Find the Best Teeth Whitening Gel Around

If you are one of the millions of people who want to improve your smile, then you may have considered using teeth whitening gel to remove unwanted stains and get your chompers a few shades whiter. But there’s a lot to consider before trying a teeth whitening solution. Many different manufacturers and companies sell various forms of these gels, but the main difference lies in how the product is applied. In addition to the ingredients, the results you get from a whitening gel will be significantly different depending on how you apply it.

Teeth Whitening Gel: Which Application Method Works Best?

There are a few different methods which you can use to apply a teeth whitening gel. Most products come with all of these materials already included in the box, so that you don’t have to go out of your way to purchase separate items or spend extra money. And those methods are:

• Teeth whitening gel strips. These are by far the most popular, and you can find a dozen different brands lining the dental hygiene isle of your local drug store. They are thin, disposable strips of clear, flexible plastic which have the gel already applied. All you have to do is remove the backing, apply the strips to your teeth, and wear them for however long the directions say (usually 30-60 minutes, 1-2 times per day). Teeth whitening gel strips are less messy than other methods, but some customers still report being able to taste the bitter gel in their mouths.
• Teeth whitening gel trays. These trays have different pros and cons associated with them. They are better at keeping the teeth whitening gel on your teeth and protecting your gums, tongue, and mouth from the gel than strips alone; but only if your kit comes with the type of trays you can mold to your teeth. Some cheaper teeth whitening kits come with a set of one-size-fits-all trays, which can be uncomfortable and also leak gel into your mouth. However, the right set of trays will give you similar results to strips, if not better.
• Teeth whitening gel brushes. Some gels don’t require you to physically hold the gel in place for any set length of time; they simply come with an applicator brush and instruct you to brush the gel onto your teeth and either let it dissolve, or to rinse it off a few minutes later. However, many unhappy customers report getting inferior results with these types of gels.

What to Look For in a Good Teeth Whitening Gel

When buying any beauty product, the smart shopper should always flip the box around and scan the ingredients list to make sure their formula is full of the right ones (and that you avoid the wrong ones that are often found in cheap, inferior products). The same is equally true for teeth whitening gel, especially for safety.

Professional teeth whitening kits will contain a gel that is peroxide-based. Most dental professionals will use a formula that contains carbamide peroxide to get teeth up to 10 shades whiter in as little as one treatment. Some formulas may also contain other additives to protect your tooth enamel or reduce gum sensitivity.

Drug store gels will contain similar ingredients, but usually at a smaller concentration. This also helps to prevent tooth and gum sensitivity. The downside to purchasing teeth whitening gel from the drug store is that it will usually take a little longer to whiten your teeth (usually about a week or two) and at best, the most effective gels will only whiten your teeth by about 3-5 shades. But you are paying a much smaller price compared to professional gels, so that is a factor to keep in mind.

Which Teeth Whitening Gel is Right for Me?

The three biggest factors you have to consider when it comes to brightening your smile are time, sensitivity, and price. How long do you have before your smile must be at its whitest? Are you enhancing your smile for a major event, such as a wedding, or are you going for general beauty maintenance? Your time constraints will help determine whether you need a quick, professional treatment, or whether you can take your time with an at-home kit.

Budget is also an important factor. If you don’t have up to $1,500 to spend on professional whitening gel, then your best bet will probably be a drugstore kit or a product you buy for home use online. These are usually cheaper and less potent, so you won’t have to worry about tooth sensitivity as much either.

If you happen to be shopping around for teeth whitening gel, take a look at our product reviews. We give an honest evaluation of the top products for sale today, as well as some helpful advice for you, the smart shopper. Click here to learn more!