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We all know that your smile is one of your most important features, and sometimes it's just not as bright as you like. Lots of people (coffee fans, we see you!) look for simple or over-the-counter solutions for teeth whitening. Not everyone has the time or the money to get their teeth professionally whitened.
Teeth whitening is useful to remove stains caused by external factors like coffee, tea, and smoking, as well as stains caused by medication, trauma, or aging. However, it is generally easier to remove external stains than those caused by aging or medication. It's also important to remember that teeth whitening solutions aren't permanent. How long the results last will depend on your lifestyle habits and oral hygiene. Touch-up treatments may be necessary to maintain the desired level of whiteness.
Friday, March 24th
AuraGlow is a teeth whitening kit that uses LED light technology along with a gel to whiten your teeth. A single kit comes with 20+ individual treatments as well as the teeth trays and LED light. The kit promises to whiten your teeth up to 10 shades lighter within 7 days of using the product for 30 minutes at a time. AuraGlow targets stains from coffee, wine, soda, tea, and smoking.
Much cheaper than whitening at your dentist's office
The kit with LED, tray, and 2 10ml tubes of gel ranges from $60 to $100 depending on where you buy. Thankfully, when you run out of gel, the company sells refills separately. You can get three 10ml tubes of gel for $35. As this whitening method is meant to be used daily, and one tube provides an average of 10 uses, gel refills for AuraGlow will cost roughly $35 per month.
Gel is safe for all tooth types
The whitening agent in AuraGLow is a 35% carbamide peroxide teeth whitening gel. The gel is made in the USA and is safe for your enamel. The gel delivers fast whitening results without causing sensitivity issues. Carbamide peroxide is also safe for crowns, caps, and veneers and it polishes your teeth while whitening. By placing the gel in the tray, you apply the gel to your teeth along with the LED light glow for 30 minutes. The tray is latex-free and promises to be one-size-fits-all.
Additional whitening options
If you aren't a fan of holding something in your mouth for 30 minutes, AuraGlow also offers a variety of other tooth-whitening options to support your bright smile. You can get:
And if for some reason you need to replace your whitening LED light, they sell that separately too for $30.
Money back within 30 days
One of the things we liked about AuraGlow is that if you are unsatisfied with their products, you can get a full refund within 30 days of the purchase date. However, refunds are only valid within 30 days, and you have to provide proof of purchase from the AuraGlow website. It's also important to know that shipping and restocking fees are nonrefundable.
Thousands of happy customers
With over 44,000 individual reviews, AuraGlow is one of the most popular DIY teeth whiteners today. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars across review sites, and 75% of all reviews about AuraGlow have 5 stars. Happy customers said across the board that they could see a noticeable difference in their teeth after only one use of AuraGlow.
Long lasting
Customers noted that once you've whitened your teeth to your satisfaction, it takes 6-12 months before you need to start treatments again. So, if you're worried about having to whiten for 30 minutes daily forever, you don't need to be. Some of the keywords from happy reviewers include: "easy-to-use" and "noticeably whiter." Only 7% of all reviews had one star. These customers were frustrated with the one-size-fits-all tray size and felt that the results weren't good enough to warrant the price.
Bright future for AuraGlow users
AuraGlow is a standout product. We're excited about the easy application, instant results, and multiple options. AuraGlow stands out in almost every department. While it's not super cheap to get started, the price is competitive, especially considering all the benefits of AuraGlow. Compared to some options that start over $100, this is the closest budget-friendly option to professional whitening on the market. It's worth trying for the benefits and easily makes it to the number one spot in our evaluation.
Smile Brilliant is a teeth whitening system that promises to be for everyone. Built on the concept of customization, Smile Brilliant works to cut out the middleman (the dentist) by getting the tooth whitening technology directly from the dental lab to your home, passing the savings directly to the customer: you. Your only job is to choose how much whitening gel you want, and how sensitive your teeth are, and you can get a whitening system that's customized for your smile. This system includes the dental trays, which are molded to your mouth when they're made.
On the spendy side - but still cheaper than a professional whitening
The prices for Smile Brilliant range from $140 to $189 for a package, which isn't cheap, but they promise you're getting the same product that you'd get from the dentist which would normally cost over $600.
Are you sensitive or not?
