A Comparison of the Most Popular Teeth Whitening Systems: Worst to Best
By: Taylor DiGiro
Everyone wants to look their best, and the definition of looking their best greatly varies for each individual. For many, it means buying a new wardrobe to show off their style, for others it may be getting a new haircut, and it may even be having a whiter smile from using the best teeth whitening method. Teeth whitening products have become immensely popular in recent years due to the necessity for proper dental hygiene. You often have to brush your teeth before whitening them, which helps to improve dental hygiene. Teeth can be stained by everyday items like wine, coffee, tobacco, vinegar, and even various berries. Even genetic factors can cause teeth to be subject to yellowing. There are several options when it comes to teeth whitening methods. Some examples of these are whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, professional whitening at the dentist, and popular at home whitening systems like Snow Teeth Whitening, Hi Smile, and Glo Science. This article will dive into the features of each method of whitening, worst to best based on several factors such as affordability, difficulty of use, sensitivity, and quickness of visible results.
Whitening Toothpaste
Affordability: At an average cost of $5 a tube, this is by far the most affordable method of teeth whitening.
Ease of Use: Whitening toothpaste is by far the easiest method of teeth whitening. This method does not require any extra time out of your everyday routine. You simply switch out your toothpaste for a whitening version and use it for your daily teeth brushing.
Wears Down Tooth Enamel: Whitening toothpaste can wear down tooth enamel over time if used too often. Since the main active ingredients in whitening toothpaste are abrasives, they can do more damage than good to the enamel than intended if a person often brushes their teeth more than twice a day.
No Sensitivity: Since toothpastes do not stay on the teeth for long, they rarely cause any sensitivity compared to other methods of teeth whitening.
Slow Results: Due to the small amount of time that the toothpaste remains on the teeth, results can take a long time before they are visible.
White Strips
Affordability: At a small fraction of the average cost of a professional whitening treatment, white strips are one of the most affordable ways to maintain a white smile. A box of strips can range anywhere from $20 to $60. Compare that to upwards of $400 per treatment at a dental office.
Ease of Use: White strips are extremely self explanatory. The instructions are listed on the box and can be applied in under a minute. They are essentially stickers that whiten your teeth. Sounds fun to me! Like most teeth whitening methods, it is recommended to brush your pearly whites before application.
Uneven Whitening: If you have crooked or cramped teeth, white strips are probably not the best option for you. Customers that have used teeth whitening strips, and do not have a perfect smile, have often complained about uneven whitening. Since white strips come in a long skinny piece it is hard to make them form to different shaped teeth, which often results in uneven whitening of the teeth.
Sensitivity: White strips are known for causing sensitivity. They are an older technology that uses chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, and other bleaching chemicals that cause sensitivity on teeth and gums.
Slow Results: A normal box of white strips comes with a pack of twenty applications. Unfortunately, it usually takes an entire box or two to see the results from all of those thirty minute sessions.
Glo Science
Affordability: Glo Science is affordable, right under the $200 mark. This is a great price for white teeth.
Ease of Use: Glo Science is relatively easy to use which is great. But, Glo Science uses small vials that hold the teeth whitening serum which can get lost, making it difficult to whiten your teeth.
Wearing the Device: Glo Science requires to wear a lanyard around your neck to whiten your teeth, which can get uncomfortable.
Sensitivity: Glo Science does not provide a desensitizing serum which leaves people to deal with the results as they affect them. The sensitivity resulting from teeth whitening with Glo Science will vary from person to person.
Results: Short application times can mean slow results.
Hi Smile
Affordability: Hi Smile is one of the most affordable teeth whitening kits that uses a light. The light will help to activate the teeth whitening serum for quicker results.
Hard to Use: This teeth whitening method requires the user to put the whitening serum into the mouth piece before placing it on to the teeth. By having to do this, the teeth whitening serum will often get onto the gums and tongue rather than just the teeth.
Hands Free: Hi Smile does have a completely hands free device which allows you to do as you wish while you whiten.
Sensitivity: Placing the whitening serum into the mouthpiece leaves the serum to getting onto the gums as well as the teeth. When the serum gets onto the gum line, it usually causes sensitivity.
Results: The light activation will help to push results quickly but without a maximum strength serum it may not be noticeable as quick as you would like.
Professional Whitening at the Dentist
Not Affordable: Professional whitening at a dentist’s office tends to be very expensive. With an average of $400 per treatment, depending on how many treatments are needed, this method of whitening can get very pricey.
Easy to Use: This method of whitening is super easy to use. Mainly because someone else is doing it for you. Only certified dentists and other oral doctors are allowed to perform this method of whitening on patients.
Confidence: One of the biggest pros to having your teeth professionally whitened is knowing that nothing is going wrong. You have the confidence that your doctors know how to safely whiten your teeth and that you will not have to worry about making a mistake.
Occasional Sensitivity: Due to the fact that this method is being performed by a doctor, the sensitivity results will be vary from person to person. If your teeth are prone to sensitivity this method may cause it to flare.
Instant Results: One of the biggest benefits of a professional teeth whitening service is instant results. After a one hour treatment you will definitely be able to see whiter teeth.
Snow Teeth Whitening
Affordable: Snow teeth whitening is definitely the best bang for the buck. It is more expensive than white strips but a fraction of the price of professional whitening at a dentist’s office and has a five year warranty to make sure you love it.
Easy to Use: Snow teeth whitening is super easy to use. An instructions booklet is provided as well. You simply apply the whitening serum to your teeth and use the light to activate the serum to whiten. Best of all, it only takes ten minutes.
Plugs into Phone: Snow Teeth Whitening includes an LED light that helps to activate the whitening serum. The mouthpiece has a cord that can plug directly into your phone or laptop, leaving you free to scroll through social media or return texts as you whiten.
Fights Stubborn Stains: Light activated teeth whitening systems are very successful in whitening teeth on customers with deep stains, such as teeth that have been stained by tetracyclines or teeth with deep gray or brown hues.
No Sensitivity: The best teeth whitening kits cause no sensitivity. Snow uses a pen like serum wand that you use to paint the serum onto your teeth so that no serum ends up on your gums. If you like to paint outside the lines, a desensitizing serum is provided just in case.
Fast Results: This teeth whitening system is also great for last minute pearly whites. They include a maximum strength whitening serum wand that is great if you need white teeth for the weekend.
All teeth whitening methods will work differently for different people. Some people have sensitive teeth, others may be able to eat all the ice cream they want without any side effects. Each method of teeth whitening has a targeted audience that it is designed for and will ultimately work the best for. Teeth Whitening is safe when done correctly. Make sure that no harsh chemicals are being used in any method of whitening that you use and that the whitening method is FDA approved for safety.
Having white teeth has proven to enhance more than just your appearance. It can boost your confidence and self-esteem, it has even proven to help increase mental health. When your teeth are white, you look good, which makes you feel good, and you begin to treat your body right! Teeth Whitening can also instantly improve your mood, and attract attention from a potential spouse.
We hope that this article highlighted some of the pros and cons of each teeth whitening method to help you find your perfect fit. Be sure to try your favorite teeth whitening method for an amazing white smile!
