A Pro’s Guide to Home Teeth Whitening in 2021: Toothpastes, Whitening Kits, and More

Imagine coming out of the muddy cocoon of quarantine as a polished, even better butterfly than before. For many, this vision was the driving force behind all sorts of cosmetic tweaks, from clandestine injections to intensified training sessions. But there is one aspect of self-improvement that is regaining attention as the masks fall off in daylight. That would be teeth whitening treatments – proof that the cultural currency of a brighter smile has long been anchored in our collective psyche.

In the 1980s, whitening treatments began in dental offices, followed by to-go kits with peroxide gels and molded splints. When television advertising was the main way to reach consumers, I remember one particularly threatening slogan: “If you don’t whiten your teeth, you stain them.” Or maybe it was, “You age them.” Either way, the message was clear: act or face the cruel consequences.

“As a rule of thumb, anything you eat that stains a white T-shirt is likely to stain your teeth,” she says Sharon Huang, DDS, a cosmetic dentist specializing in teeth whitening at the women-founded Les Belles NYC practice in New York City. She points out that black and green tea cause more stains than coffee and suggests drinking juices from a glass straw – and then rinsing them off with water immediately. Brushing is a good first line of defense (Huang tells patients to wait half an hour after eating an acidic meal or drink before scrubbing the weakened enamel). But when it comes to teeth whitening, she advises professional advice. “No two teeth are alike,” she says. “Do you have thick or thin enamel? Thick enamel usually leads to the best whitening results, while thin enamel can present some challenges. Are your teeth translucent? Whitening translucent teeth can be difficult in some cases and cause a graying effect. ”I remember a high school friend who used pure hydrogen peroxide (something dentists ask dentists never to try) as an alternative to bleaching – her teeth finally turned a glassy color of evergreen.

With so many advice-free kits available by next day delivery, it is clear that user error is possible. Earlier this month during his late night segment “A Closer Look” Seth Meyers landed a certain burn on Rudy Giuliani, accused him of “only using the upper stripe of the coat of arms”. And while a consistent color is an obvious goal, there is no clear measure of proper white. According to Los Angeles, no hue is unnatural when you’re working with a born-with-it set Kevin Sands, DDS “Unnaturally white-looking teeth were usually restored with porcelain in a shade whiter than natural tooth enamel,” explains the dentist whose patient list belongs to him Lizzo and Drake. (Sands poses with grinning megastars in his lab coat on Instagram, although some understandably look like they’d rather stay anonymous.) The most popular in-office treatment at his practice is Philips Zoom Whitening, which uses a painless, non-invasive procedure Laser to lighten the enamel by up to eight shades in a single session. “If you have 24 hours, it’s the fastest and best way to get big results in a short amount of time,” says Sands. At home he supports the use of Crest White strips along with the Sonicare DiamondClean (“the holy grail of toothbrushes”). Huang similarly recommends a dual approach with office sessions and take-away kits for “the safest, fastest, most predictable results with the least sensitivity,” she adds.

However, getting started with teeth whitening at home can be worthwhile, according to the two dentists. This round-up includes targeted whitening kits and specialized floss; Toothpastes are available that help remove stains and remineralize teeth. (Huang finds formulas useful in conjunction with peroxide treatments that are believed to cause mild demineralization and thereby make teeth more sensitive. To minimize further sensitivity, she suggests avoiding UV light kits, which are a ” Chalk white “can result in color.”) There is also an example of low-tech Ayurvedic wisdom: “Pulling coconut oil is a great, clean way to keep your teeth naturally clean and white,” Huang says of that Vitamin-rich pantry ingredient that is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. and can help fight plaque and gingivitis. For a brighter smile this summer, there are a number of whitening options to consider.

Toothpastes & Gels

Intelliwhite Power Boost whitening gel and toothpaste set

Designed by Jennifer Jablow, DDS, a dentist whose high profile patients include Ashley Graham, Intelliwhite’s gel is formulated to remove stains without causing sensitivity, with hydrogen peroxide in addition to ingredients that “help create a favorable pH for remineralization,” says Huang. Toothpaste “uses xylitol, an effective anti-caries agent,” she adds to its anti-bacterial effect.

