Body

7 At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments for a Megawatt Smile

Dentists dish on the whitening DIYs that work just as well as their in-office treatments

by Amanda Montell | COMMENT

PHOTO 0/8

Yellow teeth? Not so much fun to look at -- especially when you're staring into a mirror. A trip to the dentist is also low on most people's list of enjoyable activities. But achieving a movie star white smile is near the top. After all, research indicates that 96 percent of adults believe white teeth are vital to a person's appearance. Luckily, you don't need a session in your dentist's chair to learn how to whiten teeth. Pro-level teeth whitening is something you can take care of at home.

Most yellowing and stains come from years of drinking coffee, tea, red wine, cold-pressed juice and other fun (though highly discoloring) food items. "When patients come in for teeth bleaching, a lot of the time I recommend at-home teeth-whitening treatments first," says New York City dentist Dr. Andrew Deutch, DDS. "It is only the deepest, most stubborn stains [those that have penetrated the inner structure of the tooth] that require in-office treatments."

Here's how they work: Dentists use carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide or laser whitening to penetrate tooth enamel and break up the molecules that stain teeth. (Note: These ingredients do not wear away at enamel -- they simply release discolored molecules from pores in the enamel). The best at-home teeth whitening treatments use lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to achieve the same effect -- for a fraction of the price. The main difference is that pro treatments are stronger, and thus work faster. "That means you'll see results more quickly and you ... can avoid the irritation issues that [sometimes] come with over-the-counter products," explains Dr. Michael Gulizio, DDS, of Core Smiles in New York City.

At-home teeth whitening is a billion-dollar industry, so it's easy to get lost. But the following DIY teeth whitening treatments are effective and dentist-approved. Keep the coffee to a minimum, and these will work as well the pros.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Whitening Toothpaste and Toothbrushes for Everyday

EDITORS' BEST OF