Almost every one of us at least once in our lives looked at our teeth in the mirror and thought about how to lighten the enamel a little. However, the whitening procedure is fanned by so many different myths and tales that you involuntarily begin to doubt — is it necessary?
In this article, we will try to lift the veil of secrecy a little and, using specific examples, understand such a complex and multifaceted issue.
The principle of home whitening
The process of home whitening is simple: the active substance oxidizes organic pigments, they become discolored and the teeth automatically lighten.
The most modern means for such enamel lightening, whether it be systems with Led lamps, strips or pencils, have not used hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient for a long time, due to its potential negative effect on enamel. If you choose a product that is really based on modern technologies, then look for carbamide peroxide in the composition (according to the law of the Russian Federation, the concentration of this substance cannot exceed 18%).
Features and Benefits
Gel based on carbamide peroxide interacts with organic matter. Those. the enamel of your tooth is «not edible» for him. For this reason, you should not be afraid of damage. Organic refers to the pigment that accumulates on the teeth over time. You eat, drink, smoke, and inevitably plaque forms on your teeth. Over time, it transforms into tartar, but its colored microparticles cling to the enamel, penetrate into the pores and make it darker.
Home whitening is aimed precisely at brightening such a pigment and bringing the teeth back to their original state. That is, you can expect that after one course you will have a snow-white porcelain smile only if you have very light enamel by nature, which has darkened over time.
Most people’s teeth have a yellow or gray tint that gets darker over time. Home whitening is a fairly cost-effective, safe and working way to bring enamel back to its natural state.
The most important thing to know about this type of bleaching is that it occurs on the surface of the tooth. At this time, the technology is such that not a single whitening gel based on carbamide peroxide is able to penetrate into the dentin. If the manufacturer of any home whitening kit promises you such a thing, he is shamelessly lying in order to stand out from the competition.
In addition, it is good when in the set, in addition to the whitening gel, there is also a remineralizing gel. It fills the pores freed from the organic pigment and enamel microcracks, strengthens the teeth, fixes the result of lightening and allows it to be prolonged.
From theory to practice: teeth whitening on specific examples
With all that said, let’s take a look at a few popular home teeth whitening systems in the mid-range price range.
5. My brilliant smile — Home teeth whitening kit
This set has different information on different marketplaces. Somewhere it is said that you can whiten your teeth up to 12 tones per course, somewhere they promise a result up to 18 tones. Therefore, you can understand where the truth is only by asking questions directly to the manufacturer.
In general, the promise of such a result is more like a fantasy, since even the well-known Bleach Scale (the scale that professionals use to determine the color tone of a tooth) displays 20 tones. Those. the manufacturer promises to give you a snow-white porcelain smile in one course (12-14 days). Such a bold statement involuntarily raises questions.
In the set you will find 3 pencil-applicators of 2 ml. with whitening gel, a wired Led cap for activation and a scale with which you can measure the result.
The active substance here, like all the representatives we have chosen, is Carbamide Peroxide, which makes the sessions safe for the teeth.
Advantages:
- Carbamide peroxide as an asset;
- Ease of use;
- The presence of a scale of shades.
Disadvantages:
- Exaggerated promises;
- Lack of remineralization;
- Lack of certification or patent information;
- A small amount of consumables (6 ml.) And there is no way to buy them;
- An outdated cap model with low-power LEDs;
- No extra whitening strips;
- Production — China.
My brilliant smile
4. Take a Smile and Small-set by On White — Large and small sets for home teeth whitening
Let’s consider these two sets together as they are identical except for the presence of whitening strips in a large set.
Here, the manufacturer does not promise an instant effect and provides quite realistic data on the result. For a course, you can achieve whitening up to 8 tones. Both sets have two patterns of use — for normal and sensitive enamel. You will spend much less time on teeth whitening: 5-10 days if you use a large set, and 3-5 days if you use a small set.
In both sets you will find a wired Led tray, a tube with activator gel (10 ml) for the fastest result, a tube with whitening gel (15 ml), and in a large set, as we wrote above, there are also 5 sachets with whitening strips, which is not in the other sets under consideration.
