Teeth Whitening?

In stores what is the best product on the market for Teeth Whitening ?
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Home teeth-whitening kits If you're looking to spend less money and don't mind some inconvenience, over-the-counter tooth-whitening kits are a safe alternative if they're used according to directions. (Some dental experts have pointed out that consumers tend to overuse teeth whitening products, thus it's always best to consult your dentist.) Crest Whitestrips (*est. $25) come in as far better than other tooth-whitening options in most reviews, even when compared to the pricier Crest Whitestrips Premium (*est. $35) . Note, too, that the original product is now sometimes referred to as Crest Whitestrips Classic. Experts say Crest Whitestrips are convenient and effective, with average whitening of about three shades. You wear these Band-Aid-like strips, which contain 6% peroxide gel, for 30 minutes twice a day for two weeks. Results can last up to six months. Both testers and consumers say they noticed whiter teeth after only a few days of use, and contributors to Amazon.com are full of praise for Crest Whitestrips, saying they're definitely worth the money. However, testers from The Wall Street Journal found only a half-shade improvement and didn't like how much the strips made them drool. We didn't find any reviews of a newer version of Crest Whitestrips with 14% peroxide (*est. $50 to $100) that is available only through dentists. If you don't have time to sit and wait for a strip to do its work, you can whiten at night while you sleep. Colgate Simply White Night (*est. $15) is a paint-on liquid tooth-whitener that you wear overnight for two weeks. The tiny brush can fit into small places between uneven teeth that might be unreachable by a strip. Results can last up to six months. Some testers say they didn't like having to keep their mouth open while the paint-on liquid dried, but according to the manufacturer, drying is no longer necessary. If you prefer daytime use, but like the idea of a brush versus a strip, Colgate's Simply White (*est. $10) is designed to be applied twice a day for two weeks. The teeth-whitening gel is completely absorbed so you don't have to worry about rinsing. When it comes of over-the-counter whitening products, experts and testers prefer teeth-whitening strips and paint-on whiteners to over-the-counter mouth-tray whiteners. Since the mouth trays are one-size-fits-all, the trays can be ill fitting. Two reviewers found Ultra Plus+White (*est. $12) to be ineffective and note that the foam mouth tray is extremely uncomfortable, even causing a sore throat in multiple testers. Another novelty to hit the market is tooth-whitening gum. Trident White (*est. $1.50/per pack) doesn't contain peroxide, but it does have a "patented technology" that supposedly breaks up surface stains. To see an effect, you need to chew two pieces for at least twenty minutes four times a day -- not a problem if you're a habitual gum chewer. But if you're just looking for a way to whiten your teeth, you're better off picking a more convenient option. Testers at Good Housekeeping do claim to see one shade of improvement after chewing whitening gum for six weeks. However, this is a good place to point out that some studies have found a large placebo effect with tooth whiteners, noting that people given a sham "whitener" claim to see an improvement. Plus, a product containing peroxide can produce a better result in only two weeks. We checked Amazon.com and Epinions to find out what consumers have to say about over-the-counter tooth whitening methods. Crest Whitestrips wins the best comments for convenience and effectiveness. The most common complaints for all tooth-whitening products are sensitivity (which goes away after stopping product use) and "goopy" or bad-tasting gels. Important Features: Teeth-whitening products Experts say to remember the following when choosing a tooth whitener: * The ADA recommends discussing the options with your dentist and choosing a dentist-supervised whitening plan. * Bleaching effectiveness is directly related to percent of peroxide and length of time it's in contact with your teeth. Over-the-counter tooth whitening products generally contain no more than 6% peroxide. Professional teeth whitening processes can use up to 43% peroxide. * Bleaching works best for yellow teeth, not as well for gray teeth. * Crowns, fillings and dental veneers aren't affected by lightening products -- something to keep in mind if you have a prominent crown or bridge. * Some experts say pregnant women should avoid tooth whiteners. While there are no specific studies to suggest there's a risk to the fetus, some dentists note that minor complications, such as swallowing a small amount of the chemicals, might be a concern to fetal development. While some experts insist that bleaching is safe for everyone, other say pregnant women are better off waiting until after they've given birth. Baby boomers have become a huge market for teeth whiteners because teeth yellow naturally as we age. The effect can be exacerbated by smoking, as well as by drinking coffee, tea and red wine. The most effective teeth-whitening agents use peroxide (hydrogen or carbamide) to bleach the deep layers of teeth, where toothpastes can't reach. The whitening process usually requires daily application for up to two weeks, but light therapy can be used in the dentist's office along with peroxide to speed things up, shortening the bleaching process to as little as one hour. Experts say bleaching works best for yellow stains, and that gray teeth, which can result from certain antibiotics, are much harder to whiten. A recent fear that the peroxide used in tooth whiteners is linked to oral cancer has been refuted by research, and experts say there's no danger as long as tooth whiteners are used as directed. Teeth whitening can cause tooth and gum sensitivity, but experts say this is a normal side effect that disappears after treatment ends. Many of the reviewers represented in our All Reviews chart test one sample from each of the different types of teeth-whitening kits and services and then determine which method produces the greatest effect with the least inconvenience. We also looked to research abstracts presented at the annual General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, where dental scientists tested specific whitening products (primarily Crest and Colgate) against each other. The manufacturers sponsored some of these studies. In those cases, we found it interesting that the study result almost always favored the manufacturer funding the study. However, the findings did show that the effectiveness of tooth-whitening products depends largely on the percentage of peroxide in the product combined with the length of time the product is in contact with teeth, which is the same conclusion drawn by other experts and reviewers.
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