Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

Kody, 39, was casually scrolling Instagram last year when she came across an ad shared by a Miami-based dental clinic. “20 porcelain veneers for just $4,900!” it read. The price felt impossible to ignore. Her teeth had shifted years after wearing braces as a teenager, and compared with the typical $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth, the deal sounded too good to be true.

It was.

Kody says she wasn’t offered anesthesia. Her bill had a mysterious $6,000 additional charge. And the bright, natural-looking smile she thought she signed up for—well, the teeth were large, blocky, and too big for her mouth. Her bite was slightly off, and years later, she needed two root canals. “All you can do is kind of sit there in horror after [the veneers] have already been applied,” she says.

“Veneer regret,” says cosmetic dentist Dr. Jon Marashi, DDS, is at an all-time high, with revision cases making up the majority of his Los Angeles practice. Search “veneer horror story” or “veneergate” on TikTok, and you’ll find countless videos from patients documenting painful procedures, oversized teeth, mounting corrective costs, and the emotional fallout of permanently altering smiles they now barely recognize as their own.

Over the last decade, social media has transformed hyper-white, perfectly symmetrical teeth into an aspirational status symbol—the dental equivalent of Instagram Face. In 2026, veneers are less corrective dentistry and more a social signal of polish and wealth. But as beauty culture increasingly swings away from hyper-optimized and back toward individuality, many patients are beginning to question whether the pursuit of “perfect” teeth came at the expense of looking like themselves at all.

For decades, veneers were largely associated with celebrities, television personalities, and wealthy people whose careers depended on appearance. But in the post-pandemic era—an age shaped by selfies, FaceTime, TikTok, and constant self-surveillance—the demand for a “perfect” smile has surged far beyond Hollywood. Cosmetic dentistry has increasingly been folded into influencer beauty culture, marketed less like a serious medical procedure and more like another aesthetic upgrade. An industry report claims that the dental veneers market reached $2.65 billion in 2025, and is predicted to grow to $2.82 billion by the end of 2026.

The issue isn’t necessarily that cosmetic dentistry has become more accessible. It’s that veneers, which require shaving of your enamel before insertion, are often sold online as a shortcut to transformation, with little discussion of their permanence, upkeep, or risks. The result is an era of cosmetic carelessness where many patients are rushing into drastic procedures to achieve a version of perfection that may not even feel aspirational a few years later.

Jamie*, 41, understands that realization intimately.

At 27, she decided to get veneers after surviving a life-threatening car accident that left cracks running through her two front teeth. “I always had this thought that my two front teeth were just going to crack open and just fall out,” she says. Wanting a quick fix, she searched Google for cosmetic dentists in her area and booked an appointment with the first highly rated provider she found.

About $40,000 later, she walked out with 12 “blindingly white” porcelain veneers. They immediately felt wrong. The veneers didn’t match the color of her natural teeth and felt too large for her mouth. Over time, she says, they caused severe nerve pain and discomfort, necessitating an additional $30,000 of corrective work. “They were awful,” she says. “Any time I would smile, which was very rare, you would be able to tell, like ‘Wow, this girl has really bad veneers.’”

That pressure has only intensified alongside social media, where dramatic before-and-after transformations routinely go viral, pushing an agenda of sameness. It’s exactly why Amy Lou Wood’s teeth on The White Lotus got so much attention, or society celebrates Margaret Qualley’s smile—uniqueness is hard to come by. We’ve reached a place where dramatic smile transformations appear both casual and attainable. The result is that veneers can begin to feel deceptively low-stakes.

In reality, veneer creation and insertion is an art form. Teeth need to be shaved down. Porcelain needs to be crafted with a realistic appearance in mind. And technical skill is just as paramount as artistry. In the States, the result is an exclusive, highly expensive barrier to entry, pushing many interested consumers abroad, where work is nearly half the price. But cutting costs often means cutting corners. Singer Kehlani revealed in a 2022 TikTok video that she felt her veneers, which were done overseas, were “too white,” “square,” and made flossing impossible. "The amount of long, expensive dental work you are going to need after you go this route is five or six times the amount," the singer said. "Dental work can not be one of the things where you sacrifice quality because of price."

Patients should look for a licensed dentist in the United States with strong training in cosmetic dentistry, “Ideally someone who has completed continuing education focused on aesthetic restorative work,” says New York City-based cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei, DDS. “Membership in professional organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) can also be a positive indicator, although what matters most is consistent clinical experience and proven results rather than titles alone.”

