How to Find the Best Teeth Whitening Products for Your Smile!

The shade of people's teeth is determined by heredity so, no matter what methods of teeth whitening we use, we will never be able to get naturally grey or yellow teeth glaringly white. Still, everyone can improve their smile by removing surface stains and build up. Dental bleaching is the most effective teeth whitening system, but there are a number of over the counter products that work to brighten your smile without the cost and possible irritation of harsh dental chemicals.

What method of teeth whitening product you choose depends on the condition of your teeth, your sensitivity level, and how much time you are willing to put into getting your pearly whites...whiter!

Let's look at the common teeth whitening products on the market.

These products are the most common and least costly way to brighten teeth. Many brands of toothpaste tout themselves as "whitening" but some are marketed specifically to remove surface stains. One of the most popular whitening toothpastes is the Rembrandt brand. This slightly pricey toothpaste claims to whiten, brighten, and protect teeth with no irritation even for sensitive teeth. Regardless of brand, all teeth whitening toothpastes are slightly more abrasive than ordinary toothpastes and many have polishing agents in them as well. They are effective against surface stains caused by food, drink, and tobacco but they contain no bleach, thus they can only whiten the teeth a few shades. Regular use of whitening toothpastes can maintain a bright smile but can't tackle heavily stained teeth and yellowed teeth due to age.

Pre- and post-rinses contain peroxide and work to loosen plaque and stains so that brushing is more effective. Listerine and Crest Pro-Health are two popular pre-brushing rinses that go to work on stains before you brush. Rembrandt is one of the most popular post brushing rinses that freshens breath and continues to whiten teeth after you're done brushing them.Using a combination of teeth whitening toothpastes and rinses is a fairly inexpensive and easy way to keep your teeth polished without doing anything much different than you ordinarily would do to care for your teeth daily.

Whitestrips are the most popular type of teeth whitening products sold over the counter. These strips contain peroxide and other whitening agents that remove stains and mildly bleach teeth.

Crest and Listerine are two very popular strips. These strips are separately packaged in foil and contain hydrogen peroxide as their main ingredient. They need to be placed on the teeth and kept there for up to 30 minutes at a time. Individual results vary widely and some people experience unpleasant sensitivity or even pain when using these types of whitening strips. Because the peroxide is right on the teeth and gums, those with sensitive teeth or gums may have to build up the time that they wear the strips or, in severe cases, will have to avoid using them altogether. Users can't eat or drink when they are wearing the strips and must remember to use them consistently for best results.

These types of whiteners are lesser used products but are gaining popularity because they're great on the go and require very little time to use. GoSmile has patented a system of ampoules filled with a hydrogen peroxide solution that users break open and "brush" onto the teeth. The clear liquid can be applied in moments and isn't visible so one could use the whitening ampoules anywhere. However, because the mouth makes saliva that washes away the solution, results aren't as noticeable with brush on type whiteners as they are with whitestrips. Still, for those on the go who want to maintain a bright smile, these ampoules and pen type brushes freshen breath and remove surface stains in seconds.

Trays were once the only teeth whitening products that people used. These trays are usually rubber or plastic and must be filled with a whitening solution then inserted into the mouth against the teeth. Some are moldable to users' mouths while others are rigid. Many toothpaste brands make teeth whitening trays. Aquafresh trays are among the most popular. All of the trays contain a peroxide solution to remove stains and slightly bleach teeth.

Dental trays contain a higher concentration of bleaching ingredients for more noticeable results but they are among the most harsh and most expensive. Dental tray users generally aren't fond of having an obtrusive tray in their mouths for up to 30 minutes at a time but do see results. Since the whitening agents are nestled up against the teeth for a length of time, the results are faster and can be more noticeable with trays than with whitestrips or toothpastes. These, too, can be harsh and cause sensitivity. The stronger the potency of the whitening ingredients, the higher the chance that a user will experience irritation, a burning sensation, and even pain. In the case of pain from any teeth whitener, users should call their dentist for instructions and advice. Pain can indicate that the whitening ingredients are too harsh for the teeth and gums and can cause the teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold liquids and foods. In extreme cases, pain indicates a break down of the protective tooth enamel, weakening the teeth.

These trays are said to be the most effective over the counter teeth whiteners because they combine traditional peroxide based stain removers with blue light technology to whiten teeth more deeply than any other type of whitener. The iWhite Light Activated Teeth Whitening Kit is the most popular light activated tray kit but it doesn't come cheaply. Users insert the whitening agent or a foam strip pretreated with whitening ingredients into the tray and place it into the mouth against the teeth. The blue light pulses activating the whitening and speeding the process. Dental offices are offering light technology whitening claiming it is painless, fast, and very effective. The at home trays emulate the dental office experience but the whiteners and light aren't as strong, thus the results not as noticeable.Users report that their teeth do get whiter and brighter and that sensitivity is rare with these kits. The procedure should be repeated as needed and maintained with whitening toothpaste.

Lastly, there are old standbys that worked for generations. Baking soda and fresh crushed strawberries both remove stains from teeth with a minimum of cost and abrasion. Gargling or brushing the teeth with bottled hydrogen peroxide is an effective and very cost efficient way to chase stains away but can wear on the tooth enamel if used too often.