1. REMBRANDT Plus Peroxide Whitening Mouthwash
Overall Score: 5 out of 5
The promise: This mouthwash promises to restore and strengthen enamel while whitening teeth with a rapid-release liquid peroxide that begins working on contact.
What WD had to say: The tester, whose stained teeth had gradually gotten worse over the years from smoking and coffee, loved this easy-to-use product right away, saying, “it was just like it advertised—‘Fresh Mint’—and made my whole mouth tingle, which was very rejuvenating.” Plus, the results were immediate. “It makes your teeth visibly whiter, and I think in two weeks I did see a little bit of long-term whitening.” $7.99; Walgreens.com.Photo: courtesy of Rembrandt.com.
2. Supersmile Professional Whitening System
Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5
The promise: This gel and paste combination system claims to remove stains above and below the enamel with only a few drops twice a day.
What WD had to say: After having bleached her teeth a few years ago, our tester had slacked on maintaining them. Attracted to this product because “it’s basically like toothpaste, which seemed like the easiest thing possible—no mouth trays, strips or goop,” our tester was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. “It’s ideal for people like me who are sensitive to strong solutions and hate having to wear something on their teeth!” $36; SuperSmile.com.
3. Crest 3D White Whitestrips Advanced Vivid
Overall Score: 4 out of 5
The promise: These strips claim to use the same enamel-safe whitening ingredient as dentists do to remove stains both above and below the surface in 14 days.
What WD had to say: Our tester, whose teeth had been stained by coffee and red wine, said these strips were “the most convenient” she had ever used. Although she couldn’t wear them 14 days in a row because her teeth began to ache, she did say her teeth “looked immediately whiter after taking the strips off each time.” $34.99; Drugstore.com.Photo: courtesy of 3DWhite.com.
4. Luster Weekend White
Overall Score: 4 out of 5
The promise: This kit claims to rid teeth of stains and discoloration in minutes and make them six shades whiter in only three days.
What WD had to say: Our tester, who began the process with “slightly pale yellow” teeth, got compliments after using this product for just one day—“my teeth seemed two shades brighter after the first application.” The application was simple, as you just swish for 30 seconds with the rinse and then paint each tooth with the gel, rinsing after 10 minutes. But after three applications—just half the recommended time of use—she did feel sensitivity. $19.99; LusterOralCare.com.
5. Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster 3X
Overall Score: 4 out of 5
The promise: This paste claims it has three times the whitening agent of leading whitening strips, and will make teeth up to four shades whiter after six weeks.
What WD had to say: Saying her teeth were “not terribly yellow, but could use some whitening,” our tester was attracted to this gel because she could apply it with her regular toothpaste. After using twice a day for one week, however, she started feeling sensitivity toward hot and cold foods, so she stopped using for a few days. Even though the testing period was only two weeks, our tester said the color change was noticeable and thinks the results will be even better after the recommended six weeks. Photo courtesy of ArmandHammer.com.
6. Aquafresh White Trays
Overall Score: 3.25 out of 5
The promise: Aquafresh claims their safe, easy and comfortable trays produce whiter teeth in as little as three days.
What WD had to say: Our tester is an avid tea drinker, which caused her teeth to turn a light yellow color. While application was fairly simple—you just insert gel-lined trays over your upper and lower teeth—the problem was how long she had to wear them. “For the 45 minutes that the trays are in your mouth, you can’t eat or drink and can hardly speak.” So while her teeth were whiter after the first day of use and she didn’t experience any sensitivity, she says you need to reserve almost an hour every day for a week to use this product as recommended. $31.99; Walgreens.com. Photo courtesy of Aquafresh.com.
7. Orbit White Gum
Overall Score: 3 out of 5
The promise: Not only does this gum promise fresh breath, it also claims it will remove stains and whiten teeth if you chew two pieces after consuming teeth-staining products like red wine, coffee and soda.
What WD had to say: Our tester felt she needed a whitening boost because she’s a frequent coffee drinker. As for chewing two pieces at once, she said “it was more than I’m used to chewing and it made the flavor a little more intense than I’d normally prefer.” After two weeks, our tester didn’t notice any changes in the color of her teeth, but will continue to chew the gum since it “freshens breath well and has a nice minty taste.” $1.19; Kmart.com. Photo courtesy of Wrigley.com.
8. Go Smile Tooth Whitening System
Overall Score: 3 out of 5
The promise: Using the patented Ampoule Technology, this system claims you will get whiter teeth in seven days by inserting the small vial into the sleeve, popping the inner tube and applying the solution directly onto your teeth.
What WD had to say: Our tester had used whitening products in the past, but was looking for something to maintain her already white teeth. Unfortunately, she was disappointed by the application process of this product. “I couldn’t even figure out how to use it. By the time I finally squeezed out all the gel, I was frustrated and it got everywhere.” Although the gel seemed to brighten her teeth after just three days and produced no tooth sensitivity, our tester won’t use it again due to the difficulty of use. $89; Photo courtesy of GoSmile.com.
9. Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse
Overall Score: 2.6 out of 5
The promise: With four times the amount of whitening power of toothpaste, this rinse claims to fight stains, plaque buildup and bad breath.
What WD had to say: The mouthwash seemed simple and harmless enough to our tester, whose teeth were “fairly yellow and discolored,” but as soon as she put it in her mouth, her outlook changed. “The main whitening ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, and it tasted that way. The first time I tried it, I hated it, and it was a struggle to keep rinsing for a full minute.” It was simple to use, however, and only took a minute twice a day before brushing. The product doesn’t indicate how long it takes to see results, but in the two weeks she tested it, she didn’t notice any change. $5.49; Walgreens.com. Photo courtesy of ListerineWhitening.com.
10. REMBRANDT Form-Fit Whitening Strips
Overall Score: 2.5 out of 5
The promise: These strips claim to visibly whiten teeth in five days.
What WD had to say: With only a five- to seven-day commitment, this product seemed like the easiest choice for our tester, whose teeth were “white enough and looked OK, but could be a shade or two whiter.” Although she described the application process as “very easy—you just peel them open, rinse your mouth with water and put them in,” the results were disappointing. After seven days, our tester saw little improvement. $22.99; Rembrandt.com.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
