Best Home Teeth Whitening

Crest 3D White Whitestrips top reviews

Crest 3D White Whitestrips receive more favorable reviews than any other form of at-home, teeth-whitening kits, as well as evaluations in trials presented at various International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meetings. Crest Whitestrips perform well in comparison to professional treatments and are also well liked by users who say they work well for the money and are easier to use than some other products.

Whitestrips are available in several varieties: some with stronger bleaching solutions and others designed for more sensitive teeth. Crest 3D White Whitestrips Advanced Vivid (*Est. $40) are among the most popular options in the 3D White lineup. They contain 9.5 percent peroxide gel and have extra polymers to create a more secure attachment to teeth (previous versions were known to slip off teeth and cause drooling). They should be worn for 30 minutes a day for 20 days. In a clinical study presented by the IADR, Advanced Vivid Whitestrips were shown to lighten teeth as well as professional light-assisted whitening.

For most users, however, they lighten an average of three shades. Users say that they are easy to use and have such a good grip that they can be a bit difficult to remove. Some also complain of sensitivity issues, but the discomfort typically goes away once they stop using them. Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth (for recommendations see the ConsumerSearch report on toothpaste) may also help. Other well-received products in this series are: Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects (*Est. $50) and Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips (*Est. $40).

Aquafresh White Trays (*Est. $30) are another over-the-counter option, but they don't receive the accolades that Crest 3D White Whitestrips do. In fact, just the opposite, reviewers complain of ill-fitting trays, which are messy and uncomfortable. A few even say the teeth-whitening gel ran down their throats. All of that can make for a horrible 45 minutes a day for one week -- and to only whiten approximately one shade over the course of treatment. When the tray is actually a comfortable fit for the user, however, reviews suggest that the product whitens effectively.