Popular Teeth Whitening Toothpastes and Teeth Aligners

Your smile makes the first impression. But not all of us have a naturally straight, bright pearly whites. So it’s no wonder that more than 37 million Americans use teeth whiteners and spent well over 2 billion dollars on teeth aligners in 2020.

But where do you begin? Think about the result you’re looking for and what budget you’re working with. Then read on to learn about the top at-home products and what they can do for your million dollar smile.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening products can remove both surface stains, as well as deeper stains on your teeth. The most common ingredients include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, but there are some products that use more natural ingredients.

Products with the American Dental Association’s seal of approval indicate that it complies with their safety and effectiveness requirements when used as directed. The most common side effects are temporary tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste whitens the teeth using mildly abrasive chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and silica. It doesn’t have dramatic results, but consistent use can remove brighten teeth color a couple of shades. Whitening toothpaste can be purchased at any pharmacy or grocery store, making it an extremely budget-friendly option.

Our top three whitening toothpastes include:

• Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste – Removes surface stains within a few days.  Approved for sensitive teeth.
• Arm and Hammer Advance White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste – Plaque control, cavity, and stain prevention, plus whiter teeth.
• Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque Natural Whitening Toothpaste – A natural product made with organic ingredients.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are thin plastic strips coated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They use bleaching agents to remove deep stains and can have very noticeable results. Most regimes cost between $35 to $75 for a box.

Our top three whitening strip brands include:

• Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips – These strips can whiten your teeth up to two shades lighter.
• Crest 3D White Strips with Light – An LED light used twice daily with strips gives a better result than whitestrips alone.
• Luminex Oral Essentials Whitening Strips – A 100% natural approach.

Charcoal Whitening

One of the newest teeth whitening products that is getting rave reviews are charcoal teeth whiteners. They come in toothpaste, paste, powder and pre-filled toothbrush form and can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Charcoal is an activated, porous, and highly absorbent fine-grained black powder. Toxins such as stains, adhere to it and are removed. This kind of whitening is a more economical choice than professional dental office whitening procedures.

Our top picks include:

Toothpastes

• Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste – This black toothpaste contains coconut oil, peppermint and spearmint.  Polishes and whitens your teeth.
• Crest 3D Whitening Therapy Charcoal Deep Clean Toothpaste – This toothpaste deep-cleans, whitens and prevents cavities.
• Cali White Activated Charcoal and Organic Coconut Oil Toothpaste – This vegan toothpaste whitens and cleans.  Good for sensitive teeth.

Charcoal Whitening Powder

Charcoal powder is mixed with water, applied to the teeth and left to sit for a few minutes. The process can get messy though, so wear a dark shirt or put it on before hopping in the shower.

Our favorite charcoal powders include:

• Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder – One jar of this organic powder lasts for up 100 brushings.
• Teeth Whitening Powder Activated Bamboo Charcoal Powder – Organic and a 100 percent money back guarantee.
• Premium Nature Activated Charcoal Powder – On a shoestring budget? Add it to your regular toothpaste.

Clear Aligners

Having your teeth straightened professionally by a dentist or orthodontist can result in a perfect smile, but it can easily cost up to $5000. If this is not an option for you, there are clear teeth aligner kits available online for at-home use.

A course of treatment generally takes 3-6 months and costs between $1200 and $2400. A trip to the dentist to make sure you have healthy teeth before you use a kit is a good idea.

Tooth aligners are clear trays that are worn over your teeth. Once you take an impression of your teeth (included in the kit), the company sends you custom-made trays that slowly move your teeth as you wear them. Each tray is worn for about two weeks for about 20 hours a day.

Many people love this option and see great results with it. Just keep in mind, at-home aligners are only suitable for mild-to-moderate level crowding, not severe cases.

Our favorite at-home aligner brands include:

• Byte ($1895-$2400) – For mild to moderate cases of crowding and spacing. Treatment duration is 3 months. Lifetime guarantee.
• Candid ($2400) – Treatment is 5-18 months for mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing and some bite issues. Three-month guarantee.
• New Smile ($1195) – Four to six months treatment for mild and moderate cases of crowding and spacing. No guarantee.

If your teeth prevent you from showing off your smile, there are many ways to change that and give you a reason to smile again. Dental technology has provided us with many at-home products that are both simple and affordable.

For a few dollars you can have a whiter, brighter smile in a little as a week. If you are looking for a straighter smile, it will take a bit more time and money. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s something in your price range that will get you on your way to showing off those pearly whites!