They say if it can stain a t-shirt, it can stain your smile. While your enamel can typically resist stains better than fabric, the constant exposure to things like coffee, berries, and wine adds up, getting into the pores of the teeth and discoloring them. But that doesn’t mean your dazzling smile is gone forever.
Enter Auraglow. They have multiple whitening kits to choose from, but their pre-filled trays stand out for their superior convenience. They open the pores in your teeth, break up set-in stains, and lift them out — all from the comfort of your own home.
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Pros & Cons of Auraglow
Auraglow pre-filled trays are a safe and convenient way to whiten your teeth by several shades. However, they aren’t perfect. Here are some of their biggest advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind.
Pros of Auraglow
- You don’t need to measure out gel or clean the trays, eliminating multiple steps typically required for teeth whitening using trays. This makes the process faster and easier to complete at home, on the road, or even at the office.
- The formula contains an 11.2% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which is very powerful for an over-the-counter product. Most at-home whiteners with hydrogen peroxide have a 6.5% concentration or less.
- The gel tastes pretty pleasant, masking the taste of peroxide. And it won’t spread around the mouth, preventing chemical burns.
- You get a semi-custom fit if you use the trays correctly. While it cannot match actual custom trays, it does help get the gel into the crevices between your teeth.
Cons of Auraglow
- In the long run, you’ll spend more than you would with most other tray-based kits since the trays are not reusable. While the trade-off of convenience might make it worth it for some, others will prefer to keep costs low.
- They come in sets of seven treatments, so if you just need 1-3 treatments for a touchup, you have to buy a whole new box.
Effectiveness
Teeth whitening trays are one of the most effective methods to brighten your smile. That’s why professional at-home kits almost always use them. The trays ensure the gel stays on your teeth for the prescribed amount of time, unlike pens, which allow it to wash away. That, combined with Auraglow’s powerful formula and the longevity of their results, makes for a highly effective treatment.
Their pre-filled whitening trays use a gel with an 11.2% hydrogen peroxide concentration.
This is one of the strongest gels available direct-to-consumer. The average at-home whitening product has a 6.5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide or less, so Auraglow offers some serious whitening power. With that kind of strength, you should see excellent results on most stains.
Auraglow states their products whiten the teeth by up to ten shades in seven days.
While other products say they can achieve an 8-10-shade difference, they also have a standard 14-day treatment window. But just because a company claims their products can achieve certain results doesn’t mean they will. The results will be different for each person.
However, Auraglow offers some peace of mind. They’ve put their products to the test. And in this study, their original gel:
- Delivered results to 100% of participants after a single use.
- Whitened smiles by up to 10 shades.
- Didn’t cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
This all sounds promising, but you should take it with a grain of salt. First, the company did the study themselves, and independent studies are typically much less biased. Second, the pool of test subjects was just 27 people. And third, this study used their 35% carbamide peroxide gel — their pre-filled trays use a hydrogen peroxide solution. Although their support team assured us that these two formulas are of equal strength and effectiveness.
Results can last up to a year.
However, most people will notice a little dullness returning after about 3-6 months, depending on their habits. If you enjoy a daily cup of coffee (or three), you’ll notice the staining returning sooner than someone who sticks with water. Auraglow suggests maintenance treatments about every six months.
This is somewhat problematic with the pre-filled trays, since maintenance usually requires just a couple of trays, and they only come in packs of seven. Each tray is individually sealed, though, you should be able to just store the extras away to use next time.
Affordability
One major draw of at-home whitening kits over in-office treatments is their price — you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Auraglow is more affordable than some of their direct competitors, but sticker price is just one element to consider when you’re evaluating affordability.
Auraglow pre-filled trays cost $45, which is pretty average for at-home teeth whitening.
For that $45 price, you get 14 pre-filled trays — seven for the upper teeth and seven for the lower ones. While this kit lacks some of the fancy extras their other products offer (like an LED mouthpiece in their complete kit), its goal is simplicity. You get everything you need to brighten your smile — no more, no less.
Single use trays are less cost effective than kits with reusable equipment.
Since you need to repurchase the trays for each treatment rather than simply refilling them, single use trays are typically a more expensive option in the long term. But for many people, the added convenience is worth the extra expense.
Auraglow backs all their products with a 30-day risk-free guarantee.
As their website puts it, “If it doesn’t give you the smile you’re looking for after 30 days, you get your money back. All of it. It’s that easy.” This policy takes the risk out of trying a new product. If it’s not for you, you’ll get a full refund.
Quality of Ingredients
The results a whitening kit delivers depend on the quality of its ingredients. All reputable products should have an active whitening agent plus dental-grade supporting ingredients that help it do its job, and Auraglow’s ingredients are top-notch.
Auraglow pre-filled trays use hydrogen peroxide — the most common active ingredient in teeth whitening products.
Given how ubiquitous it is, you can have confidence that it’ll do the job. However, it’s harsher than carbamide peroxide, which is what every other Auraglow kit uses.
A few other ingredients bolster the whitening agent. They’re all dental-grade and commonly found in whitening products. These are:
- Glycerin: Dehydrates the enamel so the peroxide can more easily enter the pores.
- Propylene Glycol: Keeps the gel in liquid form and dissolves the other ingredients.
- Xylitol: Fights plaque to prevent stain build-up.
- Carbomer: Keeps the gel in place, helping it coat all surfaces of the teeth.
- Mentha Piperita Oil: Helps mask the flavor of the hydrogen peroxide, making the gel more pleasant.
