How to select a safe, effective and affordable at-home teeth whitening kit

*Produced by SilverKris for Just Smile*

In these pandemic times, cosmetic trips to the dentist might not be at the top of your list of essential activities. But the easing of movement restrictions has meant more reunions, business meetings and other reasons to put your best foot forward with a pearly-white smile.

Jadyn Foo, the 30-year-old Singaporean founder of Just Smile, knows firsthand that not all teeth-whitening services are made the same. “The first time I tried it, I regretted doing it. My eyes became swollen and my teeth super sensitive. I couldn’t eat at all, and it hurt to brush,” she recalls.

The experience prompted Jadyn, who was already an entrepreneur, to further study the teeth whitening market and develop a new product with co-founder Vivi Ng in 2018. “People usually complain about tooth sensitivity, cost and how time-consuming teeth whitening can be,” she shares. “We knew the product had to be fast, effective, easy-to-apply and, mostly importantly, peroxide-free and not cause any sensitivity.”

In the past two years, Jadyn has learned a lot, taking customer feedback into account and fine-tuning her product, launching the new-formula Just Smile Premium Teeth Whitening Kit earlier this year. Here, she walks us through what factors to consider when picking an at-home teeth whitening kit.

Many at-home whitening kits contain hydrogen peroxide as a key ingredient. Believed to erode stains from coffee, smoking and food, this chemical unfortunately also sensitises the enamel of the teeth. This can cause discomfort in eating, brushing and even talking. If you have sensitive teeth, a hydrogen peroxide-free whitening kit is the way to go. Founded in 2018, Just Smile’s Premium Teeth Whitening Kit uses organic peracid PAP and Violet LED to deliver its whitening effects, which are easy on the enamel and do not result in pain or sensitivity.

If you’re not comfortable going to the dentist for non-essential procedures, or if a clinic visit is too expensive and time-consuming, at-home whitening kits are a good alternative. But whitening sessions range from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the kit, and require anywhere from three to 10 consecutive days of use. Retailing at an affordable S$78, and requiring 25-minute sittings for six days in a row, Just Smile’s whitening procedure is among the least demanding in the market, while still promising to whiten teeth by 8–10 shades.

It can be anxiety-inducing to select an over-the-counter product instead of visiting a professional at the dental clinic. Two markers should help put you at ease: consumer reviews, appearing on websites other than the brand’s own, as well as certifications by government or professional bodies. For instance, Just Smile’s Premium Tooth Whitening Kit is FDA-listed and tested and certified by world-leading certification service SGS.

Finally, those with dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance or dairy-free needs, or high ethical standards when it comes to animal testing may want to read the fine-print on their teeth whitening kits. Just Smile’s offering is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Having spent two years developing, improving and verifying her flagship product, Jadyn stands by it as one that ticks all the above boxes. Just Smile’s Premium Teeth Whitening Kit is a UV light-accelerated at-home kit that reduces stains from wine, coffee, soda and smoking. The kit comprises a proprietary Dual Light Technology Device as well as three whitening pens, to be used at home for 15–25 minutes for six consecutive days.