You have two options to choose from to begin the customization process. First, by choosing sensitive or non-sensitive, you are provided three different package options for each type. The sensitive options are more expensive than the non-sensitive options by about $10-$20. All of the options provide custom-molded teeth trays. There are T9, T6, and T3 systems which just offer different amounts of gel. For example:
Completely custom to your mouth
This whitening system is unique among its competitors because of how custom everything is. The process is expensive compared to some whitening treatments, however the cost does cover every step of the process including getting your package with the putty and trays to make your dental impressions (with extra in case you make a mistake). The cost also covers shipping all the way around including between you and the lab. The custom trays are perfect for this system because you have to keep the trays in for an hour at a time. Smile Brilliant knew it would be important to maximize comfort for this process. Luckily, your results will last up to a year with the Smile Brilliant system.
A top-rated service across the board
Smile Brilliant provides access to reviews and testimonials on their website including before and after photos that show how well the process works. The Smile Brilliant system has an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Customers who left 5-star reviews were thrilled by the customer service with Smile Brilliant and also the results they got from their whitening treatments.
Amazing treatment
Customers love the comfort of custom-made trays, even if they were skeptical about the usefulness of the product and the price. Some of the themes across comments included quotes like "you get what you pay for" and "amazing treatment." The primary con noted in the lower-rated comments included frustration that the process took a while to get started since the shipping back and forth and molding process does require a few weeks.
Great system, but expensive
Smile Brilliant is, by no means, a cheap option for teeth whitening. However, compared to professional dental work, it's still hundreds of dollars less. If you're looking for a custom-built system, with whitening gel that's made in the lab just for you, Smile Brilliant is the place to go. We know it's not the most budget-friendly option, but with a full year of pearly-whites to look forward to post-treatment, and some of the best ratings online, this system easily makes it to the number two spot in our review.
iSmile is an LED whitening treatment that uses a whitening gel and an LED mouth tray to deliver a brighter smile. In most other regards, this teeth whitener is comparable to other LED systems in this review. With a 5-LED light device that attaches to a one-size-fits-all mouth tray, you use the product once per day to start seeing results.
Not hard on your teeth - or your wallet
A single LED unit costs between $35.95-$49.95 depending on where you buy the product, and the package will come with the LED with batteries included, three 3ml Whitening Gel Syringes (mint flavored), 1 pack of desensitizing gel, and the mouth tray. And, if the decent price isn't good enough, iSmile offers a 30-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't see the results you expected, you can get a full refund, no questions asked.
Whitening and desensitizing gels
Similar to some other gels on this list, the mint-flavored whitening gel uses 35% carbamide peroxide to make your smile lighter and brighter. However, iSmile also provides a desensitizing gel to protect your gums and teeth from sensitivity. Additionally, iSmile provides usage recommendations to reduce the likelihood of any discomfort. Their packaging notes that to prevent gum irritation they recommend using .4ml of the whitening gel in each treatment. They also note that overfilling the tray with gel won't make your teeth any whiter, but could increase the chances of irritation and sensitivity.
10 minutes a day keeps the stains away
iSmile stands out among other LED whitening treatments because of the timeframe needed to see results. Instead of the 30+ minute treatments used by other systems, iSmile only requires a 10-minute application each day. It's also recommended that you only use the product for a total of 10 days before stopping treatment, so you're not locked into months of whitening treatments either.
Customers are seeing brighter smiles
iSmile has received an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars for its whitening treatment. Happy customers noted that they saw results from using iSmile right away. The treatment was easy to complete and many users appreciated the desensitizing gel provided in the kit. Some noted that they felt sensitivity during the first treatment but nothing after, and their results lasted for months. Other positive reviews noted that the taste of the gel was pleasant. Some of the lower reviews noted that the mouth tray was hard to get used to at first, and other 1-star reviewers complained that the product didn't work for them at all.
Quick timeline and great price for whitening
Overall, iSmile provides a good product for a decent price. The gel system is comparable to other companies in our review and provides results for thousands of satisfied customers. Since iSmile is one of the fastest-working options in this review, it stands out as a top competitor. iSmile is an excellent choice among at-home teeth whiteners and easily takes third place in this review. Only its lower user rating kept it from taking the number two spot.
Snow is an online distributor that offers a variety of whitening and dental products. The primary whitening kit from Snow is the Snow At Home Teeth Whitening Kit which costs $129 if you subscribe to their "confidence club." However, if you don't want to subscribe, the cost is usually $149 per kit. The kit is made out of completely recyclable materials and is made entirely within the US.
Competitive kit with money-back guarantee
The Snow At Home Teeth Whitening Kit has a variety of whitening technologies in each package. For the $149 price, you receive:
On top of this kit, Snow also offers options for teeth whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, and you can buy refills of the serum and wands. And if you don't like their products for any reason, Snow promises a money-back guarantee within 30 days minus the cost of shipping.