Perhaps the most alarming regret, however, doesn’t come from botched work at all. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, extremism often trumps moderation, and with it a degree of permanence that may never have been necessary at all. “A lot of the regret stems from people getting work they probably didn’t need in the first place,” says Dr. Richard Lipari, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Chappaqua, NY. He notes that concerns like mild discoloration or small spacing issues can often be treated through whitening, bonding, or orthodontics instead.

Influencer Alix Earle has spoken candidly about experiencing that feeling after a dentist persuaded her to get ten veneers instead of the two she originally requested. “It was really scary for me,” she said in a TikTok video last summer. “I was like, ‘What did I just do?’ I had such good teeth and, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I have to keep up with this for the rest of my life.’”

That permanence is part of what makes veneer regret uniquely emotional. Veneers often require lifelong maintenance once the natural enamel beneath them has been altered. Patients aren’t simply regretting a beauty decision—they’re reckoning with the fact that they permanently changed a part of themselves to meet a beauty standard that may already be evolving.

“For a minute, big, white teeth were kind of a fad like bell bottoms—at one point, they couldn't make the bell bottom flare wide enough, just like teeth couldn't be big or white enough," Dr. Marashi says. Now, he says, the pendulum is beginning to swing in the opposite direction. More patients are coming into his office asking for softer, more natural-looking smiles that better fit their faces. “All these years later, people want to look like themselves again,” he says.

For Kody, that realization arrived only after the damage had already been done. She has since reported the Miami clinic to the Florida Department of Health and says it is currently under investigation. Now, when she talks about veneers, she urges people to slow down before making permanent decisions in pursuit of temporary beauty trends.

Unlike most aesthetic trends, your natural teeth don’t simply grow back once they’re gone.

*Subject's name has been changed to protect her privacy

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet The Experts

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

Flossing used to be a hard sell. Or at the very least, harder to sell. But seemingly overnight, the once invisible child of dental care has gone from a time-consuming (and slightly annoying) daily task to a high-tech, chic part of your total oral care routine.

What changed? Well, interest in dental care has steadily increased, in part because of its connection to the ever-buzzy wellness space. According to Spate beauty analyst Jenny Zeng, oral care has seen a 19 percent year-over-year search increase, with oral products dominating as a key trend. The rise in interest has led to better flossing products. “A lot of these [new] devices are easier, faster, and more comfortable to use than traditional floss—especially for patients with dental work, orthodontics, or sensitive gums, “ says Los Angeles-based cosmetic dentist Jon Marashi, DDS.

According to experts like Dr. Marashi, the increased demand for flossing products is a very good thing. Ahead, they explain why flossing is so critical, best practices for a healthy mouth, and the products you need to add to your oral care routine (don't worry—I tested several).

The Benefits of Flossing

As you probably know, flossing is critical if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Dr. Marashi notes that your toothbrush cannot reach in between your teeth or below the gum line, where plaque, bacteria, and food debris tend to accumulate. When plaque sits there, it will harden to tartar, which subsequently causes inflammation, bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession, and cavities between the teeth.

Diane Melrose, MS, professor of clinical dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, adds that flossing is vital in preventing gum disease (also known as gingivitis), which will eventually turn into periodontitis and increase the risk of losing bone around the tooth—or the entire tooth. “[Flossing] really helps in preserving your teeth and smile so you can have a healthy mouth," says Melrose.

Gum disease also puts you at risk for other health issues, she notes, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and even Alzheimer's.

Flossing Devices vs. Traditional Floss

The biggest benefit to these newer flossing devices, says Dr. Marashi, is convenience, making it more likely that you'll actually take the time to floss. “If something is easier to use, patients are simply more likely to do it regularly." Water flossers, for example, use pressure and irrigation to give gums a deeper cleanse and be gentler for sensitive mouths. They can also be the better option for those with patients, implants, veneers, or more extensive dental work.

“The best flossing method is often the one a patient will actually stick with long term,” says Brad Bailey, DDS, New York City-based dentist at Tend Dental.

But if you love your traditional floss, no need to toss it out for something newer and more high-tech. Melrose says that the tried-and-true method still has its advantages, such as getting that “C” curve needed to thoroughly cleanse deep beneath the gum line. Tools like the electric flosser, where the string is straight across, might make you more prone to cutting your gums as you won’t be able to curve the string as easily.

When in doubt, experts actually recommend using both methods for a thorough floss. “If you can do both, that's better,” Melrose says. “Do your string floss and then if you want to shoot some water in there with the water flosses, go for it.”

As for best flossing practices, Dr. Marashi says that you should be flossing once a day, preferably before you brush to loosen debris and plaque and allow the fluoride from your toothpaste to reach more effectively between the teeth. But you’ll also want to make sure that you have the right technique. Dr. Bailey says that you’ll want to guide the floss below the gumline and wrap it around each tooth in a “C” shape as opposed to just aggressively snapping it into the gums. “The key is gentle, controlled technique,” he says.

