HAVING a gleaming set of pearly white teeth is a favourable trait when it comes to personal appearance.

Nevertheless, no one wants to pay over the odds for whitening treatments at the dentist’s and with shop shelves packed full of goods that promise a whiter, brighter smile, it’s
hard to know which product to reach for.

I’ve found two of the most effective, yet affordable, teeth whitening products on the market which allow you to achieve the coveted ‘Hollywood smile’ from the comfort of your own
home.

Starting with the cheaper option of the two, the award-winning Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening Gel – retailing in the US for under $10 and in the UK for around £15 – implements the same active ingredient used by dentists to gently whiten your teeth within just a few days.

Indeed, the bleaching action of peroxide in this product allows you to achieve the same results as you would at the dentist’s, for a considerable amount cheaper. Aside from price, the only difference is that the ingredients in this gel are more concentrated so there’s no need to leave it on your teeth for as long as the dentist does.

With words such as “bleaching” and “peroxide”, I was initially concerned about the damage that such a product could cause to teeth.

After extensive research and assurance from the professionals at Plus White, however, I was later guaranteed that this product has a neutral PH balance, proving it is gentle on your teeth and gums. If you experience sensitivity, you are advised to discontinue use for a few days, or until your teeth feel less sensitive.

Being renowned for their love of perfect white teeth, the most effective teeth whitening products are manufactured in the USA, including Plus White items. As a result, this brand can prove difficult to find on UK websites.Amazon.co.uk is probably the best place to look – I bought mine off there for around £10.

For more information on Plus White 5 Minute Whitening Gel, you can visit www.pluswhite.com .

Moving on to the second of my two discoveries, Crest 3D Whitestrips have received rave reviews from users. The strips are much easier to apply than the Plus White gel as they come as a thin strip of microfilm – very similar to sticky tape – which you simply peel off of the plastic backing and place over your teeth.

The Crest website states that the strips are safe to use on the enamel of your teeth as they are dental strength.

Furthermore, the strips are available in a variety of strengths including ‘vivid’, ‘advanced vivid’ and ‘professional effects’, so there are plenty of options to choose from depending on the amount of whitening you require.

Crest 3D Whitestrips are a considerable amount more expensive than the Plus White gel but they are sold in the UK, making them easier to get hold of. You can buy them from
www.crestwhite.co.uk where they retail between £34.99 and £42.99 depending on which strength you choose. However, I bought a packet of five for £10 off a private eBay seller, so
it’s worth having a look around to discover the best deals.

If anyone else has found success with teeth whitening products, I’d love to hear from you! I’m on Twitter: @LauraRachelleT or you can visit my website: www.lovelaurax.com .

For more information on these products and a tutorial on how to apply them, refer to my video above.