We’re confident most of you wouldn’t douse your teeth in Clorox to attain the perfect shade of whiteness, but it’s always useful to know what to look for in specially-formulated teeth-whitening systems.

“The at-home whitening systems that use peroxide are just as effective – but not as fast – as office treatments, which combine peroxide and a light or laser,” according to Allure.com. “Avoid trays that were not created with a mold of your mouth – the peroxide can leak out and irritate your gums.”

Beyond this, it’s always a good idea to reach only for products that have been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). You wouldn’t want to take medicines or vitamins that hadn’t passed safety standards, so why take risks with your teeth?

Lastly, it’s important to stick to a product you find manageable. Strips and professional whitening systems are among the most effective do-it-yourself products, but many people prefer to whiten up in other ways – check out Supersmile Whitening Floss or Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum if you’re curious.