Tested: 5 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
Ready to grin and bare ‘em? Pearlies are just a gum, strip or brush away.
Method
Whitening gums, $1.50 to $3.29
Trident White and Aquafresh Whitening Dental Gum
Result: lightened teeth up to one shade.
Crest Whitestrips, under $30
Five kits with trays were pitted against these flexible strips that sit directly on teeth twice a day, 30 minutes at a time, for 14 days.
Strips were tops for convenience and comfort.
Results: Came in second for whitening — an average change of three shades.
Crest Night Effects, $14.99
Testers applied this paint-on gel right before bed for 14 nights.
Although the gel felt “goopy” after application,
Results: testers’ teeth lightened two to five shades.
Colgate Simply White, $14.99
Volunteers used this brush-on gel — the first of its kind from a major brand — twice a day for 14 days.
Results: Teeth lightened one to three shades, but testers found it hard to keep their mouth open for 30 seconds postapplication (new directions say this isn’t needed).
In-office bleaching, $400 to $800 (varies by location)
At BriteSmile and Zoom! centers, a special light activates hydrogen peroxide gel applied to the teeth.
Results: Testers’ teeth whitened three to five shades — in just an hour! One tester experienced sensitivity.