Do over the counter home teeth whitening products work? Or is it just a waste of money? Some of them do work, but they have pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular over the counter home teeth whitening products that can be easily purchased online.
With our technology today, we can easily whiten our teeth and brighten our smiles with the help of apps and editing software. However, nothing beats the real thing.
If you have tons of dollars and lots of time to spare, going back and forth to the dentist will not be a problem. But if your pocket and time do not allow you to do so, the next best thing to do is to pick over the counter home teeth whitening products that can and will work for you.
With that being said, I have rounded up several home teeth whitening products that people have suggested and asked around for opinions from those who have already tried them. The shocking result is the compilation of this concise yet brutally honest review.
But before we proceed with the review, let us first discuss the qualities that the best over the counter home teeth whitening products should have.
What Makes The Best Over the Counter Home Teeth Whitening Products?
Gels, pens, strips, trays, and whatever system there is, you need to weed out the good products from the bad ones. The only way to do that is to know the qualities of the well-performing home whitening systems. Here they are:
Ingredients that can be clearly seen and read – the ingredients should be blatantly displayed so that users can see them. Additionally, you should see hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as part of their key ingredients.
Why? Those two are proven to be effective in eliminating both superficial and deep stains. If you don’t see any of those two on the label, it is best to just leave those whiteners on the shelf.
Has the right amount of peroxide level – those with 10% hydrogen peroxide or higher concentration are abrasive and are considered harmful as they can burn the skin. As for carbamide peroxide, 35% is enough.
Higher concentration can and should be only used by dentists as they can adequately protect the skin and gums with gel or a rubber dam. Hence, I strongly suggest that you consult your dentist prior to using any over the counter home teeth whitening products.
Other ingredients – there are whitening products that heavily rely on charcoal, baking soda, and other ingredients instead of any peroxide. Those products can whiten your teeth only a little.
Ease of use – you will get the best results if you religiously and consistently use the product as instructed. Did you know that there are whiteners that oblige you to have two sessions a day? But if the application is difficult and uncomfortable, it will be hard to stick to the directions. Thus, you avoid making the treatment altogether.
Apart from that, you need to pick an application method that suits your lifestyle. This all boils down to your own preference though. Most of the participants of the survey feel strongly against trays as they are a bit troublesome.
Results – you can generally tell if the product is good or bad based on the reviews. You can dig a little deeper and do some research to find out more about the product.
If you can see an overwhelming positive response, you can safely conclude that the whitening product is worth trying. Otherwise, carry on with probing until you find the right one for you.
But from the research and surveys I conducted, I can say that the higher the peroxide content, the more satisfied the consumers are with the result.
Other Things to Consider
Before venturing into the world of over the counter home teeth whitening products, you also need to take the following into account:
Your dentist’s opinion – do not spend a dime without even asking for your dentist’s recommendation. There are times when a good cleaning is all you need, to remove the deep-seated stains and plaque.
Dental hygiene and habits – as mentioned, you need to pick a method that fits your daily routine as consistency is key in teeth whitening. If a 30-minute session is already quite an ordeal for you, choose a faster option – one that will last for 10 minutes or so. In the end, the option that can help you easily and regularly apply will also give out the best outcome.
Also, don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to help you eradicate plaque that contributes to teeth discoloration.
Dental history – did you know that not all teeth can be whitened by over the counter home teeth whitening products? Examples are dentures, crowns, fillings, and veneers. Gray teeth due to smoking and medications don’t respond well to whiteners either.
Older people will not like it when I say that young teeth fare better when it comes to over the counter home teeth whitening products. The reason is that people younger than 24 have not drunk, as much tea, coffee, or wine to stain their teeth as much as the adults.
Your food intake – you should know by now that the food or drinks you consume are the culprits of the discoloration. So if you intend to whiten your pearly whites, it is best to keep your intake in check.
For instance, you need to avoid coffee, tea, sweets, and citrus fruits. On the other hand, food packed with fiber, milk, cheese, and other dairy products will greatly improve your oral health and fight plaque.
