Celebrity dentist and creator of RxBright Jennifer Jablow, DDS, gave HOMMEGROOMING the scoop on getting whiter teeth at home—without spending a fortune or ruining your smile. Here, she reveals why more isn’t always better when it comes to bleaching your teeth and how movie stars get perfect smiles.

What is the safest way to whiten your teeth at home?
Custom trays made by the dentist gives the safest and best results.

Is it dangerous to use whitening products all the time?
Whiteners should always be used in moderation. Whitening too often can cause sensitivity and make the enamel chemistry change. You can become more vulnerable to staining because it never has a chance to recover. It’s best to use my patented peroxide-free intelliWHiTE Stain Eraser in between whitenings.

How often can I safely use whitening strips?
I recommend using one two-week treatment every two to three months max.

How does peroxide work?
Peroxide breaks down into active oxygen and goes into the tubes of the teeth to remove built up stains. If used in moderation it is very safe.

There are so many whitening toothpastes, rinses, gels, pens and strips out there, what should I use?
Of the over the counter products available at your drugstore, Crest Whitestrips are the best—but all of the drugstore products have drawbacks.

My toothpaste says its whitening but I’ve been brushing for months but they are still the same shade of mellow yellow. Why aren’t they getting any whiter?
Most pastes that claim to be whitening just remove surface stains from your teeth…it isn’t actually whitening them. The paste should list hydrogen peroxide in its ingredients for it to truly whiten.

How can I get movie star white teeth like George Clooney?
He had porcelain veneers done recently.

What’s the difference between the at-home white strips and the treatments in a dentist’s office?
The in office treatment is 35% peroxide and can be done in 45 minutes. The at-home strips are about 6% peroxide and take two weeks to get similar results.

Why are my teeth so damn sensitive after using whitening strips?
The store-bought strips are not custom shaped to your teeth and contact gum tissue slightly. If you use Sensodyne toothpaste for a week before you start whitening and while you whiten, your teeth won’t feel so sensitive.

I drink a lot of red wine and coffee, and I smoke like a chimney. Are my dreams of having white teeth ruined?
Not at all. Just use my intelliWHiTE Stain Eraser right after drinking or smoking and the stain will instantly be captured and buffed away!

What is the biggest mistake guys make when they try to whiten their teeth?
They overdo it!

intelliWHiTE Stain Eraser, $19.99, visit Rxbright.com