UK 
US 
DE 
There are many ways to look after your smile. One of your options is teeth whitening, which is a great way to build your self-confidence.
The foods we eat, the things we drink and our habits, like smoking, change our teeth. Yellow staining is common, especially as we age and our enamel starts to wear down. If your teeth are discoloured, you can make them whiter using a teeth whitening kit.
What are your teeth whitening options?
There are many options, including:
- Teeth whitening pens
- Kits with trays and gels
- Whitening rinses and toothpastes
Using teeth whitening equipment, you can remove the staining that builds up through day-to-day life.
Whitening kits with trays and gels are the strongest home whitening treatments. Below this are strips, which are roughly a third of the strength. Finally, whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes or rinses, which you should use as part of your daily routine. These bring minimal results but are only intended to replace your usual dental products.
Where can you get your teeth whitened?
Dentists can provide a teeth whitening service. This professional service often brings the best results, with stronger products than you can use elsewhere.
But, you don't need to visit your dentist.
There are now many home teeth whitening kits, for a DIY treatment. Buy these from reputable sources, as there can be kits on the market that could put your pearly whites at risk. You might also find that some DIY teeth whitening kits don't make the difference you'd hoped for.
How can you find a good home tooth whitening treatment?
Look for treatments from brands that you know and trust. Buy from reputable companies, and look for good reviews from past buyers.
We've written an extensive review of Snow's whitening product. They're based in the US, but offer delivery to the UK and most people find them very effective, although a little expensive.
Colgate offers a very affordable home teeth whitening kit, with an easy to use whitening pen.
Another popular choice is the MySmile Teeth Whitening Kit, which works using gels and trays.
Wisdom, meanwhile, provides teeth whitening strips that say they'll bring results in 7 days.
If you're getting clear dental aligners, some providers also offer home teeth whitening treatments. These are great ways to boost your new, straighter smile. Home whitening kits may be included in the price of your aligners or could be available to buy as an addition.
How successful will home teeth whitening be?
If you're expecting perfect white teeth, you may be disappointed. But, teeth whitening should brighten your teeth by several shades. Results will vary and will depend on the type of teeth whitening kit. You’ll get the best results by visiting your dentist, with limited results from whitening toothpastes and pens.
If your teeth are already quite yellow, they may still look a little yellow after treatment. But, they should look better than they did before treatment first started.
For people with less staining, the teeth may return to being almost completely white.
The final look of your whitened teeth will depend on their colour at the start.
You can use a shade guide, provided in most kits, to measure the results as they progress.
