Teeth whitening has quickly gained popularity as more people seek to enhance their smiles. At our orthodontic clinic, it’s one of the most common requests we get at the end of treatment. After straightening their teeth, our patients often seek that final touch: a cherry-on-top white smile. 

With countless options available, selecting the right whitening product can be overwhelming. We're here to simplify the process and guide you toward the best choice for your needs. Here’s what you need to know about which products work best, which work at all, which offer the best value, and which ones we recommend.

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Understanding Tooth Stains

Before recommending the best products to use, it’s essential to understand the types of tooth stains. There are two main categories: internal and external. In addition, some staining is built into the structure of the teeth and is permanent, while other types can be improved. 

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External Stains

External stains are surface-level buildups often caused by foods like coffee and tea. These stains are reversible—they can be addressed through a professional cleaning by a hygienist, and to some degree, by whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste and the dental hygienist’s rubber cleaning cup both contain tiny abrasives that remove these surface stains. 

However, those types of external stains differ from the type that occurs while teeth are forming, or from the white scars that are sometimes apparent when braces are removed from orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene. Both of these kinds of external stains are usually irreversible and require a dentist to fix. 

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Internal Stains

When most people think of teeth whitening, they actually refer to bleaching the internal structure of the teeth. Teeth are mostly made of microscopic crystals, and foods like tomatoes and curry put tiny particles between the teeth that cause yellowing and discoloration. 

Internal stains can be effectively removed with professional whitening gels containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These are the same active ingredients found in over-the-counter whitening strips, but store-bought versions may be less potent (though you’re welcome to try!). 

Finally, some teeth that have been severely stained from the inside can only be treated by a dentist. This is called internal bleaching and is often performed in conjunction with root canal treatment.

The most common situation we see is this: a patient doesn’t have habits resulting in heavy tooth staining, gets fairly regular dental cleanings, maintains adequate home hygiene, doesn’t have teeth with unique staining from birth, or has a severely internally stained tooth. This overwhelmingly common situation results in patients looking for the most common type of tooth whitening product: peroxide gels.

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Most Recommended Whitening Treatment

Let’s cut to the chase: we recommend custom-fitted whitening trays with professional-grade whitening gels to be worn at home. Here’s why: 

1. Best Value: Custom-fitted trays with professional-grade whitening gels are a one-time investment that provide a cost-effective solution. Simply put, it’s the best bang for your buck! 
2. Perfect Fit: Compared to one-size-fits-all trays that may run large and loose, or whitening strips that don’t adhere well and don’t have a way to keep the lips, gums, and saliva away from the strips, whitening trays are custom-crafted to fit snugly around your unique teeth. This ensures better contact between the whitening agent and teeth, leading to more consistent whitening results. 
3. Less Irritation: Custom whitening trays keep the gel from leaking out onto the gum tissue, reducing the risk of irritation. 

Generally, at-home professional whitening is less expensive than in-office whitening treatments but can achieve the same results when used as directed—consistently and for a sufficient amount of time.

However, it’s important to note that results can vary due to individual variations in our teeth. Bleaching may be less effective on grayish-tinted teeth, while it sometimes improves brown teeth. Yellowish teeth, on the other hand, tend to respond best with whitening treatments. 

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Whitening Treatments: Side Effects 

Any bleaching product with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide can result in temporary sensitivity. This includes over-the-counter whitening strips and professional whitening trays with professional strength gels. 

Meanwhile, external abrasives typically don’t lead to significant side effects. However, for patients with gum recession, it’s important to be cautious. Abrasives used on exposed tooth root surfaces can gradually remove tooth structure over time. 

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The Best Overall At-Home Teeth Whitening Product

The best way to whiten your teeth at home would be getting a set of custom whitening trays from your dental professional, and then ordering whitening gels through their office or from another reputable source to whiten at home. 

If you’d like to try an alternative that doesn’t fit quite as well as a professionally-fit tray, try Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects. Crest 3D Whitestrips are less intense but also widely available. Before beginning any whitening procedure, first see your dental professional. 

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‍CONTACT US

For personalized advice on the best at-home teeth whitening options, schedule a consultation at Orem Orthodontics. Our team will tailor a treatment plan to suit your unique needs and ensure optimal results. Contact us today to achieve the smile of your dreams with expert guidance