Charcoal powder and toothpaste are very abrasive (gritty), so they can help teeth appear lighter by scrubbing stains off the surface of the tooth better than less gritty, traditional toothpaste," she explains. Teeth whitening strips are only as effective as their ingredients. According to Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and Owner of Skin to Smile, the best teeth whitening strips are formulated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. “These ingredients help break down stains and discoloration on the outer surface of the tooth,” she says. “Hydrogen peroxide breaks down chemical bonds on the surface of the tooth to remove staining and is available in different concentrations in different products; carbamide peroxide has a similar mechanism of action—it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and another by-product called urea. As a result of this additional chemical reaction step, carbamide peroxide is usually present in higher concentrations in whitening products, results in less tooth sensitivity, and has prolonged whitening effects.”

Teeth whiteners come in all shapes and sizes, from gel-coated whitening strips or gel-filled syringes to pens with brush tips used to paint on whitening fluid. 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. Two things to keep in mind, though. First, these plastic strips (which fold over each row of teeth) are heavily saturated with gel, so they may feel noticeable on teeth. Don’t fret, though. The product won’t leech out onto gums. Secondly, this treatment is meant to be seven days long, but the kit includes enough strips for 11 days of whitening. When we reached out to the brand about this, they confirmed that the four additional sets of strips are meant for touch-ups between full treatments.When we tested these strips, we found that they were easy to apply—but that it’s important to take your time. The strips are designed to be pressed into teeth and folded over the edge. When done with care, these thin strips will stay in place, however, if done hastily, they will slide around and not be as effective. If the idea of wearing whitening strips for an hour feels like a prison sentence, allow us to turn your attention to the Crest 3DWhitestrips Bright Dental Whitening Kit, which takes just 30 minutes to process. The kit comes with enough strips for 11 days' worth of whitening. Beverly Hills Formula, Total Protection Whitening, was my last trial before using a fair amount of money on "professional" whitening. Whiter teeth in 1 minute ? Dentist clean feeling ? No tooth paste had ever provided me with either of these, yet in 1 minute, I couldnt believe my eyes. Teeth whitening products aim to remove surface stains on the tooth and penetrate the enamel, to break down the discoloured molecules within. This leaves teeth looking whiter overall. The solutions often contain active bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which remove the deeper stains from your teeth.

It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s exact instructions. If there aren’t any, though, Gonchar says that it’s fine to brush your teeth beforehand. “Brushing prior to using whitening strips will eliminate any surface plaque, food debris, and surface stains on the teeth and allow for deeper penetration of the whitening solution—it also prevents surface plaque from interfering with the whitening process,” she says. “Additionally, most toothpaste contains fluoride which is helpful in preventing tooth sensitivity associated with the use of whitening strips.” For products that contained the permitted amount (0.1% or less), we tested them once. When a product was found to have too much, we tested it twice and the percentage figures given in this article are an average of the two tests. For best results, the kit says to apply the strips one to two times a day for seven consecutive days. In doing so, we found that these strips brightened our teeth two full shades. While that may not seem like much, it was enough for folks around us to take notice. That said, it was also gradual enough to not cause any excess sensitivity. Sue Davies, head of consumer protection at Which?, said: 'It's worrying that our tests have revealed so many of these products sold on online marketplaces - and often hyped on social media - are breaking legal limits for hydrogen peroxide and putting the health of users at risk. One word to the wise: While the strips are meant to be worn for an hour a day for seven to 10 days, we found that spacing them out (ie: wearing them once every two to three days) made for less sensitivity post-treatment, without taking away from the whitened results.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. Here at Beverly Hills Formula we take our science very seriously and believe that continual independent testing is a sure way to verify the hard work we put into the research and development behind each of our new and existing teeth whitening products.

Expect gradual results from teeth whitening strips. Because teeth whitening strips contain a lower amount of active ingredients, diligence and patience are essential for achieving the desired result, notes Dr. Saad. These aren’t a one-and-done deal; you’ll need to use them daily for the entire period as directed. But if you can commit to doing that, you’re golden. Dr. Bobbi Peterson is an orthodontist in Brooklyn, New York. She instructs new dental residents at Kings County Hospital and volunteers in community schools to teach students and staff dental health and to provide free screenings to middle school students. 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. For any products that come with a gel formula, it's worth getting a custom-made mouth tray that's tailored to your teeth and mouth. This will prevent any of the formula from leaking out on to your gums and will minimise the risk of swallowing or gum damage. Mould-your-own trays are available online, or this can be done at a dentist.' With all the different formulas and techniques to choose from, I'm dedicated to uncovering the one over-the-counter whitening method that reigns supreme — and Caroline Girard, DDS, the owner of Beverly Hills Whitening, is here to help.

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.”