Did you know there are dozens of online teeth whitening scams out there? These companies use deceptive ads and low-quality products that do not meet industry standards in order to make a quick dollar off of consumers. So how do you know that what’s legit and what’s not? Follow our guide to shopping online for teeth whitening products.
What’s Legit?
Dentist-Approved
The safest way to buy an online teeth whitening kit that you can trust is to get one that is recommended by an industry professional — your (or a) dentist. If the teeth whitening application is praised by your dentist, you know it’s safe and effective.
Trusted Brand Names
You wouldn’t choose a no-name brand for your facial products, so why would you for your teeth? When it comes to teeth whitening products, you should always use a trusted brand name. If you’re not familiar with the professional grade brands, then it’s recommended to talk to your dentist to get more information.
Clearly Labeled Ingredients
If a product doesn’t clearly advertise their ingredients online, then you shouldn’t purchase it. For teeth whitener to be effective, it has to contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as an active ingredient. These ingredients remove the stains on the surface along with deep stains that toothpaste fails to remove. Avoid any products that don’t have these ingredients included in the labelling.
Effective Methods
As mentioned above, you need a peroxide to properly whiten the teeth. Many illegitimate teeth whitening schemes will replace the peroxide with less effective ingredients like baking soda or charcoal to save money. If you’re not sure if one of the ingredients being advertised is safe or effective, contact your dentist before purchasing.
Safe Levels of Ingredients
You also want to make sure that you’re buying a product that has safe and effective peroxide levels. Although higher levels of peroxide can equate to whiter teeth, too much can be harmful. Levels above 10% hydrogen peroxide and 35% carbamide peroxide can be dangerous and cause damage to your mucous membranes and skin. You could argue that professional grade levels are often high, but these are properly administered by a dentist. When buying online, it’s wise to stay around the 10% and 35% marks to be safe.
How to Avoid a Scam
Check for Industry Approval
It’s not very complicated for a marketer to start a teeth whitening business. In fact, there are a number of manufacturers in China and overseas that sell OEM whitening products online that are not tested for safety or effectiveness. Before you put bleach or any other chemical into your mouth, be sure to check if the product is approved by a real dental association or the Food and Drug Association.
Avoid Free Trials
Many of the online teeth whitening scams have one thing in common — they offer free teeth whitening trials. These may seem like a real bargain, but in reality, they are only a scam. Be wary of companies that advertise a free trial but require you to submit your credit card number. Many companies will start to charge your card if you do not cancel the “subscription.” If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
Check the Better Business Bureau
The BBB accredits companies based on trust. They provide you with information about a business and their actual performance. You can also find out if a company mistreats customers or is a scam. Before you purchase from an online source, you should always check if they have been accredited by the BBB.
Read the Fine Print
Always read the fine print. Many sites will offer free trials or other benefits but won’t disclose the conditions on the site. Before you hand over your personal details and credit card information, you should read the fine print regarding the billing terms.
Skip Online and Get a Take Home Kit Instead
You don’t have to order online to get a teeth whitening kit to use at home. At Rockcliffe Dental, we offer top-grade teeth whitening kits that you can take home and use anytime. During your visit, we’ll create a mould of your teeth to create a custom-fit treatment to use at home. Then we’ll provide you with a professional-grade whitening solution that is far more reliable and safer than the over-the-counter and online varieties being sold today. You’ll get noticeable results in only 14 days!
Why stress about finding a legitimate online source to get your teeth whitening from when you can simply schedule a visit with us at Rockcliffe Dental? Contact us today to learn more about our customer at home kits!
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