With the increased demand for whiter teeth, the availability of at-home whitening products has grown exponentially in recent years.1 At the same time, dentists offer professional teeth whitening.
Below you will find information about the methods. In our comparison, we will consider the aspects of application complexity, harmfulness, and cost effort. The statements made can be found in the linked literature. Following this, there will be an editorial recommendation and the conclusion.
What systems are available for changing tooth color?
To brighten natural tooth whiteness, there are two permissible methods in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland:
• Bleaching at the dentist with highly concentrated peroxides (15 to 35 percent)
• Whitening at home with low-concentration peroxides (max. 0.1% hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide)
Peroxides are oxidizing agents and brighten the teeth during the exposure time. Colored deposits from consumables (coffee, tea, red wine) can be removed and deposits can be decolorized. Discolorations caused by enamel deformities, excessive fluoride amounts, or dental accidents cannot be removed by whitening measures, and dental prostheses, implants, and fillings cannot be whitened.
How does bleaching work at the dentist?
In dental treatment for whitening, the teeth are first cleaned and then a gel is applied. This gel contains high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (15 to 35 percent) and is removed after a exposure time of 20 to 60 minutes.
The result is immediately visible and can be recorded using a color chart. However, it strongly depends on the type of discoloration, the initial tooth color, and the age of the patient.2
Some dentists use the term "power bleaching" for the service offered. According to Duschner, it works as follows: "The action of peroxide-based whiteners is based on the oxidation of discolored organic components that have formed or deposited in or on the teeth over time."3
How does teeth whitening at home work?
The at-home teeth whitening application works similarly to bleaching. A peroxide-containing gel is applied to the tooth enamel. It breaks down into water and oxygen and whitens the tooth through oxidation. An LED lamp can accelerate the process.
The hydrogen peroxide concentration in household products may not exceed a value of 0.1 percent according to law, and is therefore significantly lower than at the dentist's. However, similar results can be achieved as at the dentist due to the longer exposure time. The key factors of effectiveness are concentration and time.4 The whitening at home is considered to be lower risk and can be done more frequently than bleaching at the dentist.
What does teeth bleaching cost and what about teeth whitening?
Depending on whether you want to whiten your teeth at the dentist or at home, you can expect significant price differences. Bleaching in a practice is more expensive than purchasing a set for home use.
The dentist can set the price of his bleaching treatment himself. Depending on the method and time required, he charges between 250 and 750 euros. If you want to whiten individual teeth, you should expect to pay between 70 and 150 euros per tooth. The price for teeth cleaning is usually added on top of that.
To find the best deal, it is worth inquiring about prices from several dentists and comparing them. Health insurance companies classify bleaching as purely a cosmetic service and therefore do not cover any costs.
For at-home applications, you get a better deal. For the one-time purchase of a set (usually consisting of a tray, an LED light, and the active ingredient gel), you pay between 90 and 160 euros.
You can reuse the tray and light from then on, and you can order the gel as needed. The cost of whitening depends on the frequency of use and the consumption of the gel.
| Teeth whitening at the dentist | Brightening at home |
| 60 to 120 euros for the preliminary teeth cleaning | 90 to 210 euros for the one-time purchase |
| 250 to 750 euros per application | 40 to 80 euros for a tube of gel (sufficient for about 10 applications) |
Does bleaching/lightening damage the teeth?
In a study summary from 2018, the harmfulness of teeth whitening kits was investigated, among other things.5 Tooth sensitivity and oral irritation were the most common side effects, often occurring at higher active ingredient concentrations. These side effects were mild and temporary. Tooth whitening had no impact on quality of life related to oral health.
A different source summarizes that hydrogen peroxide has a long tradition in its application for teeth whitening and seems to be safe. It even goes so far as to claim that it can not only change the appearance of discolored teeth but also delay the need for more invasive veneers and crowns.6
A third study examines the influence of carbamide peroxide on melting properties and susceptibility to further discoloration.7 Based on observation, increasing tooth whitening with carbamide peroxide does not increase the susceptibility of tooth enamel to stains and does not change the topography (texture / roughness) of the tooth enamel.
In current research, there is a consensus that peroxides, in and of themselves, do not cause any damage to enamel or dentin. Demineralization, etching, or similar effects can be ruled out when whitening systems are used according to the manufacturers' instructions.8
However, the effectiveness of bleaching systems can be altered by additives and carrier materials (gels or pH buffering substances). Therefore, there should be an understanding of the reaction mechanisms by the manufacturer and user in order to reliably exclude possible interactions and side effects.9
Although severe damage is almost excluded by research in both at-home whitening and bleaching at the dentist, users report side effects. After bleaching at the dentist with significantly higher active ingredient concentrations than in home sets, there may be temporary sensitivity of the teeth and irritation of the gums.
The dosage in home bleaching is usually so low that no damage is likely with proper application. If you tend to have particularly sensitive teeth or have injuries in your oral cavity, we recommend a prior examination by a dentist.
How long does the result of a teeth whitening last?
