If just reading the words “teeth whitener” makes your pearly whites tingle, this review is for you. I just celebrated my 18th year as a beauty editor and during my career I’ve tried thousands of products. One of these categories is teeth whiteners. Some are insanely expensive, pain-inducingly professional (like the pain-worthy one I had before my wedding), some involve ugly home lights that take up counter space and look like they’re from outer space and feel a little too time-consuming to make it part of your routine, and others are pastes that marketers swear will remove coffee for life and wine stains after just one brush (we wish!). I’ve tried them all and what I’ve found is that the ones that give the best results are usually the ones that cause some discomfort. And while some say beauty is pain, there’s nothing worse than tooth sensitivity.
A few weeks ago, I met with Made By Dentists. And, as their name suggests, they are an oral care company created by sisters and dentists Drs. Lisa Creaven and Dr. Vanessa Creaven. In 2016, the two women sold their practice to work on innovating the oral care market. A few points of difference: their tubes are made from post-consumer recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. They do not contain SLS, parabens, DEA, propylene glycol or triclosan, which are still found in many of the biggest oral care brands. and they do not test on animals.
Their kids’ rechargeable electric toothbrushes and quirky toothpastes are emblazoned with green monsters, blue sharks, and purple aliens (my toddlers love them), and their adult products are stylish, reasonably priced, and sold at Target and Amazon. Their Sonic Toothbrush is under $100 and my husband’s new favorite (he replaced a much more expensive brand with this one, I swear).
Then I tried their new one Teeth whitening powder. After 18 years of seeing new products, I rarely come across something I’ve never heard of before or something I’m really excited about — but when this landed on my desk, I was really intrigued. The powder’s white container reminded me of the dry powders that skin care brands make so that consumers can add them to their favorite cleansers for a boost of exfoliation, and apparently, that’s what it does to your teeth.
The dental duo created the powder using three whitening ingredients that work to oxidize stains: phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (PAP), hydroxyapatite and diamond dust. You simply dip your toothbrush (with your regular toothpaste on it) into the powder, or you can sprinkle some on your brush with your fingers for a whitening boost that’s safe enough to use up to twice a day. Any new form is fun, so I was excited to try it out. The packaging is minimal so I was okay with storing it next to my current electric toothbrush. I bubbled up my paste as usual, then dipped it in the fine white powder and started brushing. There is no obnoxious aftertaste or scent (just a subtle minty freshness) and my brushing experience was normal (no sandblasting going on here) and it washed away. After about a week of use, I could see a difference in the whiteness of my smile. The best part? Others noticed it too. My mom asked me what I did differently. I’ve been sending her home whitening treatments for years, but she’s always too nervous to use them, fearing they’ll aggravate her already sensitive teeth. Not this one. And unlike many of the abrasive whitening treatments (remember the aggressive charcoal craze?) that can actually damage your enamel, this powder is microfine, not abrasive.
My parents always preached to me the importance of good oral hygiene. I’ve never missed a six-month cleanse and, humble brag, I’ve never had a cavity. While I may still do a profesh whitening treatment every few years, as an at-home product, this powder takes the cake. Priced under $25 on Amazon, it’s small, easy to use, and highly effective. Here is a photo of my smile after the powder was incorporated after a few weeks. Hot tip: The right nude lipstick for your skin tone also helps your teeth look brighter. I feel very ready to “say cheese” in my vacation photos.
