The Most Effective Tooth Whitening Treatment

Using a tooth whitening treatment is an easy and common way to whiten your smile. The procedure uses a chemical reaction to bleach the color of your teeth. Not all tooth whitening treatment options are equal though, and the results may vary depending on your smile.

This article will outline the most effective tooth whitening treatment and share some tips to make sure you get the best results possible.

How a Tooth Whitening Treatment Works: Why Teeth Whiten

Your natural tooth color can range from yellow to grey hues. Yellow coloring is easy to whiten and works with most whitening systems. Grey coloring is more challenging to whiten and usually requires professional help.

Why Teeth Whiten:

Discoloration Sources: The most common cause of discoloration is staining from food and beverages. Other causes can be trauma, aging due to the natural thinning of enamel, and certain medications.
The Process: Teeth are porous, like sponges, and the whitening agents open up the tubules to remove the stain. The active ingredient in whitening treatments reacts with stains and breaks down the bond.

A tooth whitening treatment will work on natural tooth structures. They will not bleach fillings or restorations. Your dental professional can help match any restorations with the tooth shade you’re happy with.

At Home Tooth Whitening Treatment Options

There are several different applications you can use to whiten your smile. There are two main categories: professional and at-home treatments. Everyone’s smile is unique and you may need to explore several treatments to find what works for you.

Here are the top at-home tooth whitening treatment options:

Whitening Strips: These come as a thin, elastic plastic that you simply press on the teeth. The gel is usually a peroxide or bleach solution that is already distributed on the strip. White strips usually only cover the front teeth in each arch that appear when you smile.
Whitening Trays with/without LED Light: A soft plastic tray where whitening gel is dispensed into and possibly activated by an LED light. The LED light speeds up the whitening process and activates the chemical reaction of the bleaching solution to penetrate the enamel.
- - Some may experience increased sensitivity with LED lights and can benefit from whitening trays with gel alone.
Whitening Pens: These are a convenient way to touch up any dental surface. The plastic, convenient, tube contains a bleaching gel that can be easily applied in hard-to-reach spots. In order to work, the gel needs to stay on the tooth surface for around 20-30 minutes.

Best Overall Professional Tooth Whitening Treatments

Philips Zoom Whitespeed: This in-office whitening system is clinically proven to whiten up to 8 shades in one dental visit. Your dental professional will put barriers around your teeth, apply several layers of whitening gel, and use the LED white to activate. Customizable whitening trays and take-home gel can be used to maintain this shade of white.

KöR Whitening: This system works with a combination of at-home and in-chair treatment. Custom bleach trays are used 2 weeks prior, to preparing the teeth. The dental clinician will put barriers around your teeth and apply several layers of specially formulated gel. No LED light is required. Results are clinically proven for up to 16 times whiter teeth.

Opalescence Boost: A popular in-office professional whitening system that has been used for over 20 years. Your dental professional will set up barriers to the teeth and apply layers of specially formulated whitening solution to the tooth surface. No LED light is needed.

Tips for Whitening Success

Drink any staining beverages through a straw and follow up with water These include coffee, teas, dark sodas, and smoothies with berries.
If you experience cold sensitivity, sensitive toothpaste can help block the sensation. An option is using sensitive toothpaste in the morning to protect you throughout the day and your dentist recommended toothpaste at night.
Some gum sensitivity is common. Make sure you wipe off any excess gel that gets on your gums. Vitamin E capsules can help soothe gum irritation. Break open the capsules and gently rub the liquid on the gums after whitening.
The best way to maintain a white smile is by daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings. Visit Our Guide to a Healthy Smile for more home care tips.

For additional tips and tricks, check out our article Tips for Whitening Teeth.

Recommendations on Tooth Whitening Treatments

We highly recommend that you reach out to your dentist and ask their opinion on what they think would work best as a teeth whitening treatment for you. Everyone’s teeth and unique and some treatments will work better for some than they will for others.

It’s possible that something as easy as whitening strips will work for you, but in other cases, it could be best for you to receive professional treatments at your dental office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is whitening bad for your teeth?

Over whitening or using unsafe products can destroy layers of enamel. This can lead to permanent tooth sensitivity. Some whitening gels can cause chemical burns on the gum tissue that can cause discomfort until healed. Avoid charcoal products for whitening.

What is the best treatment to whiten teeth?

The best tooth whitening treatment depends on your dental needs. The most dramatic and long-lasting whitening will come with a professional treatment done with your dental clinician.

How can I whiten my teeth quickly?

Every tooth in your smile is different. What works with some individuals may not work for you. If time and convenience are an issue, opt for an over-the-counter whitening system. Remember these at-home treatments will only whiten to a certain degree.

How much does it cost to get my teeth whitened?

The cost of a tooth whitening treatment depends on what system and level of whitening you desire. Keep in mind that sometimes it pays off more to seek a dental professional for a whitening treatment and to maintain at-home systems.

White Strips: around $35-$60
Trays with LED Light: around $35-$65
Whitening Pens: $30-$50
Professional In-Chair Whitening: around $500-$1900
Professional Custom Fit Trays: around $400-$500 for the trays, $40-$70 for the gel.

Take Home Smile Store

Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.

Elizabeth Graves

Elizabeth Graves is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant who has worked in varying dental settings across the United States and founded Take Home Smile in 2020. With over 10 years working in the dental field, she continues to educate her patients both in-office and online, as well as supporting fellow and future dental practitioners in their careers. Elizabeth prides herself on furthering her patient's knowledge about dental health and proper at-home care techniques. She also supervises, trains, and supports fellow dental practitioners to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information from the dental industry to those most in need.