Award-winning whitening
One of the standout features of Snow is that the products have won awards and been voted best-whitening-technology by 7+ different beauty and health magazines including Elle and Marie Claire. On top of that, Snow promises that the whitening that you get from their treatment will last up to a year, so once your teeth are pearly white, you don't have to buy more products right away. The initial investment should last you one full year.
Customers love Snow
On top of being well-rated by the Better Business Bureau, Snow is also "A+" rated for customer service and accredited by the BBB. Across review sites, Snow has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. Customers who rated Snow 5 stars noted that they loved how easy it was to get the products and that maintenance was cheaper than the initial purchase as they didn't need to replace the LED. 5-star reviews also indicated that customers saw results within the first couple of weeks using the product: it may not be the fastest on the list, but it does whiten to customers' satisfaction.
A few grumblings
Overall, users are really happy with their results and with the customer service at Snow. Some of the customers who weren't happy said that Snow didn't do anything for their teeth. Others complained about receiving products that had already expired by the time they arrived.
Great high-end option
Snow is a popular choice in the high-end price range for teeth whiteners. The website provides all the options you need for dental care as well as a full range of whitening treatments. Their LED kit is competitive with some of the top options in our review with respect to results and customer satisfaction. However, the product does take a little time to take effect, so only that factor puts it lower than some of the other options in this review. But, if you don't mind paying over $100 for a whiter smile, it might be worth checking out this award-winning whitening system.
When you think about at-home teeth whiteners, Crest Whitestrips is probably the first one that comes to mind. Crest Whitestrips uses an adhesive, filmy strip that sticks to your teeth. You'll apply the strips to the front surfaces of your top and bottom teeth and leave the strips on for 30 minutes a day. Each pack comes with 44 regular whitening strips (22 30-minute treatments). Some packs also come with 2 strips of a 1-hour express treatment. This combo pack costs $45.99 and will last you just under 1 month of whitening.
Dentist approved formula
The two types of Whitestrips in the package are both enamel-safe and use Crest Advanced Seal Technology to help the strip mold the shape of your teeth. The strips are coated with a gel that has a dentist-recommended formula for whitening. The ingredients in Whitestrips include:
Integrates into your daily life
Unlike many whitening systems that use trays and lights, you can go about your day while you have a Whitestrip on your teeth. The product is made to adhere to your teeth, so the strips will stay put until you remove them yourself. You can talk, work, and drink water while wearing Crest Whitestrips. This whitening product is easy to use around your daily life and doesn't require you to set aside specific time to whiten your teeth, which is a plus.
Most customers are happy, but gum sensitivity was a problem
The reviews for Crest Whitestrips average 4.5 out of 5 stars. Looking at user photos, it's easy to see a difference in the before and after smiles. Customers loved the flexibility of the strips and the price for the number of strips you get in the box. Many customers said they saw results after their first treatment. Over 77% of customers rated Crest Whitestrips 5 stars and were happy with their results.
Only whitens the front
However, a common complaint with teeth whiteners that use strips like these is that only the front-facing surfaces get lighter. That can result in an awkward look when the front of the teeth are white, but the sides are more yellow. Lower-rated customer reviews of Crest Whitestrips confirm that to be the case. Many of the low-rated comments also mentioned gum sensitivity during and after use.
Leading whitening strip brand
If you like the idea of being able to go about your day while whitening your teeth, Crest Whitestrips could be a great option for you. Pioneered by a leading brand, the strips are reasonably priced for the number of treatments you get. The Whitestrips have been tested over many years, and are recommended by dentists. However, with customers complaining about sensitivity, keep an eye out for your gums and teeth. You might need to pair Crest Whitestrips with sensitive toothpaste or other products to reduce inflammation.
GLO Science is a LED and gel whitening treatment with three different options. The GLO Science LED system is a dentist-invented teeth whitening kit that includes a warming LED mouthpiece and whitening gel that promises to quickly and safely whiten teeth at home. The system works not just with light, but also with heat. The warming mouthpiece is clinically proven to remove stains and whiten your teeth up to 12 shades. The three different kit options are priced between $149-$199 which is on par with or above some of the luxury options on our list.
Three different products all over $100
There are three different kits that you can use to get started with GLO Science.
Expensive - so look for sales
Unfortunately, all three options are fairly expensive. However, the GLO website does offer sales and promotions regularly. At the time of this review, they were offering 15% off your entire purchase. And, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which helps make that high price tag risk-free if you wind up not liking the product.
