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There are hundreds of at-home teeth whitening brands, kits, and products—many of which are touted by celebrities and Instagram influencers as all-natural or “accelerated” teeth whitening solutions. But how can you decipher between sponcon junk and the really best teeth whitening products?
When we talked to Dr. Emanuel Laylievtop cosmetic dentist in New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Manhattan, we got the lowdown on all things teeth whitening.
Unlike the millions of oral care products currently on the market that claim to give you a brighter, whiter smile, in reality, there are only a handful of standard products that you can buy to achieve professional results at an affordable price in home.
So for your convenience, we’ve put it all together below.
The most popular at-home teeth whitening method is also the most effective, according to Dr. Layliev, who highly recommends using Crest Whitestrips. When it comes to whitening, it’s all about contact time and Whitestrips can stay on the teeth for effective teeth whitening.
While whitening pens won’t give you an effective initial whitening, they work extremely well for on-the-go touch-ups. This pack from Zoom — the company most dental offices use for professional whitening procedures — includes two convenient pens for easy maintenance.
Whether you choose to whiten professionally or opt for an at-home method, it’s also helpful to add a teeth whitening toothpaste to your routine. Colgate’s Optic White Advanced Teeth Whitening Toothpaste “whitens teeth up to 4 shades”, is safe for enamel and contains fluoride to fight cavities.
Another whitening toothpaste that Laylieve recommends is Crest’s 3D White Brilliance, a mint-flavored toothpaste with 12-hour stain protection that removes up to 95% of surface stains in 3 days and will give you, as one satisfied customer put it, “teeth of cinema. “
This alcohol-free, dentist-approved mouthwash fights bad breath and keeps teeth healthy while maintaining their bright, shiny shade. (It’s also my mouthwash brand of choice).
If you really want to step up your teeth whitening game, Supersmile Accelerator is a highly recommended product to add to your routine, and one Layliev even uses himself. Accelerator is abrasive enough to neutralize those coffee or wine stains and clean them effectively. Just mix some of it with whatever toothpaste you use at home once or twice a day and it will keep stains at bay.
Whether you get professional whitening or opt for the at-home method, your teeth can feel sensitive afterwards. If you’re concerned about sensitivity, Layliev recommends using Colgate’s sensitive toothpaste, which is clinically proven to provide 24/7 protection (with twice-daily brushing) two weeks before your scheduled whitening.
This alcohol-free Listerine mouthwash will also provide round-the-clock relief and keep sensitivity at bay.
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