Top store bought teeth whitening kits in Australia
Whiter teeth now!
You need to get your teeth whiter, and fast, so what options are there from teeth whitening kits readily available at the shops? Can a brighter smile be achieved from a store bought teeth whitening kit or do you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a different teeth whitenin solution?
Read on to get the insider information on what products are best to buy for teeth whitening, and will get you the results you want, fast.
Will store bought teeth whitening products work?
The important thing to understand about store bought teeth whitening kits is that they are not going to the be same as what is offered by a dentist or dental professional. This is due to rules from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in order to protect the general public. You are always going to get a superior teeth whitening product at higher concentrations from a dentist, and you won’t be able to get the same concentration of product from a grocery store such as Coles or Woolworths.
What about existing dental treatment?
If you have had dental work done on your front teeth such as crowns, veneers or tooth-coloured fillings, be aware that these will not change colour if you use a home teeth whitening kit. In fact, any professional teeth whitening will also not change the original colour of any existing dental treatments. You can still whiten any of your natural teeth, but you may need your dental work changed if the shade of your teeth is too different.
What to look for in a teeth whitening kit
That said, there are some good teeth whitening kits available from these stores, so we would like to share with you information on what would be good choices to purchase in Australia.
Hydrogen peroxide
Look for a product with the active ingredient being Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide if you are looking to get a whiter smile. This is known to be effective in whitening teeth. There are peroxide free formulations (usually containing PAP), but in our experience these products just don’t produce good results. You can read more about our review on Hi Smile PAP teeth whitening products here.
Concentration
Look for a product with the highest concentration. A higher concentration will get you results, faster. The highest concentration of whitening gel can only be applied by a dental professional as your gums and mouth will need to be protected to avoid chemical burns.
Avoid whitening toothpastes and whitening pens
Try to avoid whitening toothpastes, and look for teeth whitening kits, as they will be more effective. Similar to whitening toothpastes, we find whitening pen products also aren’t very effective as the concentration of the whitening agent cannot be high enough to be effective without causing injury to your mouth. If you do get any chemical burns, you can use some sodium bicarbonate to neutralise the area.
Our recommendations for teeth whitening kits available Australia
Having reviewed products available at major grocery stores in Australia, here are our top picks for teeth whitening kits available in Australia.
Pikster’s Tooth Toner Whitening Strips
Pikster’s Tooth Toner Whitening Strips, 28 pack, $30 at Woolworths. These strips have the highest concentration of all the available products, with a 6% Hydrogen Peroxide whitening formula. The peroxide based whitening gel in the strips promises to get you brighter teeth fast, and is a very affordable whitening product.
Oral B 3D White Whitestrips Luxe
Oral B 3D White Whitestrips Luxe, 28 pack, $45 at Woolworths. This teeth whitening solution is slightly higher in price than the Pikster’s Tooth Toner Whitening Strips, the concentration is slightly lower, at 5.25% Hydrogen Peroxide, so it may take you slightly longer to get the results you want, at a higher price too. These teeth whitening strips are easy to use, and there’s no need for whitening trays or an led accelerator light. You can read more about our review of the Oral B 3D White Whitestrips Luxe here.
When’s the best time to whiten your teeth?
The best time to whiten your teeth is after you have had a professional teeth cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist. The cleaning will remove any surface stains on your teeth, as well as any stubborn stains. If you remove surface stains, the teeth whitening process will be more effective and you will get the best results.
If you are wanting to whiten your teeth before a special event, you may want to allow a minimum of 2-4 weeks to get your teeth noticeably whiter. Of course, results will vary depending on how frequently you use the whitening treatments. Bear in mind that you may also experience sensitive teeth after using a home teeth whitening kit. This usually is only for the duration of using teeth whitening, and is not permanent. Using a sensitive toothpaste can help combat tooth sensitivity while you are whitening your teeth with a home whitening kit.
It is also not recommended to whiten your teeth if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Children under 16 years of age are also recommended to avoid teeth whitening.
Want to know more?
Do you have further questions about teeth whitening, and how you can get a whiter smile? You can find out more about professional whitening and what whitening treatment is best for you. Speak to our friendly Claremont dentists by booking a consultation online now.