Needs 4 treatments a day to be effective
The GLO vials use a pre-measured mixture of ingredients to create your new white smile. These ingredients and the GLO system were developed by Dr. Jonathan B Levine, a cosmetic dentist. In the GLO vials you will find:
You don't have to use it forever
We like that GLO Science isn't a constant treatment. You only need to use it for up to 10 days in a row before you can enjoy your newly brightened smile. You don't have to worry about treatments until you want to whiten again. So, while it might be a little inconvenient to apply the gel and use the treatment four times a day (for a total of 32 minutes), it's not something that you need to worry about in the long term. And, when you're using the treatment it will turn itself off automatically, so you don't have to keep track of time every 8 minutes.
Happy customers noticed a difference
In terms of customer feedback, GLO Science earned 4.1 out of 5 stars on average. The 5-star reviewers definitely noticed a distinct difference in whitening. Happy customers also agreed that GLO Science didn't cause any sensitivity or discomfort. One happy reviewer noted that their dentist sold the exact same product for 3x the price that you can get from GLO Science's website, so they felt the value of the professional-level whitening was worth it.
Reviewers hate the corded battery pack
Unhappy customers complained that while the whitening gel didn't bother their teeth or gums, it did hurt their tongues. Other 1-star reviews noted that they found the corded battery packs unwieldy and difficult to get around with. Some felt frustrated that the cords got tangled with things while using the treatment and working at the same time.
Pricey but does what it promises
GLO Science is a great professional-grade option, but the price just makes it hard to buy. With other LED and gel treatments out there for much more reasonable prices, GLO Science just doesn't stack up. However, if you're looking for something that was developed by a dentist and will give you a white smile within 10 days, GLO Science might be worth checking out.
Go Smile is a service that offers a variety of whitening methods. There are three primary kits: LED and gel, a sonic toothbrush and toothpaste, and a tooth "pen" kit for maintaining your sparkly white smile. The services from Go Smile range from $69 up to $119 depending on which whitening method you want to use. The site is also a one-stop shop, providing options for refills and other dental needs, including options for kids.
Stands out with sonic technology
The three different whitening kits sold by Go Smile include:
Expensive - look for those onsite deals
While Go Smile isn't the cheapest option on the market, there are lots of deals available on the website. For example, at the time of this review, arriving at the Go Smile landing page triggered an offer for 10% off when signing up for emails. They also offer a variety of deals on shipping costs if you buy up to $50 worth of items from the website. Since all of the starter kits begin above that price, you'll get free shipping with Go Smile. On top of that Go Smile is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. They promise that if you're not satisfied within 30 days, you can return the remaining product for a complete refund (although this doesn't include shipping and handling fees).
Not the fastest option for a bright smile
While there aren't a lot of reviews out there for Go Smile, it has an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from different retailers. Customers specifically focused on the whitening gel in reviews and noted that the gel cleans and whitens effectively and also has a great scent and taste. One thing a few of the reviews noted, even the 5-star ones, was that this product takes time. The reminder to "be patient" pops up across different reviews, so if you're looking for a quick fix for teeth whitening Go Smile might not be the best option for you.
Unique approach, but overpriced
Go Smile has a lot to offer if you want to try some different methods for whitening. The products are designed for a customer who doesn't want to have tons of different treatments for their dental hygiene. Both the Go Smile whitening device and the sonic toothbrush are designed to brush and whiten your teeth, so you don't have to have separate tools for those features. However, the products are on the expensive side, though not the most costly in our review. So, if you want to try sonic technology as a new approach to whitening, take a look at Go Smile.
My Smile is an online distributor that provides a variety of whitening treatments and oral care. The site sells individual products and bundles with options that range from tooth whitening powder to LED light treatments. At the time of this review, everything on the site was on sale by at least 20%, so prices may vary depending on when you shop. The price range for whitening products goes from $36.99 up to $113, so depending on which style of whitener you get, the prices aren't too bad.
Package options don't explain the contents
The site has a variety of whitening options, but the most cost-effective are the whitening bundles offered by My Smile. These are the Everyday Whitening Bundle, the Ultimate Whitening Bundle, and the Maximum Whitening Bundle. The bundles come with the following options:
A familiar product for a budget price
My Smile also offers a standard LED and gel package called the Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light. This product comes with a battery-powered LED and applicators with whitening gel. This LED kit is $31.99 at several retailers and is one of the top-reviewed items from My Smile.
The website could use some TLC
One of the things that stood out to us about My Smile is that the site doesn't seem very well-maintained. Many of the images used for product photos all appear to be just one promo image for each product. Many listings don't provide 360-degree views of products or even different angles of packaging and individual items. Further, the site has a variety of typos and inconsistencies across the copy, which doesn't make us feel very confident about their products.