While experts agree that flossing a few times a week is better than never doing it, they stress the importance of doing it every day for the best long-term benefit. “Gum inflammation can begin surprisingly quickly when plaque is left undisturbed between teeth,” explains Dr. Bailey.

If you’re looking to level up your dental game and reach a flawless smile, below are 10 of the best flossing devices on the market.

The Best Flossing Devices

Before You Floss, Don't Forget to Brush

A stellar oral care routine obviously requires the best toothbrush and toothpaste. Keep these products on hand to complete your morning and night regimen.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

After years of back and forth, I finally bit the bullet and got grillz. Being raised in a religion where jewelry was prohibited—Seventh Day Adventists, please rise—meant that my introduction to ornamentation was limited. Still, I was always fascinated by the way the people around me wore their pieces. From necklaces to rings and even anklets, seeing stacks of gold decorating someone’s body always felt like a bold declaration of sensuality, confidence, and agency. It was a self-assuredness that my pre-teen self couldn’t wait to have one day.

That day arrived a few weeks ago, when I sat in the middle of Manhattan's Flatiron District on an overcast morning designing my first pair of grillz. Leading up to the decision, I’d been on a years-long journey of self-discovery, kick-started by a mental health episode a few years ago. Through therapy, I learned that I wasn’t doing the best job of recognizing my wins, and I set out to do something just for me. What better way than with custom jewelry?

I’m far from the only one who’s had that thought. From artists like Shaboozey, who wore a turquoise and diamond-encrusted pair to the Met Gala, to juggernauts like Beyoncé, who has flashed them in music videos and in her famous Instagram photo dumps, some of the most creative minds of this generation have made grillz a part of their artistic identities, only adding to the cool factor that the pieces already possess.

But for all their visibility, they still carry a surprising amount of baggage. It didn’t take long for me to find it on social media: a young woman whose father called her grillz “ghetto;” a retail worker who had to explain to her white customers that the grillz she makes aren’t “weird” or “quirky,” but cultural; algorithm-served suggestions for “non-ghetto” grillz. The criticism felt familiar in a way I couldn’t immediately name. The deeper I looked, the more I understood why.

I was born in Jamaica, and for Caribbean immigrants like me, grillz connect to something much older than a trend. They’re an inheritance that stretches across the Black diaspora, and connects us directly to the traditions our families carried with them when they came to this country. So what started as a personal celebration became something bigger: a journey into where grillz come from, who they belong to, and why they still aren’t given the respect they deserve.

The tradition of Black women adorning themselves with intention has a long history, and journalist and media personality Blake Newby carries that history with her every day, she tells me. “I was raised in Houston, so when I was growing up, grillz were everywhere." Newby, who got her first set two years ago, says grillz are an extension of her love of jewelry. She traces it back to her family roots in Detroit—a city steeped in its own hair and beauty culture—as well as her upbringing in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Black Pentecostal denomination known for its striking presentation culture.

“When you look up COGIC Easter, you’ll see Black women wearing massive hats, brightly-colored skirt suits, and proper pantyhose,” Newby says. “My grandmother was one of those women.” For her grandmother, that attention to how you present and express yourself had always extended to jewelry. She “believed that a lady always had earrings in...those are the beliefs about ornamentation that I've had instilled into me.” Jewelry and accessories, she tells me, “are one of the many ways we as a people have made something out of nothing. Especially in a country where so much of the way we look has not only been policed, but also outright taken from us.”

She’s right. Long before today’s C.R.O.W.N. Act—a legislative framework intended to prevent race-based hair discrimination that is still struggling to get passed on a federal level—there were the Tignon Laws of 1786. Looking for ways to differentiate freed Black women from the rest of society, deter interracial marriage, and curb the accumulation of wealth and power in the Black community, New Orleans’s governor, Esteban Rodríguez Miró, signed the law into rule. It forced Black women to wear tignons, the head wraps that enslaved women wore while being forced to labor in the fields.

The women of the time, of course, met this absurdity with style: decorating their headwraps with jewels, feathers, and other accessories, turning an oppressive mandate into yet another way to beautifully adorn themselves. It was their way of asserting agency in a society that was doing everything in its power to strip it away. “No matter how we were forced to look or act, something that Black people across the diaspora have always maintained is our ability to make something with nothing,” Newby says. “Grillz, and our love for accessories at large, are such a great example of this spirit.”

Back in Flatiron, my jeweler Nathaniel McPherson—who is Guyanese—was tracing that history back even further. “I’ve had family members who have had gold teeth all my life, but it wasn’t for fashion or aesthetic purposes,” he said as we worked on my design. “They got it for medical purposes.”

