whitening method. By using the strips for just half an hour each day, you’ll start to see results within about a week. They’re also budget friendly, and do not contain extremely strong whitening agents, making them appropriate for most people to use.
In saying this, the perfect whitening product depends on each person's unique needs. Whether you're someone who needed white teeth yesterday, someone with sensitive teeth, or someone who doesn't have the time to whiten their teeth, there's a perfect whitening product out there for you.
We recommend having a look at our range of whitening products. They’re tried, tested, pain-free and we’re sure they'll leave you with a confident, gleaming smile.