There are many reasons why tooth whitening is so popular – not least of which is the speed with which quite dramatic changes can be achieved. The procedure itself is also typically non-invasive and cost-effective, making it accessible to the vast majority of patients interested in improving their smile aesthetics and their self-confidence. Traditional whitening mechanisms A useful feature on the light is that it turns off automatically after ten minutes and you can choose to reset it a couple more times if you want. There’s no information about changing the batteries or how long you can expect them to last, so you might have to be paying for a whole new kit once the power goes out. Kit contents – USB kit ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars) There are various substances derived from nature that can be used for whitening effects. Papain, for example, is an interesting enzyme found in raw papaya fruit. It disrupts the biofilm on the teeth and gums, helping to dislodge bacteria and staining compounds. In doing so, the enzyme increases the amount of light that is reflected off the tooth, hence making it appear lighter and brighter. Bromelain – an enzyme extracted from the juice and stem of the pineapple – has a similar impact on the dental biofilm. Studies have found products containing papain and bromelain to provide significantly better luminosity and stain removal compared to those that don’t. [viii]

Overall, results are mixed. Some people see quite a difference after their six-day treatment, while others see none at all. The box of the Billion Dollar Smile whitening kit looks really nice. It opens up like a book and there’s a section assigned to each item in the kit. With a few bits and pieces to prepare and juggle, having a slot for everything is a nice touch. i] Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What is the demand for natural ingredients for cosmetics on the European market? March 2022. https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/natural-ingredients-cosmetics/what-demand [Accessed December 2022] To whiten teeth, the Smile White formula uses a combination of 16% carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. It has gone through rigorous testing and been found to cause absolutely no damage to gums or dental bone structure.

The best teeth whitening kits and toothpaste to buy in 2023

x] Pascolutti M, de Oliveira D. A Radical-Free Approach to Teeth Whitening. Dentistry Journal. 2021; 9(12):148. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj9120148 The recommended treatment course is still six days, but you should get more than that from this kit since it contains more gel and has a more economical application system.

Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental, explains: "Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid with strong oxidising properties, meaning it steals the electrons that hold the staining molecules together, causing them to fall apart. It will change the colour of your teeth, rather than simply removing surface stains. Carbamide peroxide is another similar ingredient." vi] Colares VLP, Lima SNL, Sousa NCF, Araújo MC, Pereira DMS, Mendes SJF, Teixeira SA, Monteiro CA, Bandeca MC, Siqueira WL, Moffa EB, Muscará MN, Fernandes ES. Hydrogen peroxide-based products alter inflammatory and tissue damage-related proteins in the gingival crevicular fluid of healthy volunteers: a randomized trial. Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 5;9(1):3457. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40006-w. PMID: 30837573; PMCID: PMC6400941. Smile White is a UK-based oral care company that provides professional treatments you can use at home. Smile White partners with dentists all across the country to help patients get the treatment they need at an affordable price and without the inconvenience of multiple in-office visits.Amazing product, my teeth were so much whiter after only a few goes. Highly recommend the product!” Pre-made tray: This is the poor man’s version of the custom lightening tray – in that the process is the same, but the tray isn’t fitted to the exact shape of your mouth. Provided you can cover the entire surface area of your teeth with your tray, it’s a good compromise. If your teeth are a little crooked, though, you may not get an even result. Despite the relative success of peroxide-based compounds used in tooth whitening, there remains some debate over their safety. The free radicals released during the process have been associated with increased sensitivity and pulp damage. [v] Hydrogen peroxide has also been linked to soft tissue alterations, gentotoxicity, cytotoxicity and gingival irritation. One study demonstrated that pro-inflammatory alterations can be detected in samples of gingival crevicular fluid, [vi] postulating that the higher the concentration of hydrogen peroxide applied, the greater the soft tissue inflammation, especially at pulp level. Hydrogen peroxide has also been associated with demineralisation. This seems to be particularly apparent in already demineralised dentition, although even in healthy enamel, the whitening agent could cause negative effects to a depth of up to 20 µm. [vii] Natural alternatives xi] Cho MJ, Shin SC, Chung SY. In vivo study on the tooth whitening by use of hydrated silica and sodium hexametaphosphate contained dentifice. Int J Clin Dent. 2020; 16(2):58-67 https://doi.org/10.15236/ijcpd.2020.16.2.58 [Accessed December 2022] Whitening toothpastes: These work harder than regular toothpastes to remove stains and plaque. To achieve this, they may contain a mild abrasive or bleaching agent, while others contain activated carbon. You can use them in conjunction with other home kits.