In the 1950s and ’60s, gold was much cheaper in the Caribbean than it is now, so much so that it wasn’t unusual to use it for dental work like root canals or full-tooth replacements. When the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was signed into law, an influx of Caribbean immigrants made their way to New York City, spurred by the economic downturn in the region following the collapse of the colonial plantation economy. One of those immigrants was McPherson’s uncle, Claudis Carmichael, who came to the United States in 1986.

“Jewelry is a way of life in Guyana,” Carmichael told me, showing me a ring he’d gotten from his mother. “Pieces are passed down from generation to generation.” Gold is naturally plentiful in the country, along with diamonds and, as recently discovered, oil. Carmichael recalls friends growing up who made the dangerous but potentially lucrative journey into what he called the “gold bushes,” mineral-rich stretches of land throughout Guyana’s rainforest terrains. The risks were steep: landslides, malaria, robberies. Many people, he said, never made it back. But the gold that made it home was woven into everything, including people's teeth.

When we dove into old family photos, the golden teeth were everywhere: his sister’s flashing through a grin on her wedding day; Carmichael himself in the early aughts, lovingly staring at his nephew as gold glimmered from his mouth; his mother-in-law, lovingly referred to as Granny, with necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, all made from Guyanese gold.

As Caribbean immigrants settled in the States, gold teeth evolved from a medical practicality into a fashion statement. Then a man named Eddie Plein—a New York City jeweler who would come to be known as the godfather of grillz—took them mainstream, transforming the practice of having one or two gold teeth into mouths full of metals, diamonds, and gems of varying styles, all adorning the teeth of some of the most influential figures in the city, including Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. The style skyrocketed even further once Plein took his creations to the South.

Then came the backlash, because in America, when Black people make something popular, judgment is rarely far behind. For years, grillz were labeled “ghetto” or “unrefined,” dismissed as a byproduct of hip-hop culture. That narrative held until white celebrities like Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber started wearing them in the 2010s. Fashion houses followed, using grillz to add “edge” to their runways and collaborating with jewelry designers to bring their visions to life, all without crediting the community that created the style.

Grillz were suddenly cool, but even as they crossed over, the stigma never fully lifted. There are still those who believe the presence of metals in the mouth looks “unpolished,” and nowhere is that more apparent than the dental industry, according to Natera Wilson, a recent graduate of Howard University’s College of Dentistry. “I’ve gotten lots of negative comments about the metals that I wear on my teeth, not only on social media, but also in many dental institutions,” Dr. Wilson says. She has multiple pairs of grillz—a collection that grew during her years in dental school, along with her fascination with the use of metals for orthodontic care. “Not only was it frowned upon amongst my peers, but there have even been instances of opportunities being threatened for anyone trying to embrace that part of the Black aesthetic."

Growing up in Indiana without many people to look to for community, Dr. Wilson found it elsewhere: on screen. It was the movie B.A.P.S. that introduced her to the world of the Black American Princess, and with it, the allure of gold. “Seeing Nisi, played by Halle Berry, and Mickey, played by Natalie Desselle, made me want to be just like them,” Wilson says. “It wasn’t imagery that I saw frequently, and when I spotted their golds, I was hooked.”

Dr. Wilson had always wanted to be a dentist, but it wasn’t until she entered the industry that she realized how stigmatized gold still was, and how little that stigma had to do with science. Gold, she discovered, is actually a far superior material for dental work than many popular alternatives, including porcelain and zirconia.

“When used for tooth repair, gold has a lifespan of 20 to 40 years, but I’ve known people who have had theirs for 50, 60 years,” Dr. Wilson says. “It’s one of the longest-lasting and most biocompatible materials that can be used in this space, as not many people in the United States are allergic to gold.” By comparison, porcelain and Emax crowns—the industry’s go-to alternatives—only last 10 to 15 years. “There is no medical or scientific research that points to gold being less appropriate to use for dental work than any other material. So its lack of availability is widely due to attitudes and beliefs held in the industry.”

But Dr. Wilson intends to do something about that. As she prepares to return to her home state, she plans to open a practice that combines her love of grillz with her medical expertise, one that will offer her community more agency in a space already fraught with medical distrust. “I would like to see patients be offered all alternatives and be given a choice in the materials that they want used in their care,” she says. “Not only have numerous people told me that they didn’t even know that gold was an option that could be used to fix their teeth, but others have even told me that they’ve been flat out denied when they’ve asked their care providers. I want to change that.”

I’ve had to do a lot of work to deconstruct my own mind from the racist ideals I internalized by way of being born in a former slave colony. My grillz started as a simple act of self-celebration, but as I’ve worn them around New York City this spring, I’ve come to see them as something bigger.

