Buying whitening products online: how to spot unsafe or counterfeit kits

What a trustworthy label shows

• The active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and its percentage
• Directions with a session length and a maximum number of sessions
• Warnings about sensitivity, gum contact, and use by children or during pregnancy
• A manufacturer name and contact details
• An ADA Seal of Acceptance, which signals the product has been tested for safety and effectiveness for its stated use (ADA)

Warning signs

• No percentage, or "up to" language with no number
• "Dentist strength" or "professional" without supervision
• Promises of permanent whitening, "ten shades in one day" or results on crowns and fillings, which cannot happen (ADA)
• Ingredients not in English or not listed at all
• Packaging that differs from the manufacturer's own site
• A seller with no return policy or contact details
• Reviews that read like marketing copy

Products that are not what they claim

Charcoal and similar products lack sufficient evidence of safety or benefit; purple pastes tint rather than whiten; LED lights have not been shown to add lasting benefit over the gel (ADA).

Who should check with a dentist first

Anyone with sensitive teeth, receding gums, untreated decay, cracked teeth, crowns, veneers or bonding on front teeth, children and teenagers, and anyone pregnant or nursing. An examination before whitening also catches problems a kit would make worse.

If a product has already caused a problem

Stop using it. Persistent sensitivity, sore or peeling gums, or pain in one tooth should be examined.

If any of these apply, this is not a dental-office problem first: trouble breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling of the face or neck, fever with facial swelling, bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury to the head or jaw. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not use the appointment request form for these.

Next step: Request a consultation or call (805) 565-5111. A request is not a confirmed appointment; the office confirms times during its listed hours (Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, plus select Fridays).