Teeth-whitening kits remove stains, but not all are convenient
Interested in getting your teeth whiter? You're not alone.
The number of teeth-bleaching procedures performed in dentists' offices has increased by more than 300 percent in the past five years, reports the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But while in-office treatment can get your teeth up to 10 shades whiter, it can also set you back as much as $800. Over-the-counter kits promise to lighten for a whole lot less - but which ones really deliver?
To find out, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute teamed up with New York City dentist Louis Siegelman and evaluated three of the latest products sold in drugstores. The results: The kits removed some degree of surface stain for most testers, leaving teeth noticeably whiter. But some of the products were easier, better tasting and more effective than others.
* Aquafresh White Trays ($35): These prefilled trays, worn 45 minutes a day for one week, ranked tops on whitening. Most of the testers said their teeth looked slightly whiter after just three days of use. Some testers found the trays messy or uncomfortable - but on average, all teeth got two shades whiter.
* Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare ($40): In two weeks, these strips lightened almost a shade, on average. And the Good Housekeeping testers liked that they needed to wear the strips for only five minutes a day. (Plus, they're gentle enough to use for maintenance.)
* Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips ($24): These strips, just arriving in stores this month, are similar to the familiar Listerine breath-freshening strips. But in this case, you wear them twice a day for two weeks. The Listerine strips do their work, then dissolve in minutes. These strips didn't whiten as vividly as the others; they whitened an average of half a shade. But they scored high for taste and received the highest product rating for comfort. In fact, this product felt best on testers' teeth and gums.
* You also might consider Crest Whitestrips Premium ($35), a product the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested in 2004. In that test, the strips lightened teeth more than three shades, on average. But you have to use them for 30 minutes twice a day for one week.
Since all the tested products whitened teeth to some degree, Good Housekeeping recommends choosing the one that seems most suitable to you - whether that means time, convenience or tooth sensitivity. For more oral-hygiene product reviews, visit www.goodhousekeeping.com.
Before beginning any whitening program, speak with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you.
Whiteners might not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish-hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth might bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth might not bleach well at all.
Likewise, bleaching might not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-color fillings in your front teeth. In these cases, you might want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.
The American Dental Association advises that when selecting a whitener, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance - assurance that the product has met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.