6 Best teeth whitening products: Types, cost and more

Is having a whiter and brighter smile on your bucket list this year?

We understand that feeling comfortable with your teeth can significantly impact your confidence when smiling. This leads to more frequent and genuine smiles, which, in turn, can boost your mood.

Desiring a brighter smile involves various factors that can contribute to tooth discoloration, such as certain foods and drinks. For instance, coffee can permeate tooth enamel, causing deep discoloration beyond surface stains.

Fortunately, there are ways to start whitening your smile from the comfort of your home.  

These products not only offer an easy and convenient method of brightening teeth by a few shades, but some can even work beneath the enamel to remove built-up staining, providing an easy-to-go solution to tooth discoloration.

This way, you can whiten your teeth using the best teeth whitening products recommended by cosmetic dentists.

Do these types of products really work?

Many oral care brands provide cost-effective, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments that you can use at home. 

These products typically contain active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, which work to remove stains on the surface of teeth and deeper layers.

While these may not be as potent as in-office treatments, when used correctly and consistently, they can effectively address minor discoloration when used correctly and consistently. 

Top 6 teeth whitening products 

There are a wide range of at-home teeth whitening products available. 

Our goal is to help you understand your options and the kind of results you can expect from each. With this information, you can choose a teeth whitening kit that's just right for you and helps you achieve the results you're after. 

Curious about how to achieve a brighter smile from the comfort of your home? Let's explore the best teeth whitening products available for purchase at your local pharmacy or store. 

1. Trays

This product is considered one of the best teeth whitening options in Canada.

Teeth whitening trays are custom-fitted devices that are designed to adhere to the teeth and utilize active ingredients to whiten them. 

Trays work in a similar way to whitening strips, by sticking to your teeth and using active ingredients to whiten them while you wear them.

You'll notice almost immediate results after one use, although the higher dose causes some discomfort and sensitivity. The active ingredient is usually hydrogen peroxide. 

These trays can be prefilled with a whitening agent or require filling before use. 

2. LED Light kits

LED teeth whitening kits are a preferred option for teeth whitening. 

These devices utilize a peroxide gel as a base and then activate the gel using LED technology. 

LED lights work to whiten teeth by triggering a photochemical reaction on the tooth surface. When applied, the light energy activates the hydrogen peroxide in the teeth-whitening serum, accelerating the bleaching process. 

Regardless of the cause of yellow teeth, this treatment is known for effectively enhancing any smile.

It's important to note that LED devices also have potential adverse side effects, such as the risk of causing tissue damage. 

Therefore, dentists advise caution when considering the addition of an LED device to your dental routine.

3. Strips

Teeth whitening strips have the potential to effectively whiten your teeth by bleaching stains with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Whitening strips have peroxides that enter the enamel of your teeth to access the underlying dentin layer and bleach chromogens. 

Chromogens, which are pigmented molecules present inside and outside your tooth, contribute to staining, and the strips work to remove them.

Whitening strips are usually applied twice daily for around two weeks, each lasting about 30 minutes. 

You may start noticing results in just a few days; over the 2-week period, your teeth could lighten by a shade or two.

This method is highly regarded among the best teeth whitening products in Canada.

4. Pens

A teeth-whitening pen helps to combat common stains in your smile.

They are slender plastic tubes containing a whitening gel, designed to be compact and easy to carry around. 

These pens work to enhance the color of your teeth by eliminating any remaining stains on the surface of each tooth. They are known for producing visible results rapidly, with some users noticing a difference after just one use.

Teeth whitening pens contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are bleaching agents. These bleaches work by breaking down stains into smaller pieces, making the stains less concentrated and causing teeth to appear brighter.

5. Toothpastes

Whitening toothpaste is the ideal product if you are starting to use this kind of product on your teeth, as the sensitivity is less. 

Standard toothpaste that does not have whitening properties. On the other hand, whitening toothpaste is formulated with specific ingredients to actively brighten and enhance the appearance of your smile over time.

Whitening toothpaste offers an affordable and convenient solution for removing stains from your teeth. 

While it requires some patience and may necessitate lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing coffee consumption, it can produce noticeable improvements in the whiteness of your teeth.

6. Gels

Most whitening kits contain gel.

When teeth whitening gels containing Hydrogen or Carbamide peroxide are applied, they penetrate the teeth and initiate a process known as oxidation. 

This process breaks down the stain compounds and effectively removes them from the enamel, resulting in a brighter and whiter smile.

When using whitening gel for the first time, it is generally advised to leave it on your teeth for 30 minutes to 1 hour. If you experience little or no tooth sensitivity, you can gradually increase the wearing time.

Which one or ones should I choose?

Each option in this ranking offers impressive results, but the choice ultimately depends on your individual preferences and the level of comfort you seek. 

A whitening toothpaste is an excellent choice for those concerned about potential dental sensitivity. 

However, if you have prior experience using whitening products, it's advisable to select the tool that you feel most comfortable using. 

Some may prefer LED kits, while others find pens convenient for their portability.

We recommend choosing the most appealing option, as all the alternatives can deliver a brighter smile. 

Have a professional teeth whitening treatment

These are the best teeth whitening products in Canada. However, many patients are curious about in-office treatment and wonder if it is better than at-home options.

Absolutely, professional in-office teeth whitening is the most effective method for achieving a brighter, whiter smile.

At 4th Floor Dental, we are dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic treatments that are supported by the latest technological advancements and advanced techniques. 

We believe in the importance of comprehensive care, which is why we also offer follow-up at-home treatments using the tools mentioned above, as we have seen how beneficial they can be in ensuring the success and longevity of our cosmetic procedures.

If you aspire to achieve the smile of your dreams with the expertise of professionals, feel free to reach out to us here.

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