It is a love letter to my culture, my country, and the Black American community I had the privilege of growing up in. It's a way of honoring the sacrifices my ancestors made so that someone like me could have agency over something as personal as the way she adorns her body.

And if that isn't striking gold, I don't know what is.

Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

I’ve been hyper-aware of tooth staining for as long as I can remember. Between a near-daily Diet Coke habit, coffee, and the occasional glass of red wine, keeping my teeth looking white has slowly become less of a night-before-a-big-event concern and more of an ongoing maintenance task. Add in the fact that I developed mild dental fluorosis as a kid—a condition caused by excess fluoride exposure that can give teeth a speckled appearance—and I’ve probably spent more time thinking about tooth color than the average person.

Over the years, I tried basically everything. Whitening pens that somehow made the white spots on my teeth stand out more. Strips that worked but left my teeth so sensitive I avoided ice water for days. Toothpastes that promised a dramatically brighter smile and mostly delivered, well, minty breath. Eventually, after a lot of trial and error (and more than a few late-night CVS runs), I realized successful whitening only comes with consistency. That’s something cosmetic dentist Oscar Sanchez of Apa Aesthetics says patients often misunderstand. According to Dr. Sanchez, getting noticeably whiter teeth at home comes down to using peroxide-based formulas over the long term—not quick fixes.

That mindset shift honestly changed how I approached whitening altogether. A blindingly white smile shouldn't be the goal—a healthy, brighter smile, without enamel damage or increased sensitivity, should be. Ahead, everything worth knowing about at-home whitening according to cosmetic dentists, plus the products Team MC actually reaches for when stains start creeping back in.

Start With the Basics

To this day, my routine always begins with a whitening toothpaste. While toothpaste alone won’t dramatically change the shade of your teeth, it can help remove surface stains and maintain brightness between whitening treatments. I've tried dozens, but Sensodyne always ends up being my front-runner. It's one of the few sensitivity-friendly products that still leaves my teeth feeling clean and looking white without painful zingers.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses Sensodyne Clinical White Stain Protector Toothpaste.

Don’t Skip the Floss

I used to hate flossing as a kid. Now, I’ve finally come around to its benefits. Flossing plays a major role in preventing buildup and staining between the teeth—areas a toothbrush simply can’t fully reach. And honestly, whitening your teeth while neglecting to floss is a little like applying a full skincare routine without taking your makeup off first.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth before it hardens into calculus (also known as tartar)—the yellowish buildup that can only be removed professionally. Over time, that buildup can contribute to discoloration, cavities, and gum irritation, all of which can make teeth look duller or less bright overall (not to mention more susceptible to stains). So if you want your whitening products to really shine, it's best to just floss.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses COCOLAB Cocofloss Mint Floss.

The Tried-and-True Strips

Whitening strips are probably the category I’ve experimented with most over the years because they’re easy to use, accessible, and very effective when done correctly, thanks to the peroxide-based formulation. That said, they’re also the easiest to overdo. As Dr. Sanchez says, overusing whitening strips or leaving them on longer than directed can actually backfire, increasing irritation and sensitivity.

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter uses Crest 3D Whitestrips in Sensitive White.

Try the LED Route

Of all the at-home options, LED kits tend to feel the most similar to the in-office whitening experience. Most systems pair peroxide-based whitening gel or strips with blue light technology, designed to enhance the whitening process and accelerate the breakdown of stains on the teeth. Research on LED-assisted whitening remains somewhat mixed, but some studies suggest that combining blue light with hydrogen peroxide may improve visible whitening results over time. That said, peroxide is still doing most of the heavy lifting when it comes to breaking down discoloration.

Don’t Underestimate Mouthwash

Mouthwash is definitely more of a maintenance step than a dramatic whitening treatment, but I always notice a difference when I keep one in rotation. As Dr. Sanchez explains, consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to whitening, and honestly, whitening mouthwash feels like the perfect example of that mindset. It’s less about instant results and more about helping prevent new staining from building up over time.

Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano uses Colgate Optic White Advanced Teeth Whitening Mouthwash.

How Does At-Home Whitening Work?

Most whitening products don't technically scrub stains off your teeth the way people think they do. Instead, they rely on peroxide-based ingredients—usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—that penetrate the enamel and break apart stain molecules caused by coffee, wine, smoking, aging, and, unfortunately for me, years of Diet Coke.

“The whitening process is essentially a chemical reaction that lightens both surface and deeper intrinsic stains, rather than just scrubbing the tooth surface,” explains cosmetic dentist James Heaton of Smiles of Chandler. Most at-home systems are designed to work gradually over several days to a few weeks, which helps minimize sensitivity while still delivering visible results.