Over The Counter Home Teeth Whitening Products Review
Now that we know the things to consider in buying home teeth whiteners, let us get started with the review.
iBright
iBright is a whitening kit that includes a 5-watt LED lamp, silicone mouth tray, shade guide, fluoride wipes, pre-treatment spray, and tooth whitening gel. When used together as instructed, the result is a megawatt smile that is long-lasting and captivating.
Apart from the key ingredients, this whitener boasts of having sodium perborate and hydroxyapatite crystals that amplify the formula’s effectiveness.
What I love about it:
- Discreet and convenient – the product is packed in a discreet packaging and directly shipped to your doorstep so no one else will know that you are using the product.
- Additionally, you don’t have to leave your home to get your hands on iBright. With just a click, your order will be on its way to you.
- Practical – there is no need to set dentist appointment to have your teeth whitened. You can do it at home (or even if you have not showered yet) by yourself. Just make sure that you follow the directions carefully.
- Easy to use – you don’t have to worry about the ingredients as they have been approved by the US FDA. It is easy to use too.
You can read about the in-depth review when you click here.
Click Here to Visit the Manufacturer’s Website
Bella Teeth Whitening
Bella Teeth Whitening is a gel type tooth whitener that boasts results in 6 days. It contains carbamide peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide which are both effective in delivering gleaming pearly whites.
Apart from being budget-friendly, it boasts of easy plaque removal and fast application. It does not just whiten teeth, but also polishes them, therefore making you more noticeable when you smile.
What I love about it:
- Does the job – it might not be the best, but it gets the job done over time. It will not make your teeth 10 shades lighter on your first try, but it will get better.
- Convenient – you can order it online and have it shipped right away so you can start using it.
The only complaint I got was that the gel is almost similar to water in consistency which did not sit well with the users. The watery substance makes application on the teeth difficult.
Click Here to Learn More About Bella Teeth Whitening
Idol White Teeth Whitening Pens
Idol White Teeth Whitening Pen is a whitener that is shaped like a pen, and is quite controversial for some people, because Kim Kardashian and her sisters endorse this product.
It contains potent ingredients including hydrogen peroxide, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, and a hint of peppermint oil that leaves you feeling fresh and clean after each use.
What I love about it:
- Portable – since it is so small, you can carry it anywhere you go and use it anytime you want to. Your bathroom cabinet will be spared from all the equipment needed to whiten teeth as a pen is all you need.
- Convenient – it is shaped like a pen so you can firmly grip the applicator. Thus, the session becomes fast as application is made easy.
- Not messy – you don’t need trays and strips to get the job done. Again, a pen is all you need.
The only thing users wish to improve is for the results to last forever. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as forever when it comes to over the counter home teeth whitening products.
This is especially true if you can’t live without your daily dose of coffee (and the likes). Plus, I suggest that you get the 5-month plan to save more.
Click Here to Learn More About Teeth Whitening Pen
Alta White
Alta White is a teeth whitening solution that stands out in this list. Why? It does not have peroxide in it, unlike the others.
This can be both a boon and bane for this whitener. This is great as it makes your teeth less susceptible to sensitivity and irritation. However, not having peroxide make it the least effective on this list.
What I love about it:
- Uncomplicated – it does not need strips or trays to work. All you have to do is dip the applicator into the whitening powder and apply. Absolutely straightforward.
- Money-saving – you don’t need to book costly appointments and treatments to have a whiter smile.
As usual, one resounding disadvantage cited by users is that the results don’t last very long which is something that is out of the manufacturer’s control.
Click Here to Learn More About Alta White
Conclusion
The yummiest and most addictive food, drinks, and habits, unfortunately, cause darker and stained teeth. But don’t worry if you can’t say goodbye to those contributing factors just yet.
There are numerous over the counter home teeth whitening products that you can choose from – four of them reviewed in this post. These solutions will help you save money and say hello to a brighter smile.
So go ahead and take your pick so you can finally find out if over the counter home teeth whitening products are the real deal.
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