Is DIY teeth whitening as effective as professional treatments?

There are a LOT of teeth whitening products on the market. From whitening strips and trays to whitening toothpaste and mouth wash, the options are staggering. But do any of them work as well as professional teeth whitening from your dentist? It turns out they might. A recent study published in the 88^th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research found that Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal (recently renamed Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid) whitened teeth nearly as much as professional light-assisted whitening from the dentist – a procedure that can cost up to $800. 

We have to admit that we're bit a skeptical of the results, though, since the study was funded by Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturer of Crest Whitestrips. That being said, depending on the prior condition of your teeth, an over-the-counter treatment may be all that's needed. Plus, consumers are overwhelmingly pleased with the results from several over-the-counter whitening options. It’s true that they won’t produce the blinding whites you see on celebrities (much of which comes from bonding and veneers), but you're likely to notice a difference.

To get the best results from a teeth whitening system, follow these tips:

Start with a basic cleaning. Although you don’t have to pay professional fees to get a brighter smile, you probably want to visit to your dentist before you get started. A general cleaning will clear tartar and other build-up so that the teeth whitener can go to work on the enamel and not just surface stains. Plus, teeth whitening can cause more damage than it’s worth if you have underlying dental problems like cavities or gum disease. Getting the go-ahead from your dentist before you begin is probably in your best interest.

If at first you don’t succeed, go for a second round. If your results aren’t as dramatic as you want, it’s generally okay to go for a second round of treatment. Most over-the-counter treatments can be used back to back (but don’t do it more than two times consecutively) without any harm. In fact, in the aforementioned study, testers used Crest Whitestrips for 20 days even though the instructions call for just 14.  If you’re teeth are severely stained, you may need the extra treatment to see a real difference.

Pay the pros and maintain at home. If all else fails, pay the dentist for your initial whitening and then keep it up with an over-the-counter teeth whitener. For the best bets, see our recently updated report on teeth whitening.