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The Best Over-The-Counter Whitening Products

Price-conscious consumers find over-the-counter whitening products a bargain compared with more expensive prescription-strength products. In the dental care aisle of a grocery or drug store, people will find a variety of tooth whiteners that promise spectacular results. Over-the-counter whiteners, however, work best on minor stains caused by aging and foods such as tea, wine and coffee. Only a few dental products have ingredients proven effective for tooth whitening. The best over-the-counter whitening agents contain peroxides or mild abrasives.

  1. Peroxide Solutions

    • Most over-the-counter, tooth-whitening products contain a bleaching agent, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Peroxide solutions are available as a gel or as a film. The best peroxide solutions have been stamped with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. To be deemed effective, these solutions must contain at least 10 percent carbamide peroxide. In the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down into two chemicals: urea and hydrogen peroxide, according to the ADA. Hydrogen peroxide whitens the teeth. A 10 percent carbamide peroxide solution is equivalent to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. These over-the-counter products may effectively whiten teeth that are stained because of diet or aging, according to the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).

    Whitening Toothpastes

    • The best whitening toothpastes remove stains with abrasives. According to the ADA, enzymes and abrasives like modified silica help whiten teeth in toothpastes. Silica is an abrasive substance found naturally in quartz and sand. Enzymes like papain and bromelain dissolve stains. Enzymes and abrasives whiten teeth by physically removing surface stains. The Cleveland Clinic states that these toothpastes can whiten up to one shade. Over-the-counter toothpastes that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance for whitening include Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, Tom's of Maine Simply White Clean Mint Toothpaste and Colgate Total Whitening Gel.

    Considerations

    • Over-the-counter treatments may not be as effective as professional products, but they can maintain the tooth whiteness between in-office procedures. When choosing the best whitening product, consumers should look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Unfortunately, the results of these products aren't immediate. Noticeable tooth whitening may take a few weeks.

    Professional Whitening Products

    • Professional products contain more potent concentrations than over-the-counter products. Dentists usually use products containing up to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide. These solutions may be dispensed by a dentist or applied at home. Alternatively, the dentist may apply the treatments in an office setting for up to 90 minutes. A dentist may also combine whitening treatments with other procedures. In an office setting, lights and lasers can be used to whiten teeth.

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