Among teeth-whitening kits, the great divide is peroxide: More peroxide means whiter teeth in less time; less peroxide produces whiter teeth in a longer period. The concentration of whiteners you can get at the dentist's office is higher, and so is the price. A professional will treat your teeth in the chair with a peroxide concentration of 15 to as high as 43 percent, using "blue spectrum" light to speed the process. The American Dental Association sanctions this treatment, which costs anywhere from $500 to $800 and is often available in shopping malls and other locations, usually with a dentist on the premises. But cheaper at-home methods work, and the range of products sold to do the job is getting bigger and bigger.
What to Look for
Crest Whitestrips Premium consistently garners the best ratings in a wide variety of tests and reviews, from online shopping sites to "Good Housekeeping" magazine, Consumer Reports and even professional dental organizations. Not surprisingly, it has a higher concentration of peroxide (10 percent) than its older cousin, Crest Whitestrips Classic (6 percent), which is usually close on Premium's heels. Consistently, users get the best results with higher concentrations of peroxide and longer contact of the solution to the teeth. While dental patients paying hundreds for a quick fix may get results up to 10 shades lighter, Whitestrips users of either variety reported three or more shades of lightening with consistent use. GoSmile Advanced Formula B1 costs about three times more than Whitestrips Premium, and what you're paying for is convenience: This type comes with tubes of gel that is scrubbed on with a brush, and in many surveys, users thought the extra cost was worth it.
Common Pitfalls
Reviewers on Amazon.com and Drugstore.com have complained about tooth and gum pain associated with Aquafresh Whitetrays. In general, the greater the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the more sensitivity some users experience. There's also been an explosion in the whitening toothpaste market. The prices are lower than the kits, so you may be tempted to try them instead. But you'll likely be disappointed. Consumer Reports tested 41 whitening toothpastes in a 2006 study, and none of them did anything more than superficial surface "whitening"--meaning far less than the over-the-counter whitening kits. Dentists interviewed for an article_temp on WebMD cautioned that some people should not bleach their teeth: anyone under 16, because the nerves in the teeth are enlarged until that age and whitening solutions will likely cause pain and sensitivity; pregnant or breastfeeding women; and people with worn tooth enamel or gum disease. The American Dental Association cautions that any cavities should be filled before whitening.
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