Hello Sensitivity Relief + Whitening Soothing mint fluoride toothpaste

For those opting for teeth whitening, it is worth using a toothpaste that is designed to help ease the discomfort that may arise after a strong peroxide session. Hello’s version contains active ingredients such as potassium nitrate, which Huang says is “effective in treating tooth sensitivity,” and sodium fluoride, a well-known anti-tooth decay agent.

Ojook toothpaste with nHA + bamboo salt

Remineralizing teeth after whitening is not only good for sensitivity, but also prolongs the shiny, whitening effect of a treatment. The nHA (nano-hydroxyapatite) in Ojook toothpaste bonds with the teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and restore mineral density. As a bonus, the aluminum tube is recyclable.

Kits & Strips

Bite Whitening Gel teeth whitening kit

As a plastic-free option (a rare find in the world of teeth whitening), Bites Gel is safe for sensitive teeth too. “I like this product,” says Huang. “The formula uses a vegan carbamide peroxide formula with aloe vera, which soothes teeth and gums, and sodium hydroxide, which controls pH.”

Active Wow 24K White teeth whitening kit

Aside from the carbamide peroxide formula, which is effective for teeth whitening, Huang appreciates the format of the Active Wow kit. “It has a good delivery system [with the] thermoformed mouth cups to hold the material, ”she notes. Since LED-reinforced systems can dry out teeth, a remineralizing addition (like the Ojook paste above) would be a helpful addition.

Revive Light Therapy DPL Oral Care

The non-UV blue light in Revive’s device can increase the effectiveness of whitening gels and strips. While Huang doesn’t like most light-based teeth whitening systems, she points out that Revive’s infrared and red light can benefit gums. “This product uses red light energy to promote blood circulation,” she says, and “some experts believe it helps cells repair themselves.” She believes it is “a good addition to daily oral health habits like brushing teeth.” , Flossing and routine professional cleanings ”.

Oil fortified remedies

Poppy and Someday Cardamom Pulling Oil

This cardamom-enriched drawing oil contains a gently flavored mixture of coconut and sesame oil in a user-friendly liquid form. “The practice of oil pulling goes back to India and traditional Ayurvedic medicine,” says Huang. “It’s easy – just wipe for 20 minutes a day. If you’re new to drawing, work your way up to 20 minutes by starting with five-minute increments. “

Burst coconut whitening strips

Huang is already a fan of Burst Oral Care’s coconut whitening strips. “They’re simple and easy to use, and I’ve seen patients get good results with them at home,” she says, adding that the hydrogen peroxide concentration of 6% an effective lightening boost for a quick 15-minute treatment.

Oral Essentials Lumineux certified non-toxic whitening strips

For a peroxide-free option, Huang recommends Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips from Oral Essentials. Developed by a team of dentists, the formula is based on coconut oil, aloe and xylitol and has the same whitening potential as leading strips, with a gentler effect on teeth and gums.

Brushes & floss

Marashi Oral Health M sonic toothbrush

Jon Marashi, DDS, whose patient base includes more than a few Oscar winners, is behind this cult favorite sonic toothbrush. “The M Sonic uses the softest Dupont nylon bristles available on the market,” he says, explaining that they “conform better to the tooth surface, resulting in greater effectiveness in cleaning microscopic debris and stains from the enamel surface “. The intended result: a sparkling clean smile.

Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro toothbrush

Brushing is very easy. “Abrasive brushes will peel off the enamel and cause receding gums,” says Huang, who recommends the hydrosonic version of Curaprox. “It’s a good, soft brush head, and I like the compact design.”

Spotlight Oral Care floss for teeth whitening

Spotlight Oral Care’s floss is made from recycled plastic and has another interesting detail built into the logic. Huang points out that it is “dipped in hydrogen peroxide for effective teeth whitening.”

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