- Triethanolamine: Ensures that the gel spreads evenly.
- Aqua: Keeps the gel hydrated so it can glide over the teeth.
These ingredients are gluten-free and kosher, making their pre-filled whitening trays accessible for more people than many other kits.
Convenience
When it comes to convenience, few teeth whitening methods can compete with pre-filled trays. There is no gel to measure, no boil-and-bite for fitted trays, and no molds for customized ones. So Auraglow is going to be more convenient than most pens, strips, and even other trays.
There are three steps to using Auraglow pre-filled trays: open the packages, put the trays on your teeth, then suck them against the teeth and peel off the backing.
Beforehand, you will need to clean your teeth using fluoride-free toothpaste, but this is a standard step for all whitening products. Once you suck the trays against your teeth, maintain the pressure for about 30-60 seconds. After this, they should have formed a mold, keeping the gel in direct contact with your teeth surfaces.
You’ll wear Auraglow’s trays for 30 minutes.
However, if you have sensitive teeth, you can cut this in half. Each kit comes with seven trays, and you’ll use one per day for a week. If you’re just trying to maintain the color of your teeth, you won’t need the full seven days. Two or three should be just fine.
When wearing your Auraglow pre-filled trays, you can do chores or other things around the house.
The trays are a bit bulky — thinner than a mouthguard but thicker than clear aligners — which could affect your speech. Once you are done with your session, just pull out the trays and throw them away. You can rinse your mouth, but avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes.
Comfort
Using whitening trays can always be a little awkward. At the very least, expect a little lisping and a bit of extra saliva production. But some kits are more comfortable than others, and even though Auraglow isn’t the absolute most comfortable option available, their trays are still relatively unobtrusive.
Auraglow says its products don’t cause sensitivity, but their formula doesn’t have ingredients that prevent it, and the peroxide percentage is high.
Just based on this, we believe there’s a possibility that you’ll experience sensitivity if you already have somewhat sensitive teeth. If you try their pre-filled trays and notice tooth pain, wear them for 15 minutes instead of 30 and take a day off between sessions. In any case, know that this sensitivity is temporary and does not require medical treatment.
The gel’s taste and texture are pretty non-offensive.
Auraglow’s formula contains mint extract, which helps hide the powerful flavor of peroxide. The gel itself is somewhat gooey but stays within the coverage of the trays, so it won’t fill your mouth or burn your gums and oral tissues. The trays are slightly bulky but less than the trays in Auraglow’s LED kit.
What Are Customers Saying?
While the complete Auraglow system has thousands of customers and plenty of detailed reviews, their pre-filled trays have not earned the same following just yet. We’re looking forward to seeing what users have to say about this kit and will update our article as more reviews come in.
Final Thoughts
If a brighter smile is your goal but you aren’t interested in measuring gel and rinsing trays, Auraglow pre-filled trays might be perfect for you. They are effective, easy to use, and comfortable, all while eliminating a variety of stains.
Of course, it isn’t your only option. Check out our review of the best at-home whitening kits to compare the top products available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What advantages do whitening trays have over strips and pens?
Whitening strips and pens are both more common than tray-based kits. However, strips often slip out of place, which means you can swallow the gel before it fully acts on the teeth. The gel from whitening pens can wash away almost instantly, save for the rare formula that hardens on the teeth, creating a film. They also don’t make it easy to whiten all your teeth. Most trays cover all the teeth, even the molars.
Why should I choose pre-filled trays over reusable ones?
Basically, pre-filled trays make things easier for you. You don’t need to measure out the gel, you don’t need to rinse the trays, and if you misplace one, it won’t throw off your treatment. So, you might be wondering why anyone would go with reusable trays. It’s often because they’re more affordable in the long run and give you more control over the teeth you target. Some options are even fully customized to your teeth.
Are there any tips for staying comfortable while wearing my teeth whitening trays?
Yes. First, guard against dry lips by applying a good lip balm before inserting the trays. If you dislike the gel’s flavor, put a small dab of fragrance under your nose, since smell and taste are closely linked. Beyond that, just find ways to keep yourself entertained while you wait for your whitening session to finish.
How soon will I see results when using whitening trays?
It depends on the formula and how your teeth respond. With that said, many people see results after just 1-2 treatments and achieve full results in 7-14 days.
Are there risks in whitening your teeth at home?
If you purchase a legitimate product and use it according to the directions, you shouldn’t have any issues. The biggest risk with most teeth whitening products is burning the gums and soft oral tissues. However, this typically happens with trays you fill yourself — it isn’t very likely with pre-filled trays.
Can I combine my Auraglow pre-filled trays with another whitening product, like a pen?
You can use pens for touch-ups once your Auraglow treatment is complete. However, you should not use both at the same time as this can damage your enamel.
My smile used to be bright. What happened?
The answer is different for everyone, but it is usually a combination of habits and aging. Your enamel thins as you age, letting the yellow dentin show through — and this isn’t a stain, so whitening products won’t help. If you consume a lot of heavily pigmented foods and beverages, you can develop set-in stains, which whitening kits can address.
Are whitening trays safe to use with braces?
Generally, no. Trays can break fixed appliances like braces. There are some kits specifically designed for people wearing braces, but they cannot whiten the area of the tooth below the bracket, so the results will be uneven.
Are whitening trays safe when pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn’t much research on this. Speak to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician to get more direct guidance.
Do whitening trays work on cosmetic and restorative dentistry?
They can help eliminate surface stains but they will not change the color of the material itself.
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