12 Best Ways to Whiten Teeth at Home

Does teeth whitening really work?

Yes! There are many ways to whiten your teeth including at the dentist and at home. But you may be wondering: how does teeth whitening actually work?

Bleaching procedures include light-activated whitening sessions at a dentist’s office, strips, and trays. This type of whitening actually changes your natural tooth color by five to seven shades.

The bleaching removes both deep and surface stains. Most bleaching products like Crest White Strips contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

Non-bleaching methods such as whitening toothpaste work in a different way. Whitening toothpastes contain polishing agents in their formulas. While you brush, the polishing agents scrub off the surface stains, which whitens them, but doesn’t actually change the color of your teeth.

What’s the best way to whiten your teeth? How can you make your teeth whiter?

The best way is to do a bleaching procedure and then follow up by using whitening toothpaste. By just using whitening toothpaste, you’re only removing the surface stains rather than actually lightening the natural color of your teeth.

What are the best teeth whitening strips?

The Crest 3D Luxe Whitestrips are the best teeth whitening strips out there. Crest 3D Luxe Whitestrips are guaranteed to whiten your teeth quickly and safely. Crest claims that Crest Whitestrips will remove 10 years of tough, set-in stains and whiten teeth 25x better than any leading whitening toothpaste.

Crest Advanced Seal Technology will hold the strips in place throughout the duration of the treatment, allowing you to talk and even drink water while whitening. Additionally, Crest Whitestrips are one of the only whitening remedies that do not require using a thermoform tray.

For just 30 minutes a day, Crest Whitestrips will begin to brighten your smile in as little as three days. At just under $30 for a box of 28 strips (14 treatments with upper and lower), this is a great price for the best whitening strips on the market.

What is the best teeth whitening toothpaste?

The Supersmile Whitening Toothpaste is the best. This one is great for sensitive teeth, as it is specially formulated to be gentle while still giving you the whitening results you want. It also helps to strengthen your teeth and kills the germs that cause bad breath.

Supersmile’s Whitening Toothpaste and Accelerator Paste have been referred to as the dynamic duo of teeth whitening tools. Infused with calproxa, fluoride, and baking soda, Supersmile is a power washing system that will lift stains and restore your white smile in no time.

Although it may take a week or two to see results, some reviewers report experiencing results after just one use. However, for a product that’s easy on sensitive teeth, Supersmile works much quicker than competitor products with similarly gentle formulas.

How long does it take to whiten your teeth?

This answer really depends on the whitening process you choose. If you go to a dentist and get them professionally whitened, it may only take a few hours.

However, if you’re using an at-home treatment such as Crest Whitestrips it can take 1-2 weeks. The good news is, Crest Whitestrips claim that you’ll see noticeable results within three days. If you decide to go the more natural route such as using Coconut Oil pulling, it may take longer than a couple of weeks.

What is the best professional at-home teeth whitening kit?

The Optimized 30cc Teeth Whitening Gel Syringe Kit is the best. It’s essentially the same system used by dentists at a much lower price. Advertised as 44% of the strongest strength whitener available, this product is known for its ability to produce instant results.

This kit comes with three syringes and two thermoform trays. As a bonus, it includes a whitening shade guide. The active ingredient in the Optimized formula is 44% of carbamide peroxide. This means this is a heavy-duty teeth whitener, so it’s not meant for individuals with dental sensitivities. Expect some tooth sensitivity and gum soreness with this product.

How can you naturally whiten your teeth?

There are a couple of different ways to naturally whiten your teeth at home.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice: There are a few different options to whitening your teeth. The first is with baking soda and lemon juice.

Take half a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with a teaspoon of lemon. Dip your toothbrush in it and brush the surface of your teeth for a minute or two. This may hurt your gums at first but it’s a natural way to help get whiter teeth.

Coconut Oil: You can also naturally whiten your teeth with a coconut oil rinse. Also known as “coconut oil pulling,” rinsing your mouth with coconut oil can be a whitening solution.

Before you brush your teeth in the morning, put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push, swirl and “pull” the oil around your teeth for 10-15 minutes. Spit out the oil, rinse with water, and brush your teeth as usual.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on your toothbrush along with your regular toothpaste – or mix with water and use as a natural mouthwash.

Or, dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide and gently brush your teeth. You can also put some on a cotton ball and swab on your teeth for a minute or so before brushing.

Can apple cider vinegar whiten teeth?

Yes! Apple cider vinegar is another great organic way to whiten your teeth. Not only that, but apple cider vinegar is known for improving the health of your mouth by killing bad bacteria and instead encouraging healthy bacteria.

Here’s how it works: apple cider vinegar comes from apples and plain water and contains about 5% acidity. The acid essentially removes plaque and stains.

To safely use apple cider vinegar for all-natural tooth whitening, the key is to dilute and use sparingly. Create a rinse of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts water, and gently swish around your mouth for about one minute.

Apple cider vinegar as a whitening rinse won’t give you instant results or an immediately whiter smile. However, consistent use over time making sure to dilute to avoid enamel erosion, can eventually lead to whiter teeth.

Can salt be used to whiten teeth?

Surprisingly, yes. Although it sounds crazy, salt can actually do a lot to improve the overall health of your mouth. Some of the elements contained in salt include silicon, calcium, magnesium, iron and nickel.

These nutrients strengthen gums and can whiten your teeth over time.

One way is to dip your wet toothbrush directly into a half-teaspoon of salt. Or, you can swish a saltwater solution.

To do this, mix a half-teaspoon of sea salt with four ounces of warm water. Let the salt dissolve, and then swish the solution around in your mouth for 30 seconds.

Be sure to spit and not swallow when done. A saltwater rinse helps calm inflamed gums. It can also rinse away bacteria in your mouth.

Do teeth whitening pens work?

Yes (and they’re great for travel). According to Colgate, teeth whitening pens are thin, plastic tubes that contain a whitening gel and are small enough to place inside almost anything.

The main ingredient inside teeth whitening pens is hydrogen peroxide. Most whitening pens on the market today are hydrogen peroxide-based, which produces maximum whitening significantly faster than carbamide peroxide.

The benefit to using a teeth-whitening pen is no time in the dental office is required to whiten your teeth. And, no trays or strips are necessary. You have a pen loaded with whitening gel at home, at the office, or anywhere.

All you do is click the pen to release the gel onto the tip. Then you simply “brush” your teeth with gel.

Does whitening mouthwash work?

Whitening mouthwashes do work to an extent. However, it isn’t the most effective whitening option and many still doubt the whitening capabilities.

Whitening mouthwashes were created to whiten the areas where toothpaste or strips cannot reach.

Whitening mouthwash works similarly to whitening strips. They are essentially hydrogen peroxide diluted by 50 percent (or more) of water. This formula can help whiten your teeth with repeated use.

Are there negative side effects to whitening your teeth?

Unfortunately, yes there are negative side effects to whitening your teeth. However, if you’re careful, most are temporary.

The bleaching can cause some unwanted temporary side effects. You may experience gum irritation, which might make them red and inflamed. However, this only lasts a few hours or days after use. You may also experience some tooth sensitivity to anything hot or cold. But again, this most likely will only last a few days.

The bleaching can also cause some unwanted long-term side effects. In some cases, permanent nerve damage and sensitivity can occur. Also, too much bleaching can cause your teeth to become translucent as enamel wears away.