Teeth Whitening

There are a wide array of ways to whiten your teeth. Some of the ways include whitening systems and products such as whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, trays and whitening products that can be provided by your dentist. A good candidate for teeth whitening is one who has healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums. If one has teeth with yellow undertones teeth whitening could probably be most beneficial for you. However, if you have sensitive teeth, dental restorations, very dark stains or a single dark tooth, or lots of fillings of crowns then you should reconsider whitening your teeth at home. It would be best to get your teeth whitened by your dentist. Whitening products that are used at home tend to have peroxides, usually carbamide peroxide, which can range in amounts from 10% to 20%. It is recommended to choose a product with a peroxide level in the midst of that range. However, if the whitening results aren’t up to par with what you want then you can obtain a higher level. Any questions you have your dentist can answer and guide you to find the best whitener for you.

Whitening toothpastes are known to remove surface stains due to the fact that they contain mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes even contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. This tends to be a cheaper alternative than other whitening methods, but not as effective. Whitening toothpastes are usually made with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which lightens the color of the tooth. On the other hands, prescription strength whitening provided by your dentist can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter while whitening toothpaste can only make your teeth one shade lighter.

Another alternative for teeth whitening are whitening gels. This alternative is clear, peroxide-based gel which can be administered with a small brush which is directly put on the surface of your teeth. Instructions vary depending on the strength of the peroxide. You can see results within just a first couple days of usage and final results will show within a couple of months. You can acquire whitening strips and gels from your pharmacy, dentist, or online.