Whether you’re prepping for a big job interview or interested in looking your best for an upcoming high school reunion, whiter teeth can help make a first impression pop. While professional whitening from a dentist can cost upwards of $1,000, over-the-counter options are now available to fit most any budget. Here’s a look at some teeth-whitening products that range in price from $4 to $320. (iStock)
1.) Go Smile Whitening Light System
This in-home kit includes whitening gel and a lighted mouthpiece and the company says it whitens teeth up to eight shades in 30 minutes. The mouthpiece fits between users’ lips to whiten only visible tooth surfaces. The kit can be used once every two weeks to keep teeth pearly, and is made in the United States. Price: $198
2.) G.L.O. (Guided Light Optic) Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device
This kit uses a heated light-emitting mouthpiece in conjunction with a whitening gel to whiten upper and lower teeth simultaneously. Users should apply the gel and light in three eight-minute long sessions every day for five days to achieve sparkly teeth, the company says. The kit includes 20 vials of whitening gel, the GLO device and charging dock, lip balm and other accessories. Price: $320
3.) Listerine Whitening Plus Restoring Fluoride Post-Brush Rinse
For mouthwash fans, this rinse may prove to be a quick and easy way to whiten their teeth. Users rinse for one minute after brushing, and get the added benefit of killing certain germs as well. A 16-ounce bottle costs $6.49
4.) Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster
Designed to be applied to your toothbrush in conjunction with your regular toothpaste, the ARM & HAMMER Whitening Booster is meant to be brushed onto teeth at regular brushing times. The product contains three times more whitening power than tooth whitening strips, according to the company, and it adds users should notice a whiter difference after one week of use. Price: $4.49
5.) Paula’s Choice Brighten Up 2-Minute Teeth Whitener
This pocket-sized tube looks more like lip gloss than a teeth whitener, and is designed to be used on-the-go. The company says it works well when removing stains dark liquids like coffee and red wine. The company says it’s safe for touch-ups on professionally-whitened teeth and has a natural mint flavor. Price: $14.95
6.) Colgate Optic White toothpaste
Optic White toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide, which the company says is the same ingredient most used in tooth-whitening strips. According to Colgate, users can see a noticeable difference after using the product for one week and can see teeth up to three shades whiter after one month of continued use. Price: $3.79 for a 4.0oz tube.
7.) Tanda Pearl
Instead of a lighting device, Tanda Pearl uses ionic technology in conjunction with a whitening gel. Trays whiten both the front and back of teeth and each treatment cycle lasts for five minutes. The treatment is designed to be used twice daily for five days. An activator light lets users know it’s working. Price: $195
8.) Luster NOW toothpaste by Luster Whitening
Luster NOW toothpaste can whiten teeth up to six shades over time, the company says, and users can see an instant difference after the first use. The toothpaste contains proprietary technology called “Bluverite” which can make teeth and gums appear slightly blue at first, but the blue disappears after rinsing. Price: $9.99
9.) Supersmile Ultimate Whitening System
Supsersmile is designed to whiten teeth up to eight shades while also killing bacteria that cause bad breath, the company says. The kit offers “professional activating rods” that clean the surface of the tooth, while the “professional whitening system” does the whitening work. Supersmile contains the proprietary whitening ingredient Calprox, an invention of Supersmile founder Dr. Irwin Smigel. Price: $58