By the way, this is a very good solution. The strips can serve as additional whitening during the course, insure you if you have broken the white diet or prolong the effect of lightening if you use them a month or two after the course, when you begin to notice a regression of color.
Choose a home whitening kit by good price directly from the manufacturer!
Advantages:
- Carbamide peroxide as an active in both gel and strips;
- The presence of a safety net in the form of whitening strips (5 pcs.);
- Two schemes of use for teeth of different sensitivity;
- Large volume of consumables (10 ml. + 15 ml.);
- Patented technology (patent No. 2697401);
- The products are certified, the manufacturer demonstrates the documentation;
- Approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation Research Institute of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery;
- Possibility to purchase consumables;
- Modern cap with a large number of LEDs;
- Production — Russia.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of remineralization;
- There is no shade scale.
Take a Smile and Small-set by On White
3. My white studio — Home teeth whitening kit
This set is very similar to the first, it also uses applicator pencils (3 pcs. 2 ml each) and a wire tray. In addition, the manufacturer added a remineralizing gel (2 ml.), As well as napkins for cleaning teeth (10 pcs.).
The set promises a result of 8 tones in 10 days, which raises questions. There are people with dense enamel, and their result may be lower. But let’s leave it on the conscience of the manufacturer.
The manufacturer also claims that the products are manufactured using patented American technology, but the patent number is not called.
Advantages:
- Carbamide peroxide as an asset;
- There is remineralization;
- There is a scale of shades;
- There are wipes for cleaning teeth.
Disadvantages:
- Small amount of consumables (6 ml. +2 ml.);
- Exaggerated promises;
- Lack of specific certification information;
- No extra whitening strips;
- Production — China.
My white studio — Home teeth whitening kit
2. Relive a Smile by On White — Home Teeth Whitening and Remineralization Kit
We doubted whether to include this set in the review, because we have already considered the sets of this brand in this article. However, this set is significantly different from the rest, and it seemed to us very important to take it as a positive example.
The manufacturer makes quite realistic promises — to whiten your teeth by 6-8 tones in 10 sessions. The result, again, according to the manufacturer, should last for 3-4 months.
The set also includes two tubes with an activator gel (10 ml) and a whitening composition (15 ml). And this is where the significant differences begin. Firstly, the manufacturer again demonstrates its generosity and put a huge tube of remineralizing gel (30 ml.). Secondly, this set features a wireless mouthguard, which gives more mobility and autonomy of use. In addition, the cap does not just shine blue, it also has a red light mode. The first activates whitening, the second enhances the remineralization process.
A very thoughtful set, with the exception of one small flaw, and it costs quite humane money.
Advantages:
- Carbamide peroxide as an asset;
- The presence of remineralization;
- Large volume of consumables (10 ml. + 15 ml. + 30 ml.);
- Wireless two-light cap;
- Patented technology (patent No. 2697401);
- The products are certified, the manufacturer demonstrates the documentation;
- Approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation Research Institute of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery;
- Production — Russia
Disadvantages:
- There is no shade scale;
- No additional whitening strips.
Relive a Smile by On White
1. Smile room — System for home whitening with a lamp
This representative is generally very original, as it is written directly on the packaging of the set itself. However, we still do not understand what the originality is.
This is a standard set with three applicator pencils (2 ml each) and a regular wire cap. There is no remineralizing composition here. But there is a promise to penetrate the dentin, which is no longer true.
However, assurances on the result are quite realistic — up to 10 tones in 7-14 days.
There is also a statement that the kit is made in the USA, which is indirectly confirmed by the instruction in English. What a person who does not speak this language will do with it is unknown.
Advantages:
- Carbamide peroxide as an asset;
- Ease of use;
- The presence of a scale of shades.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of remineralization;
- Lack of certification information;
- Small amount of consumables (6 ml.);
- Instruction in English;
- No additional whitening strips.
Smile room – Home whitening system with lamp
What do we end up with
In this article, we wanted to show you how different home teeth whitening kits, which are approximately the same price, can differ. The presence or absence of remineralization, a wired or wireless mouth guard, a clear concern for the consumer and the generosity of the manufacturer — all this allows you to make an informed decision and be sure that the purchase will at least justify the costs, and at the most will give you a snow-white smile.