Teeth Whitening Basics

Teeth Whitening has become extremely popular over the past few years but most people have no idea how to choose the right product for their needs. Currently, there are hundreds products and techniques on the market that make the claim that they are the best teeth whiteners and can whiten your teeth in the shortest time. Many have tried these products and the reviews range the gambit of great to utterly disappointing.

The confusion usually stems because there is no universal understanding of how teeth whitening works. Less than fifteen percent of Americans have even used a teeth whitener product and even less of them have used professional teeth whitening services offered by cosmetic dentists.

Most teeth whiteners come in two types: whitening and bleaching

Whitening is when there is an attempt to naturally restore the teeth’s surface color. This is done by removing deep down dirt and other debris embedded in the teeth. Any basic toothpaste can make the claims of being a teeth whitener by this definition alone.

Bleaching, on the other hand, is a technique approved by the Food and Drug Administration to get teeth beyond their natural whiteness and involves using a bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide.

Before we discuss professional teeth whitening and in-home kits, I would like to talk about methods of producing naturally white teeth.  There are some methods that are downright dangerous and should not be tried without consulting your doctor. Any method that you do use should have natural ingredients and make some general sense.

The best thing you can do for your teeth on a daily basis is eat apples. This is nature’s toothbrush as the apples help clean in between teeth and help keep the gums strong. As for natural teeth whiteners combining strawberries with baking soda is a natural way to get your teeth white. The acid in the strawberries acts as a cleanser which gets rid of stains caused by coffee, wine or dark colas. Do not use this on a daily basis as this could destroy the enamel of your teeth.

Most people opt to go for professional teeth whitening when it is suggested by their dentists. The benefits of getting your teeth whitened professionally are that you can get significant color change in a short period of time with only a few visits. The process usually involves applying a peroxide gel to the teeth for several fifteen minute periods over a span of an hour.

If you have teeth that are deeply stained, it could require you to come back to the dentist for several more visits, the average being three with an estimated cost of around 700 dollars a visit nationwide.

While this is an effective treatment, it can be expensive and most medical plans do not cover the cost.

The word laser has been used lately in a lot of treatment conditions ranging from eye to skin and it has a positive connotation that people feel comfortable with. But the truth is there is no true laser teeth whitening system. There are companies like Zoom and Brite who advertise themselves as laser teeth whiteners and they do work, but they use a light activated system of cleaning which is not really a laser.

Both have been known to work successfully and quickly, promising whiter teeth in an hour. Both companies certify their dental operators before they can use the equipment and the cost of a session can vary on how much work is needed to get the teeth white. Prices are usual more than the cost of other professional techniques but multiple visits are not required, so laser teeth whitening could cost you less in the long run.

Some patients have reported some sensitivity after using this teeth whitening method.

Another way to get your teeth whiter is to do it yourself. There are several products on the market as well as ones offered by your dentist that present the same level of teeth whitening. From strips that act as teeth whiteners to toothpastes that claim to have teeth whitening abilities, the dental market is filled with products that offer these claims and there is no true way of gauging which products do what they say without trying them.

The caveat “you get what you pay for” should definitely apply when choosing teeth whitening products. If you buy the cheapest product on the market that makes teeth whitening claims then don’t expect great results.

Overall, a teeth whitening kit is probably the least expensive way to go when it comes to teeth whiteners. There are two kinds; those offered by your dentist and those bought over the counter. Both use the same methods, but the devil is in the details.

Professionally dispensed in-home teeth whiteners use a low concentrate gel that stays on your teeth longer than the one in the dentist office. It is placed on the teeth through a custom designed mouthguard.

These in-home teeth whitening kits cost between 100 to 400 dollars.

Over-the-counter bleaching kits are way inferior to those offered by professionals. The bleaching agent is usually weaker and the mouthguards are one-size-fits-all which ends up only whitening the front teeth and leave the rest of the mouth lacking.

Overall, if administered properly, teeth whitening is a relatively safe procedure, but there are certain risks that have been associated with teeth whiteners.

Bleaching has been known to cause sensitivity in teeth to touch and temperature. Most of these sensations have only been temporary.

Peroxide whiteners have also been known to cause gum irritation due to contact with the bleaching agent.

Teeth that have been restored due to crowning and bonding tend to kept their color despite the whitening of other teeth which tends to have the effect of having multi-colored teeth.

The video below offers some information on teeth whitening.