Teeth Whitening Options - Convenient Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Teeth whitening is an excellent way for people to change their smile and get a little self confidence boost. There are numerous options that are easy, affordable and offer excellent results. Toothpastes, in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching and whitening strips are some of the many different ways being used today to whiten teeth. Each has it’s own positives and negatives.

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
Unlike other whitening products, toothpastes do not contain special agents to bleach the teeth. The toothpastes contain mild abrasives and stain-fighting agents to help remove stains. They will help to remove the buildup of stains from coffee, tobacco and other staining foods, but will not actually whiten the base color of your teeth. Some individuals report some tooth sensitivity when using whitening toothpastes, but the occurrence is low.

In-Office Bleaching
This option offers the best result in a short amount of time. This procedure is done at a dental office and is usually done in about an hour and a half. Many different methods can be used including gels, light or combinations of the two. The procedure can be a bit more expensive but the immediate results help to make it worth the cost.

At-Home Bleaching
This option involves the use of special trays and gels. They can be bought over the counter or from a dentist, but the trays and gels provided by a dentist are far more effective. The gel from a dentist will be far more powerful and the trays will be custom made, allowing for better comfort and higher efficacy of the gel. The gel is placed into clear plastic trays, which are then worn on the teeth according to instructions. Some are worn over night and others are worn for just a few hours.

Teeth Whitening Strips
These products can be found almost anywhere and almost every oral hygiene company has their version. They are somewhat inexpensive and are very easy to use but only some of them work. The bleaching agents used in the strips are generally the same ones used by a dentist but in a far lower concentration. At times, this makes results almost unrecognizable.

Certain precautions and considerations should be taken prior to beginning a whitening treatment. The bleaching agent in most products is a peroxide that bleaches the enamel. The concentration of the ingredient is what determines the results and how fast they are obtained.

Percentage concentrations can range from 5% up to 33% depending on the product and procedure you are using. Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of bleaches and the occurrence of the sensitivity increases with increased concentration of the peroxide.

Tooth fillings, crowns and bridges will not lighten with your teeth when bleaching is done. Tooth whitening doesn’t give the same results to everyone. When using a plastic tray to bleach teeth, a tray made by the dentist will prevent leakage of the gel from the tray and reduce gum irritation.

It is necessary to have all needed dental work done prior to beginning your treatment. All cavities should be filled and a person with gum disease should not use whitening gel. Results will not be permanent. Stains will eventually return over time. Use of tobacco, coffee and dark soda will cause stains to return faster.

Tooth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile that is affordable and helps give you the movie star smile you want. Consult your family dentist with any questions you may have about which treatment is right for you.