Generally good reviews...
Surprisingly, the My Smile products have received decent reviews from consumers. The LED light and gel treatment has earned a 4.1 out of 5 stars on average. While that's lower than many others in our review, there are plenty of customers who enjoyed the My Smile products. One of the things that customers liked best about My Smile was the price. Their LED and gel kit is priced very reasonably and competes well with similar products that we evaluated.
...but some worrying feedback
However, reviewers also noted that while the initial kit is cheap, the maintenance isn't as inexpensive. Replacing the gels gets pricey quickly, and customers weren't as thrilled about maintaining their My Smile unit over time. The gel refills are $20 each and only contain 9 applications of gel each. Several customers also complained that the LED light in the unit didn't seem to help with the whitening as they could use the gel alone. Others noticed that their gums were very painful after use.
Not the best or the worst
My Smile has pros and cons. While the prices are competitive, their website is poorly made and doesn't inspire confidence in buyers. However, their basic whitening LED kit is well-reviewed and competes with other options in our rankings. Yet again, there were only 50% of happy customers, and the others had a lot to say about value, maintenance, and sore gums. Overall, it seems safer to go with a different option for maintaining a bright smile.
There are a few different teeth whitening procedures. In-office teeth whitening is typically done by a dentist and involves applying a strong bleaching agent to the teeth. At-home teeth whitening can be done using over-the-counter products like whitening toothpaste or whitening strips or with custom trays and gels provided by a dentist. Both in-office and at-home methods are generally safe.
There are also natural remedies that people use to whiten their teeth, such as brushing with baking soda or using apple cider vinegar. However, these methods are not scientifically proven to be effective and may even damage the teeth if used incorrectly. It's always best to consult with a dentist before trying any teeth whitening method and follow instructions carefully once you begin.
So, if you've decided to go the DIY route, how do you choose a product to whiten your teeth? There are a lot of factors to consider, so keep in mind what you're looking for and what's most important to you. If you're not sure where to start, here are some things that might help you decide:
To help you find a way to brighten your smile, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular methods for whitening your teeth. We hope this information makes it easy to decide which whitener is best for you so you can start feeling confident with your bright new smile.
As the old saying goes, "Smile, and the whole world smiles with you".
But for some people, the very act of smiling can be an embarrassing proposition. Maybe that person is a heavy smoker, or a coffee or tea drinker - both practices which can dull the look and feel of teeth. Even the aging process alone can dull a person's teeth. And when your pearly whites aren't so white anymore, people often shy away from showing them.
Now there is a solution beyond keeping your lips sealed and your teeth hidden from view - tooth whitening.
What is Tooth Whitening?
Tooth whitening is the process by which bleach, or another chemical agent, is applied to a person's teeth in order to help remove stains and discoloration, making them appear brighter. This is a procedure which can be done in a dentist's office, or at home using special at-home kits.
So which option is right for you? That depends on the time and money a person has to spend on the procedure. It also depends on the kind of staining your teeth are experiencing.
Tooth-whitening procedures work best on surface, or extrinsic, stains. Those are the kinds of stains which are produced by drinking too many dark-colored drinks (coffee, tea, red wines, and cola), smoking or chewing tobacco, or through the aging process. It is possible for teeth to have what is known as an intrinsic stain. That is a stain that actually occurs within the tooth itself. These kinds of stains can be caused by a number of things: overuse of fluoride products as a child, usage of antibiotics in children under age 8 and use of antibiotics by a mother who is in the second half of her pregnancy. Various forms of trauma also can result in intrinsic stains. Tooth whitening procedures do not have a great track record when it comes to handling intrinsic stains.
So the first step in deciding whether tooth-whitening will help improve the appearance of your teeth is to know which kind of stain is affecting them. If you are unsure, a quick trip to the dentist can help resolve the issue.
Do-it-Yourself Versus Professional Cleaning
Once you have figured out which kind of tooth staining you are dealing with, selecting a whitening option which works best for your needs is next.
As previously mentioned, most professional dentists are able to perform tooth-whitening procedures. Home-whitening products use a low level of bleaching agent, which can sometimes make them less effective than the products used by dental professionals. However, it is the most expensive option for whitening your teeth, at an average cost of $650 per procedure.
In contrast, at-home whitening kits can cost as little as $100 and do not require an appointment with a dentist. The procedure can be done in the comfort and convenience of your own home.
Tooth whitening, whether done at the dentist or at home, is not a permanent procedure. It will need to be repeated every couple of months in order to keep teeth looking cleaner, whiter and looking their best.
Select any 2 Teeth Whiteners to compare them head to head