Because teeth whitening has become very popular, there are hundreds of products that all claim to give you whiter teeth in a very short time. But results can vary, and sometimes the difference is dramatic.

Unfortunately, one disturbing trend we’ve seen in 2010 and expect to see in the future is the proliferation of “free” teeth whitening scams. Usually, the consumer reads an incredible story about how a “stay at home mom” looking to save money combined two “FREE” trial products to create a winning combination. Sounds too good to be true? It is.

What happens next can only be described as the consumer being led down a deep and dark rabbit hole. Although the teeth whitening products advertised actually do contain whitening formula, the products are usually knockoff versions. Worse, the company selling the “$1 to $3 dollars” free trial usually charges the consumer 14 to 21 days later a hidden fee of $80 to $120 dollars per order!

But the pain doesn’t stop there. What the consumer doesn’t read in the fine print is that after 30 days, unless she cancels she will again be billed for the same amount. Canceling is almost impossible as the consumer is lead in circles with phone reps.

When buying any product online, not just teeth whitening products, the consumer should always realize that when a deal is too good to be true, it probably isn’t. A realistic price for at home teeth whiteners should usually  cost between $20 to $200 depending on the teeth whitener and whether there might be a sale.

Before purchasing a teeth whitening, we recommend you read our “2010 Teeth Whitening Products Ratings & Reviews“  as we have narrowed the field of teeth whiteners down to several popular brands, with an concise summary of each product.

- The Whitekit.com Editorial Team