The idea that "white teeth equals clean teeth" is deeply rooted in our society. Lipsticks look great next to whiter teeth, and a big bright smile always looks awesome in a photo. A healthy-looking, white smile can do a lot for your overall image and confidence.

People have invested thousands in professional tooth whitening, and this route may be the best bet if you want ultra-bright results that last for months (and if your budget allows), but for many of us professional tooth whitening just isn't an option.

At-home tooth whitening kits have become increasingly popular in the last several years because they are for the most part easy to use and effective. Depending on your starting tooth color, you may not get the snow-white results shown on the T.V. commercials, but you'll probably notice that these products diminish stains and give your teeth a brighter appearance.

At-home tooth whiteners aren't perfect; some are messy, some are hard to keep on your teeth, some can cause temporary discomfort or sensitivity issues. When shopping for a tooth whitener, think of how much time you're willing to spend using it, the sensitivity level of your teeth, and how the method will fit into your daily (or nightly) routine.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are the most popular form of at-home tooth whitening. White strips are thin pieces of plastic covered in whitening solution that are applied to teeth for a specified amount of time each day over a period of several days. At the end of the treatment period, you should see visibly whiter teeth. White strips vary in strength and in the time it takes to complete a course of treatment.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips (prices vary) have become the standard for at-home teeth whitening products. The original Crest Whitestrips whitening kit comes with a 10-day supply of strips which you apply to your upper and lower teeth twice a day for 30 minutes. The fact that you have to dedicate an hour a day to teeth whitening may put some people off; not everyone has the time or inclination to do this. You may also notice some white spots on your teeth at the early stages of treatment, but these usually go away in time. As far as effectiveness goes, Crest White Strips are a very good choice. They provide you with noticeable whitening in less than two weeks.

Anyone who's used whitening strips knows that it can be difficult to keep the strips on your teeth for the full 30 minutes of treatment. Strips can slip off, curl up, and generally move off the areas where they need to be. Rembrandt Form-Fit Whitening Strips are designed to adhere to your teeth so that you can get the full effects out of each whitening treatment. The course of treatment for this product is only 5 days when used once per day, so you don't have to make as long a commitment to Rembrandt as you would to Crest.

Rembrandt Form-Fit Whitening Strips are on the small side, so if you have a big, wide smile, it might not target all your visible teeth. The whitening power of these strips may not be visible until late in the treatment, and they provide subtle yet noticeable whitening results.

Whitening Trays

Whitening trays are similar to whitening strips, but some people may find they're easier to use. These flexible plastic trays are filled with whitening solution, which is included in the kit. They're shaped to fit directly over your teeth so the period you have to wear them can be a bit more comfortable. Of course, not everyone finds whitening trays to be this convenient; some trays can ooze and leak solution into your mouth.
Nite White Excel 4 ACP 16% Teeth Whitening (average price; $29.99) is a professional-style whitening tray kit that includes gel-filled syringes that you empty into the included trays. This tray whitener works quickly and promises no sensitivity, so it's great for those who have had uncomfortable experiences with tooth whitening products in the past. It's made by Discus dental, and is available for purchase online.

AquaFresh White Trays are pre-filled so you don't have to mess with drippy solution, and you get the right amount of whitener every time. Aquafresh claims that this product can yield results in 3 days, which is excellent speed for a whitening product. Users say that they did get noticeable results from these white trays, and that the trays cover more of your smile than any white strip can.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste won't give you the same dramatic results as strips or trays, but it can be used to dial up the results of your primary whitening product, and can help you maintain whiter, brighter teeth between whitening kits. Almost every toothpaste company makes a whitening toothpaste so you have a multitude of choices at your disposal.

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste lives up to Crest's reputation for producing high-quality tooth whitening products. 3D White is a gel-paste formula with a breath-freshening mint flavor that can reduce the appearance of surface tooth stains by 80% over time. Users have great things to say about this product's effectiveness.

Sometimes, whitening toothpastes can cause tooth sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, you need to get a whitening toothpaste formulated for your needs. Rembrandt Extra Whitening Toothpaste - Sensitive Teeth (average price; $6.99) doesn't contain the abrasive or acidic compounds found in most whitening toothpastes. Instead, it uses a patented enzyme ingredient called Citroxain that gently lifts stains and whitens teeth for a bright and pain-free smile.

Arm & Hammer is a respected name in household cleaning and personal care. When it comes to toothpastes, this company utilizes the natural stain-fighting and deodorizing power of baking soda to bring you a cleaner whiter smile. Arm & Hammer Complete Care Gel ($3.99) lives up to its name, scrubbing stains form teeth while it freshens breath and protects your delicate tooth enamel from everyday wear and tear.