Teeth Whitening Review

Finding real reviews of teeth whitening is a challenge

Experts say some tooth-whitening products can produce dramatic results. The vast majority agree that in-office professional teeth-whitening by your dentist is most effective, but opinions vary widely on whether over-the-counter strips, pastes, chewing gum, trays and paint-on liquids really work. To learn more, we turned to dental experts from the American Dental Association (ADA) and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). In particular, the 2007 IADR convention saw the presentation of seven research studies comparing teeth-whitening products. Many of these studies are, however, sponsored by manufacturers. We found less formal (but possibly more objective) testing at ConsumerReports.org, where editors compare eight over-the-counter tooth-whitening products.

User evaluations of teeth-whitening products at TeethWhiteningReviews.com, Drugstore.com and Amazon.com are also valuable. Although individuals can't scientifically measure the whiteness of their teeth, they are certainly knowledgeable about which products are uncomfortable, messy or downright painful.

In addition, we found many websites that portray themselves as unbiased review sites for teeth-whitening products but, in fact, have very little substantive information and no testing details. We don't know who is writing these reviews, because authors and experts are not identified. We tried to contact TeethWhiteningReview.com, but didnÔt receive a reply. Several other review websites provide no contact information.  We'd take sites like these more seriously if they recommended or criticized products based on comparative testing or at least identified the authors. With  a list of unsupported "top-rated" teeth whiteners, these sites are of little or no value in trying to identify the most effective teeth-whitening products. Note that a similar-sounding site, TeethWhiteningReviews.com, does post legitimate user reviews.

Celebrity Sexy Teeth, now called Just White (*Est. $100 for a 90-day supply), an over-the-counter tooth whitener sold online, has garnered a lot of hype. The manufacturer's website says Celebrity Sexy Teeth/Just White is less messy and stronger than most at-home whiteners and promises to lighten teeth in just 14 days. Consumers posting to TeethWhiteningReviews.com, however, say they are sorely disappointed. Reviewers say they are frustrated by the complex, difficult-to-read instructions printed on the product. More than 200 consumers review Celebrity Sexy Teeth at this site, and an overwhelming majority of them say that the product just does not work and is a waste of money.

As we mentioned in a blog post, the Better Business Bureau has received hundreds of complaints about Celebrity Sexy Teeth as well as about Ivory White, Bella Bright and Ortho White. Some customers say they were charged as much as $78 after getting what they believed to be a free sample; customers were unwittingly signed up for a program whereby their credit card was charged every month. Other reported scams involve Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile and Dazzle Smile. Although several of these products have been discontinued or renamed, scams like this remain widespread. To make sure you're buying a whitening product from a legitimate company, buy it through reputable online stores such as Drugstore.com or your local bricks-and-mortar retailer.

Reviewers and other experts agree that professional teeth whitening, although expensive, is the most effective and convenient way to brighten your smile. The ADA recommends this method as well, saying it's preferable to have any tooth-whitening process supervised by a dentist. That's because a dentist can examine your mouth for any underlying problems (cavities, gum disease etc.) and determine whether you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. There are a couple of different options if you choose this route, and your dentist can help you choose the one that's right for you. Aside from professional whitening, the effectiveness of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products can vary depending on the product being used and the person using it.