There are lots of different teeth whitening products available. On this page we:
The main differences between teeth whitening products are the effort involved in using them and the intensity of the clean. You need to balance these two factors to select the right product.
Factors like price also come in to it.
Daily treatments for 2-4 weeks.
30-60 mins.
A lot.
5
Kits include trays that are a bit like mouth guards. You push them up on to your teeth and leave them on for a set amount of time to get the whitening effect. Trays are either pre-filled or have to be filled using a syringe which is a bit more work.
We recommend using kits if you want a thorough clean but don’t want to spend the money on professional whitening.
Find out about costs, ingredients and how to use trays here.
Daily treatments for 1-3 weeks.
5-15 mins.
Some.
3
Daily treatments for 1-3 weeks.
30-60 mins.
Some.
4
Strips are a bit easier than kits but you still have to keep them in your mouth for a set amount of time which some people find uncomfortable.
We recommend you try strips if you want good results but aren’t quite ready to use a full tray. Strips are a good product to find out whether a regular teeth whitening routine will give you what you want.
To find out how to use strips, what’s in them, the best products and how much they cost, click here.
daily treatments for 3-5 days
5-10 mins.
Some
2
Activated charcoal comes as powder that you brush your teeth with. Unlike other teeth whitening products there isn’t any scientific evidence to say that it works, but lots of anecdotes from around the internet say that it does.
Be careful not to overuse it as you may risk damaging the enamel on your teeth. Activated charcoal is good if you don’t like the sensation of a tray or strip in your mouth. However, it does make your sink a bit messy!
Daily
5 mins
A little
2-3 depending on quality of product
Teeth whitening pens are great for on the go use, and when you are looking for subtler results. They don’t involve the same amount of effort as strips, charcoal or trays. If you’re curious about teeth whitening but don’t want a treatment that is too involved, pens may be the choice for you.
Click here to find out how pens, work and how much they cost.
Buy from reputable brands—especially when shopping online—to make sure you are exposed to safe levels of hydrogen peroxide.
EU regulations stipulate that teeth whitening products cannot be administered or supplied if they contain over 6% of hydrogen peroxide. Products with 0.1%–6% of hydrogen peroxide have to be sold and administered by a dentist and cannot be sold over the counter.
However, you may be able to find sellers online who supply teeth whitening products that exceed both the 0.1% and the 6% rules. These products are unsafe to use and we strongly recommend you avoid them. Always buy from reputable brands and well-known stores.
Click here to read more about tooth whitening regulations
2-4 sessions
30-60 mins, every 1-2 weeks.
A lot.
5
Pros
Cons
Dentists offer two kinds of professional teeth whitening services.
Like home treatment kits, it’s the contact between the whitener and the teeth that bleaches the teeth.
Lasers don’t actually whiten your teeth—they speed up the whitening process by heating the whitening agent. So rather than having to use a tray over a few weeks, all stains should be gone after two to four 30-minute applications.
Your dentist will:
Your teeth should look whiter immediately after either treatment.
For the best possible results, your dentist will provide you with trays and whitening gel so you can repeat the procedure at home.
They will give you exact instructions but you’ll need to regularly apply the gel over 2–4 weeks.
Dentists are allowed to use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than products you buy over the counter, which will whiten your teeth more rapidly and effectively.
Teeth whitening trays are effective. However, there are conflicting studies into the effectiveness of lasers, and no concrete evidence to support their use.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent used in lots of teeth whitening products. It is safe to use but if you have sensitive teeth or gums you may experience some irritation, which is why non-peroxide treatments are available.
Non-peroxide products use alternative whitening agents to hydrogen peroxide and are suitable for those with sensitive gums and teeth. The whitening agent included in non-peroxide is often a sodium compound such as sodium chlorite or sodium bicarbonate.
Best teeth whitening products:
Easiest to use
2. iWhite Dark Stains Teeth whitening kit
Best for dark stains
3. Spotlight teeth white strips
Best value
Best whitening kit
Spotlight are an Irish brand of teeth whitening products created by cosmetic dentists Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa Creaven. Still both practising dentists, their hands-on experience gives them a unique insight into what patients want and what formulas actually work. That means they can create safe, effective and easy to use systems.
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Full range of teeth whitening products