What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Teeth Whitening Product?

If you’re shopping for whitening products, the ingredients that matter most are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. According to both dentists, these are the gold-standard whitening agents that actually break down staining within the tooth, not just temporarily polish the surface so your teeth look brighter for an hour.

“In over-the-counter products, hydrogen peroxide is typically present in lower concentrations—around three to 10 percent—while carbamide peroxide products generally range from about 10 to 22 percent, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide over time,” says Dr. Heaton. When it comes to in-office treatments, dentists use 15 to 40 percent peroxide levels. Because of the higher concentration, isolation methods are used to protect your gums from burns to the soft tissue.

That's why peroxide levels matter so much when you're shopping for whitening products. If a formula doesn't contain some form of peroxide, it's likely doing more surface-level stain removal or temporarily brightening your teeth's appearance rather than delivering the kind of longer-term whitening most people are actually after. As for other actives, it’s also worth looking for formulas that include ingredients like potassium nitrate, a nerve-calmer that blocks pain signals, and fluoride, which creates a protective barrier, both of which can help reduce sensitivity during the whitening process.

What Type of Teeth Whitening Product Should I Look For?

As a rule of thumb, Dr. Heaton suggests lower-strength strips and gels for mild staining and maintenance, and dentist-dispensed trays for stronger, more controlled concentrations. Any of the options above are great starting points—particularly the whitening strips that contain peroxide—and by supplementing them with proper oral care, including mouthwash, floss, and toothpaste, you'll be on your road to whiter, brighter teeth.

Dr. Sanchez also warns against trendy “natural” whitening products that avoid peroxide entirely. If a formula claims to dramatically whiten teeth without hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, he says it’s a red flag. “Some of these trends can be ineffective at best and damaging to enamel at worst.”

And unfortunately, the damage usually comes from the exact thing that makes these products feel like they’re “working” in the first place. Many peroxide-free whitening powders and charcoal formulas rely on abrasive ingredients that physically scrub at surface stains rather than actually breaking them down chemically. Sure, teeth might look a little brighter immediately after use, but over time, all that aggressive scrubbing can start wearing down enamel. And once that outer layer gets compromised, teeth can start to look duller and more yellow.

Can I Over-Whiten My Teeth?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to overdo your at-home teeth whitening, especially in a short time frame. “The biggest misconception is that more is more,” says Dr. Sanchez. And honestly, a slower approach is a good thing. If you’ve ever gone too hard with whitening strips before a wedding, vacation, or big event and spent the next two days wincing every time you drank cold water, you already know what I’m talking about. Dr. Sanchez notes that aggressively overusing whitening products doesn’t necessarily make teeth whiter faster—it just increases the risk of irritation, gum discomfort, and sensitivity.

That said, occasional whitening treatments used as directed typically won’t damage enamel. According to Dr. Heaton, the bigger issue tends to be overuse. “Overuse can temporarily dehydrate the enamel, making teeth appear chalky or translucent and, in some cases, exacerbate microscopic surface changes that increase sensitivity,” he explains. The good news: That dehydrated funky look is usually temporary and often improves once you stop whitening and allow the teeth to rehydrate naturally. As for the signs you’re overdoing it, Dr. Heaton says to look out for persistent sensitivity, gum irritation, teeth that suddenly look translucent, and uneven or blotchy whitening.

“The key is moderation—whitening should enhance a natural shade, not push teeth beyond what the enamel can comfortably tolerate,” says Dr. Heaton. When in doubt, he recommends consulting your dentist, who can help determine what’s appropriate for your goals.

FAQs

How long does at-home teeth whitening take to work?

Dr. Heaton says most at-home whitening systems are “designed to work gradually over several days to a few weeks,” which helps minimize sensitivity while still delivering noticeable brightening.

Does whitening damage enamel?

According to Dr. Heaton, peroxide-based whitening products are generally considered safe when used as directed. A published study from the NLM found there is “no evidence” that peroxide-based whitening causes significant long-term damage to enamel, though temporary sensitivity and dehydration can occur with overuse. Dentists are actually more cautious about highly abrasive whitening products—like some charcoal powders or gritty polishers—which physically scrub away surface stains rather than chemically breaking them down. Over time, aggressive abrasion can gradually wear down enamel which will cause teeth to look duller or feel more sensitive.

Why do teeth feel sensitive after whitening?