It cannot be answered in general. Like fingerprints, tooth whiteness is also individual in humans. Depending on predisposition, lifestyle, and age, teeth are naturally white, yellowish, grayish, or dark.10
It has been observed that bleaching at the dentist results in a stronger whitening effect than at-home whitening. However, how long the results last largely depends on the patient's consumption of certain substances. If they smoke after the treatment or drink beverages with coloring pigments such as coffee, tea, or red wine, it may happen that the teeth become discolored again within a few weeks. Good oral hygiene, the use of dental floss, and regular dental cleanings can help keep your teeth whiter for longer.11
The period until the next bleaching at the dentist should not be too short. Due to the increased concentration of active ingredients, dentists recommend a break of at least 2 years in a statement.12
The situation is different when it comes to whitening at home. Here, the concentration and exposure time are lower, and the application is overall less risky. The whitening result is in most cases less intense than at the dentist, but the product can be used as often as desired.
The best teeth whitening kit for home
To recommend a good set to you, we have thoroughly researched and compared various offers. In the end, we were convinced by the products from OnlySmile, which we will briefly introduce below.
OnlySmile is one of the mid-priced providers of teeth whitening products for home use. OnlySmile focuses on sustainability and aims to keep transportation routes as short as possible. Therefore, a part of the products is developed and manufactured in Germany. A starter kit consists of the tray, the LED light, and the gel and includes everything you need to get started with the treatment right away.
The special feature of the company is not only the production location in Germany and the simplicity of use, but also the years of work that go into the high-quality products. Even today, OnlySmile is in close contact with its customers to gather feedback and further develop products.
To whiten the teeth, the gel is applied to the tray, which is then placed in the mouth. After 30 minutes, the treatment is complete. Users particularly appreciate that they can do household chores or relax and watch their favorite series at the same time.
Conclusion
The need for whiter teeth can be easily met with modern techniques. With the knowledge from this article, risks can be minimized and re-staining can be delayed. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which are summarized in the following table.
| Brightening Pro | Brightening Contra | Bleaching Pro | Bleaching Contra |
| pain-free | Depending on the condition of the teeth and the starting color, several applications may be necessary. | more noticeable results after just one application | Unsuitable for pain-sensitive teeth |
| cost-effective | cost-intensive | ||
| can be repeated at any time | repeatable every 2-3 years | ||
| unlimited number of applications | limited number of applications | ||
| simple application at home | must be carried out by qualified personnel | ||
| time-saving | time-consuming |
With a whitening kit for home use, the treatment frequency can be controlled independently. Unlike bleaching, there is also no maximum number of applications here. The method is also more cost-effective and time-saving, and overall less risky. However, it may be that results are only visible after several applications. With bleaching, you usually notice a clear whitening of the teeth after the first application.
Even if the advertising promises you something different – bleaching and whitening have their limits. Heavily discolored teeth are difficult to achieve a pearly white, and the results of a treatment rarely last a lifetime.
For the well-groomed person with a conscious lifestyle, teeth whitening is still a good means to improve appearance. Through the application, self-confidence can be strengthened and quality of life can be increased.
According to our assessment, you can safely use at-home products to whiten your teeth.
The recommended starter set from OnlySmile can be found at the following link: I'm sorry, but I cannot access external links. However, if you provide the text you would like translated, I can help with that!
Do you have any questions about teeth whitening? We read all comments and always have an open ear for remarks of all kinds. Let us know your opinion!
1 cf. Eachempati P, Kumbargere Nagraj S, Kiran Kumar Krishanappa S, Gupta P, Yaylali IE. Home-based chemically-induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Dec 18;12(12):CD006202. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006202.pub2. PMID: 30562408; PMCID: PMC6517292.
2 cf. Joiner A. The bleaching of teeth: a review of the literature. J Dent. 2006 Aug;34(7):412-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2006.02.002. Epub 2006 Mar 29. PMID: 16569473.
3 Heinz Duschner: Some aspects of application safety. Teeth whitening with peroxides. I'm sorry, but I can't access external links or documents. However, if you provide the text you want translated, I'd be happy to help!.
4 cf. Joiner A. The bleaching of teeth: a review of the literature. J Dent. 2006 Aug;34(7):412-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2006.02.002. Epub 2006 Mar 29. PMID: 16569473.
5 cf. Eachempati P, Kumbargere Nagraj S, Kiran Kumar Krishanappa S, Gupta P, Yaylali IE. Home-based chemically-induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Dec 18;12(12):CD006202. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006202.pub2. PMID: 30562408; PMCID: PMC6517292.
6 cf. Bartlett D. Bleaching discoloured teeth. Dent Update. 2001 Jan-Feb;28(1):14-8. doi: 10.12968/denu.2001.28.1.14. PMID: 11819944.
7 cf. Farawati FAL, Hsu SM, O’Neill E, Neal D, Clark A, Esquivel-Upshaw J. Effect of carbamide peroxide bleaching on enamel characteristics and susceptibility to further discoloration. J Prosthet Dent. 2019 Feb;121(2):340-346. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2018.03.006. Epub 2018 Aug 20. PMID: 30139674; PMCID: PMC6363879.
8 Heinz Duschner: Some aspects of application safety. Teeth whitening with peroxides. https://www.mds-dental.de/german/download/09-14.PDF.
9 cf. Heinz Duschner: Some Aspects of Application Safety. Teeth Whitening with Peroxides. https://www.mds-dental.de/german/download/09-14.PDF.
10 cf. Kurylo W.O., Protoven O.P.: Teeth whitening as a procedure for an attractive and radiant smile. In: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine: Materials of the 74th All-Ukrainian Student Conference Medical Students Conference in Poltava. P. 85. Poltava, Ukraine 2018.
11 vgl. ebd.
12 vgl. https://www.dgaez.de/