Jul. 14, 2025
Do you want to feel more confident when you smile or make a good first impression at that all-important job interview? The truth is, a great-looking smile can give you the edge.
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In fact, more and more people are cottoning on to the fact that a bright white smile has multiple benefits.
Numerous studies indicate that people with whiter teeth are perceived as more confident, healthy, trustworthy and successful. While other studies show a great-looking smile can improve a person’s chance of employment or even getting a date.
It’s no wonder cosmetic teeth whitening has been steadily growing in popularity, with around 41% of Brits saying they would opt for this cosmetic treatment if they could.
So, if you’re considering teeth whitening treatment, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, you’ve only got to walk into your local supermarket or pharmacy to see the plethora of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products and kits available.
And, for many of us, it may seem an easier and less expensive way of getting whiter teeth without the hassle of visiting a dentist.
However, at Foxbury Dental, we believe that professional whitening – that is, cosmetic whitening carried out under the control of your dentist – is the quickest, safest and most efficient way to a brighter, whiter smile.
Here’s why…
Potential Problems With Over-the-Counter Whitening
Burns/damage
Without dental supervision, improper application of OTC whiteners – particularly those purchased online – can damage the gums and soft tissues resulting in:
Tooth damage
A study published by the British Dental Journal found that an active ingredient found in three OTC bleaching products could, where acid is present, ‘significantly reduce the hardness of the teeth and increase the likeliness for future surface abrasions of the teeth.’
Inefficiency
The overriding problem with over-the-counter whitening kits is they’re simply not as effective as professional teeth whitening.
Here in the UK, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are legally only allowed to contain up to 0.1% bleaching agent, which, in reality, is too low a concentration to noticeably affect tooth colour.
Conversely, dentists can supply take-home whitening products containing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide.
Ultimately, professional teeth whitening – i.e. teeth whitening carried out under the supervision of a dental professional – can lighten teeth by several shades in most cases and last for several months or more, depending on the drinks and food you consume. Whereas over-the-counter whitening is not as effective and, at best, only lasts for a short time.
Your Teeth Whitening Options Explained
If you are keen on the idea of a whiter, brighter smile, it’s worth taking a closer look at the various product types available so you can make an informed choice.
Whitening toothpaste – These contain abrasives and agents that help dissolve stains and polish teeth. They may work to a certain extent, but everyone’s teeth and enamel differ. When brushing twice daily, it can take two to six weeks before any changes are noticeable in the appearance and colour of the teeth. The results depend on the type of toothpaste and the strength of the whitening ingredient, but at best, they typically lighten teeth by up to one shade.
Whitening strips – these peroxide-based strips are very popular and are applied to the teeth once or twice daily for 10-14 days. Whitening strips can be cumbersome to use and typically only whiten the front six teeth, leaving your back teeth looking dingy unless they’re capped. Unfortunately, if teeth are rotated or crooked, you may not get the desired results.
LED-whitening mouthpiece – A growing trend is LED whitening kits for at-home whitening. They feature an LED mouthpiece designed to accelerate the power of peroxide-based whitening. Like most OTC whitening kits, results can vary significantly according to the colour and condition of your teeth.
Tray-based whitening systems – with this option, the whitening gel is contained within a tray that’s a bit like a mouthguard and worn for a set period each day. Typically, over-the-counter versions come with standard trays that are a one-size-fits-all model.
Ultimately, if the trays are not snug, the gel may not make complete contact with the tooth’s surface area. In addition, there is a chance that the whitening gel may escape from the ill-fitting tray and leak onto your gums or mouth.
Conversely, dentists also supply at-home whitening trays, but there is a difference. Each tray is custom-made and, therefore, bespoke to your mouth. This means you stand a greater chance of achieving an even whitening effect. Moreover, and as already mentioned, any whitening will occur faster because the bleaching agent is typically more potent.
The Benefits of Professional Take-HomeTeeth Whitening From Foxbury Dental
Patients love the convenience of our custom take-home teeth whitening trays that put them in control of their whitening.