Teeth can feel sensitive immediately afterward because whitening can dehydrate the teeth for a bit, Dr. Heaton explains. During the whitening process, peroxide passes through the enamel, exposing the inner part of the tooth temporarily which makes the nerve inside more reactive. (Even though it sounds scary, this process has been studied and confirmed to be safe!) This is why cold water, sweets, or even air can zing after a treatment. Gum irritation can happen too, especially if stronger formulas are overused or whitening gel sits on them too long. Thankfully, the sensitivity is usually temporary and calms down once the teeth rehydrate naturally.

What stains teeth the fastest?

Coffee, red wine, tea, soda, smoking, and deeply pigmented foods are some of the biggest culprits behind tooth discoloration over time. Both dentists explain that these stains tend to build gradually, especially when those foods and drinks become part of your everyday routine. So while the occasional iced latte probably isn’t ruining your smile, years of daily coffee runs can definitely start to catch up with your enamel.

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Your mouth is having a moment. From the rise of high-tech, stylish flossing routines and statement grillz to the backlash against veneers, oral care is no longer limited to the dentist’s chair. It’s part wellness practice and part personal style. In Marie Claire’s first-ever Teeth Week, we’re exploring why dentistry feels cooler—and more culturally loaded—than ever.

You can floss religiously, use the high-end toothpaste, and still watch your gums bleed in the mirror, because hormones don’t care about your oral hygiene routine. That's because almost every physical, emotional, and cognitive aspect of your body is affected by hormones—and that includes the mouth. Oral health and hormones are directly correlated, even if you're not clocking the connection. Take pregnancy gingivitis, a gum inflammation that makes gums highly sensitive and tender and affects up to 75 percent of pregnancies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “But it's far from the only dental issue that plagues younger and older women, initiated by hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause,” says Ellie Phillips, DDS, a dentist and educator based in Austin, TX.

“Sex hormones affect every system of the body,” says Alisa Vitti, author and founder of FLO Living. “It's not just the hormones, it's how the hormones—in the case of your oral health— affect your immune system, your bones, your soft tissue, that triggers the disregulation. Hormones are just the signals to these systems.”

So, how do these hormones affect the mouth? Well, there are a lot of relevant symptoms. Some of the most common hormone-related damage include bleeding or inflamed gums, ongoing cavities, bad breath, and the sensation of dry mouth. Gum issues tend to be one of the most common changes, though, says Jennifer Plotnick, DMD, founder of Grand Street Dental in Brooklyn, NY, who notes that “puffiness” or more fragile and irritated-looking gums during hormonal shifts, like pregnancy or even a menstrual cycle, are also common.

“Something that I’ve noticed is an increased occurrence of erosive spots or brown spots on the teeth, particularly near the gum lines, which could indicate a shift in our pH, which we know is a phenomenon that happens throughout our body during [aging],” says Dr. Plotnick. In other words, every part of the mouth is susceptible to oral care woes, and these issues only become more frequent with age.

While many individuals—and even doctors—may put the blame solely on hygiene habits, Dr. Phillips says that’s not the case. You can do everything “right” and still experience dental problems due to the changes in the mouth’s underlying biochemistry. “Hormonal shifts affect the entire oral environment, which explains why prevention for women’s oral health should be less about mechanical "cleaning" and more about strategies to support healthy saliva and a healthy mouth microbiome,” says Dr. Phillips. Luckily, those strategies don't require massive lifestyle changes, but they are important to consider, especially with age.

In 2025, an extensive study published in the Journal of Dental Sciences tracked hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life and their correlation to dental health. The article noted that significant changes occur from puberty to menopause, finding that puberty can exacerbate gingivitis (notably independent from dental plaque), pregnancy can lead to “gingival inflammation” and “transient tooth mobility,” and menopause is associated with dry mouth, “altered salivary flora and accelerated bone loss, all of which contribute to the worsening of periodontal disease." The scientists in the study recommend a collaboration of care—from dentists to general practitioners to gynecologists—to optimize comprehensive care for women at every stage of their lives.

Even with this research, though, there are still significant debates surrounding and questioning the connection between menopause and dental health (yet another instance of women's health not receiving enough research). One medical advisory board, specializing in menopause and women’s health, was asked to comment on this story and politely declined, noting the “lack of sufficient solid data.”

But it's undeniable that women statistically have more dental troubles than men, and that those occur earlier in life. That's despite National Health Interview Survey data showing that women, from teens to later in life, outpace men in dental care. Essentially, women make into the chair on a more regular basis. “Only as men age, as their saliva dries, do the statistics start to become similar,” says Dr. Phillips. So if women are generally better at taking care of their teeth—and don't just wait until they're having major issues—why are the outcomes overall worse?

