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When it comes to your smile these days, the whiter the better.

It’s a lot cheaper to bleach your teeth at home, but how safe is it?

It’s the fashion accessory that gleams from every cover shot.

The million dollar smile. The whiter and brighter the better.

At the UT Dentists Clinic, Dr. Joe Ontiveros shed some light on some new teeth bleaching products, specifically the ones that contain an LED or UV light.

“There’s not a lot of research that shows clearly whether the light has an effect or not,” Dr. Ontiveros said.

Melissa Alvarez, a dental hygiene student, tried out the $10 at-home kit.

She got a plastic tray with gel and a LED light she must use for three 10-minute sessions.

Across the room another student is being prepared for a $400 to $600 professional bleaching with zoom technology and a UV light.

A gel barrier is painted around Nym Manito’s top teeth.

“We have to protect the tissues from getting irritated,” Dr. Ontiveros said.

Dr. Ontiveros said some home bleaching agents can be too strong.

“You can irritate and burn the tissue,” Dr. Ontiveros. “Someone with gum disease the tissue can actually irreversibly shrink because of burning the tissue.”

Another issue with bleaching is that it can dehydrate the teeth, which turns them white but only temporarily.

Whether it’s a home kit or professional bleaching the results depend on each patient and the type of stain on their teeth.

“I don’t really see a big difference,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez tells us the home treatment wasn’t worth her time.

“It was kind of a nauseating taste and after having it in my mouth for three minutes it was kind of irritating,” Alvarez said.

Manito’s reaction couldn’t be more different.

After 30 minutes and two treatments, his teeth are eight shades lighter.

“I’m very happy,” Manito said.

A downside to any type of bleaching: The results are never permanent.