For this cosmetic dental treatment, patients undergo a thorough oral examination to ensure they have a healthy mouth and no signs of active gum disease, tooth decay, or plaque which can affect the outcome. Any decay or recession can complicate teeth whitening by increasing irritation or sensitivity.
Unfortunately, not everyone is suitable for teeth whitening. Our dentist may recommend an alternative treatment, such as veneers, for those with deeper (intrinsic) staining.
The company is the world’s best whitening strips free sample supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Top tip: For the best results, you should always visit your dentist for a whitening evaluation to determine the best system.
Here’s how the process works
Step 1 – First, our dentist takes digital impressions of your teeth to fabricate your custom trays. Each tray is then trimmed to fit perfectly over the teeth and gum line. They keep the gel in the trays, away from the gums, and on the teeth for the prescribed length of time.
Step 2- Once the trays are ready for collection, you’ll be shown how to fill them and given instructions on when and how long to wear them.
Step 3 – Wear as requested and wait for the results!
At-Home Whitening With Philips Zoom – The Bottom Line
Philps Zoom is more than just teeth whitening. Specially formulated gels reduce sensitivity, protect tooth enamel and improve tooth lustre.
Patients can choose from Zoom Daywhite or Nightwhite, so you get to whiten teeth your way. Both contain higher concentrations of bleaching agents than any over-the-counter whitening product in the UK.
Once custom trays are designed and made, patients get to keep them for future touch-ups.
With professional at-home whitening treatment, you can easily maintain your smile’s whiteness by calling our clinic to request additional top-up tubes. When you purchase a whitening kit from us, we’ll even throw in £100 of whitening tubes for free.
Regardless of how much you want a brighter smile, you may be resistant to book a professional whitening treatment at your dentist’s office. It’s the fastest and most effective way to see results, but it’s costly and time consuming. If you’re leaning toward an at-home whitening treatment, there’s no shortage of options available, like strips, gels, toothpastes and mouthwashes. But do they really work?
To find out, I talked to dentists, who broke down everything you need to know about whitening your teeth at home, including when (and if) you’ll see a visible difference in tooth color. Using their guidance, I rounded up the best at-home teeth whitening products to buy, many of which the NBC Select staff tested.
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Experts recommend considering the following factors while shopping for at-home teeth whitening products:
To recommend the best at-home teeth whitening products, I rounded up options that meet expert guidance. I included options with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, those NBC Select staff members have tested, NBC Select Wellness Award Winners and other highly rated treatments.
Whitening strips are essentially stickers for your upper and lower teeth that are coated with a thin layer of an active bleaching ingredient, like hydrogen peroxide. As the strips sit on your teeth, the ingredients penetrate enamel to brighten it. Whitening trays work similarly to strips, but you bite into them rather than adhere them to the front of teeth. Most trays come prefilled with whitening gel — if not, you’ll need to fill them with gel before a treatment.
While shopping you may see strips and trays that come with an LED light, which many brands advertise as being able to enhance or accelerate the whitening process. However, the dentists I talked to do not recommend using them. “Not all LED lights are created equal, and the ones included in at-home whitening kits are significantly weaker than those used in professional treatments,” says Dr. Erin Fraundorf, the founder and orthodontist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio. “Whether or not you use an LED light with your at-home whitening kit, your results will be the same.”
Crest makes some of the only ADA-approved whitening strips, which is one of many reasons why they’re beloved among our team. The strips are coated in hydrogen peroxide gel and have a non-slip grip, which helps them stay put during treatments. They’re flexible, so I can bend them around the curve of my teeth, but they’re sturdy enough that they don’t roll in on themselves when I take them off the packaging. Crest’s strips are also quite thin, so I barely feel them and can talk normally during a treatment. This box comes with enough strips for 20 45-minute treatments and two 1-hour express treatments.
NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider finds Opalescence’s whitening trays easier to apply than whitening strips — you bite into them and they mold around the shape of your teeth. “They’re so easy to pop on and off, and I find them comfortable to wear for longer periods of time,” says Schneider. Her dentist recommended these trays, which you leave on for about 30 minutes, because they’re made with a professional-grade, 10% hydrogen peroxide, minty gel. “I definitely see a difference when using these consistently — my teeth are noticeably whiter,” says Schneider. “Because they’re stronger, my teeth get a little sensitive when using them, but that’s the case with almost all whitening products for me.”
Over-the-counter whitening trays are one size fits all, which not everyone finds comfortable or effective. Instead, your dentist can make you custom trays that fit the exact shape of your mouth, and you can buy whitening gel to fill them with. “Using custom whitening trays made by your dentist can isolate where the whitening material goes,” says Fraundorf. “You can better control it to prevent it from touching your gum tissue.”
Opalescence’s whitening gel is professional-grade like its trays. Its main active ingredient is carbamide peroxide, and there’s also hydrogen peroxide in its formula. The gel is available in four concentrations, 10%, 15%, 20% and 35%, each of which has a different treatment time ranging from 30 minutes to overnight. It comes in syringes with a narrow nozzle, helping you fill your trays without causing them to overflow. The gel is available in mint and melon flavors, as well as an unflavored option.
Whitening toothpaste primarily relies on abrasives to remove surface stains from teeth, according to the ADA. All toothpaste is mildly abrasive to scrub teeth clean, but whitening toothpaste has ingredients that specifically target surface stains, like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Whitening toothpaste has a low concentration of active ingredients, making it a great option to start with if you’ve never used other teeth whitening products. It works best for surface stains and maintenance after you’ve used another form of whitening, says Messina.
Every member of our team who tested this toothpaste had the same review: it’s shockingly effective. “My coffee-stained teeth started visibly whitening in just days — so much so, my dentist thought I’d gotten a professional treatment,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. “Crest Deep Stain Remover is now my go-to, and yes, I’m buying a lifetime supply, and one for my grandma, too.” The minty toothpaste is made with hydrated silica, which dissolves the bonds that adhere stains to teeth and scrubs them off the surface, according to the brand. There’s also fluoride in its formula to protect teeth from cavities and repair enamel. The toothpaste comes in a pump dispenser, which prevents you from using too much at a time.
Sensodyne makes some of our favorite toothpastes for sensitive teeth, and this option offers additional whitening benefits. Its formula has hydrated silica to buff stains away, as well as potassium nitrate to soothe nerves for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. The toothpaste also has fluoride in it to fight cavities. “I’ve always had really sensitive teeth, especially to cold, and I’m always nervous to do whitening treatments,” says NBC senior community manager Rosalie Sparaco. “Having a toothpaste that can help my teeth feel less sensitive to cold drinks while whitening is a win-win.”
Like whitening toothpaste, whitening mouthwash has a low concentration of active ingredients, so its impact is minimal. That said, whitening mouthwash is a good option to use after a professional whitening treatment or if you’ve never whitened your teeth at home before.
ACT’s Whitening + Anticavity mouthwash uses hydrogen peroxide to brighten your teeth and fluoride to prevent cavities. It’s free-from alcohol and dyes, according to the brand, and has a mint flavor to freshen breath.
Whitening pens help you brighten teeth quickly and while on the go. They’re filled with a gel made from hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which you brush on your teeth and leave on for a specified period of time. Similar to whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, it’s best to use these pens as a maintenance tool after a stronger treatment.
Colgate’s whitening pen is filled with hydrogen peroxide gel, and its overall construction resembles lipstick. You unscrew the attached brush, dip it into the gel and apply it on your teeth. The brush is very small, so you can coat one tooth at a time and make sure you don’t miss a spot. The brand recommends applying the quick-dry gel before bed, leaving it on your teeth overnight and brushing it off in the morning.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has written about dental care for five years, including stories on electric toothbrushes, toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, kid’s toothpaste, floss and water flossers. For this article, I interviewed three experts about how to shop for at-home teeth whitening treatments. To recommend the best whitening treatments, I rounded up options that align with dentists’ guidance, including products the NBC Select staff tested.
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