For one: saliva. Yes, your spit is an important natural defense system, and when it’s compromised, dental issues follow. “Healthy saliva neutralizes acids, delivers minerals into enamel, and controls harmful bacteria,” says Dr. Phillips. “We need saliva to replace lost minerals that become dissolved from our teeth every time we eat and drink each day.” She adds that the best way to nurture saliva is with a diverse diet of nutritious foods, small amounts of xylitol (a naturally occurring sugar substitute derived from birch trees, used in many chewing gums), and adequate mouth resting. (Don't worry—more on “mouth resting” below.) However, saliva levels can still shift with hormone changes.

“When mouth acidity is associated with less saliva, these conditions fuel additional negative changes in the mouth microbiology, which predispose women to more cavities and enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, bad breath, and aggressive gum infections,” says Dr. Phillips. “In addition, women’s hormone fluctuations can dampen her body’s immune response to infection, allowing a more aggravated response in the gum tissues, causing bleeding and swelling that can lead to even more plaque accumulation, loosening teeth, and aggressive gum disease.” (Fun!)

While more research is needed to clarify the connection between oral health and menopause, it’s clear that hormones influence the state of your mouth—gums, teeth, saliva, and everything in between. But while the stats may seem scary (who knew spit could make such a difference in your teeth?!), the steps to take in order to avoid them aren't super drastic. A few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference for your teeth and overall oral microbiome. Here are a few of the most notable things to incorporate in your daily routine to ward off hormone-related woes and keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy, no matter what stage of life you're in.

Time Your Appointments

Pain is an often-overlooked issue in the dental care space—at least when it comes to hormone issues—and unfortunately, there is a very real connection between mouth sensitivity and menstruation. “The worst time to go to the dentist is during your bleeding week,” says Vitti. “Gums tend to bleed more and you have a lower threshold for pain.” The best time to go for a cleaning or procedure, if you can, is during the follicular or ovulatory phase, she notes. Try using a tracking app to help with scheduling.

Hydrate (and Breathe) Properly

“Staying hydrated is more important than we think, says Dr. Plotnick. “I like to splash a little coconut water into my filtered water to increase electrolytes,” she adds. Additionally, she suggests using mouth tape at night and reducing mouth breathing (both during the day and while sleeping...hence the mouth tape). While the data is still out as to whether this technique can help to snatch your face, it does deserve attention when it comes to avoiding mouth breathing at night.

Don’t Brush Too Often

It may sound surprising coming from dental professionals, but you shouldn’t brush your teeth more than twice a day. “Over-cleaning and flossing can lead to bad breath, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and possibly permanent tooth or gum damage,” says Dr. Phillips. And when you do brush and floss, make sure you're gentle yet thorough—no need to attack those gums and make inflammation worse.

Keep An Eye on Changes

In general, if you’re not pregnant and it’s just a normal fluctuation, you may notice inflammation for a week or two. Then it should return to normal, says Dr. Plotnick. “Just like if you have a cut in your mouth or you burn the roof of your mouth with pizza, it will heal naturally on its own—and surprisingly enough, really quickly,” she adds. If you notice something long-lasting and it’s not healing on its own, that would be an indication to have a dentist check it out, she says. “Everything heals in 10 to 14 days,” notes Dr. Plotnick. So if a problem persists beyond that, it’s time to check in with your dentist.

Try “Mouth Resting”

“One of the most effective ways for women to overcome these unfortunate hazards is to pattern their eating and drinking each day to allow saliva adequate opportunity—after every meal—to coat and heal their gums and teeth,” says Dr. Phillips. “I call this mouth resting.” It is a time of no snacking, no sipping, no drinking—not even water. This interval should extend for an hour or two after every meal, she says.

Use Xylitol Products Frequently

“Chewing gums with xylitol will signal salivary glands to fire up just from the simple act of chewing,” says Dr. Plotnick. Dr. Phillips is also a big fan of xylitol, noting that it can help mineralize teeth, promote healthy mouth bacteria, and reduce plaque damage and formation. Dr. Phillips recommends chewing gum, or mints if you prefer, after meals. Dosage is very important though: one to two grams of xylitol, up to five times a day, after meals, for a total of between five to 10 grams per day.

She notes that just two to 10 minutes of chewing is adequate, then spit it out, and try mouth resting for one to two hours. While mouth resting, saliva stimulated by xylitol will neutralize damaging mouth acids, help rebuild teeth, promote healthy mouth bacteria, and limit damage from plaque, she says. Dr. Phillips says in “small, oral-health-focused amounts, xylitol is safe during pregnancy” and can “help women avoid damaging hormonal-induced dental problems.” But double-check with your doctor just to be safe. Also, it’s worth flagging that xylitol is extremely toxic to pets, particularly dogs, so store xylitol gum or mints out of their reach.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts