Teeth whitening products whiten your smile using what once was a cosmetic dental procedure, at home. Peroxide, the chief ingredient in teeth whitening solutions is what makes the teeth whiter, it does so by bleaching the enamel. The strength of the whitening solution is based on the peroxide concentration that can be either 10%, 16%, or 22%. Before using any teeth whitening solutions, consult a dental professional as bleaching teeth is not suitable if the gums and teeth aren’t healthy. Therefore, getting a routine checkup is a must to ensure that bleaching products don’t detrimentally affect oral health.
Here are some of the common types of teeth whitening products on the market:
1. In-office bleaching
Getting an in-office bleaching procedure is the quickest and most effective method to whiten teeth. In this technique, the dentist directly applies the whitening solution to the teeth. It can be used along with heating treatments such as a laser. One can notice the results in the first sitting itself. The appointment for this kind of teeth whitening procedure last 30 to 60 minutes. While this method delivers dramatic results, it is equally expensive.
2. Teeth whitening trays and gels
As compared to in-office bleaching, teeth whitening trays and gels take a little more time to deliver satisfactory results. These clear trays are to be worn for a couple of hours a day or overnight. The process has to be repeated anywhere from three days to a few weeks before teeth actually begin whitening. Teeth whitening trays and gels can be bought over the counter or from the dentist. However, the ones purchased from the dentist deliver faster and lasting results. This is because the trays are custom-made, i.e., they will fit the patients’ teeth perfectly. Moreover, the bleaching agent, peroxide is more potent. On the other hand, OTC trays and gels are available in standard sizes that could spread the bleaching agent to the gums, causing irritation.
3. Teeth whitening strips
Easily available in drugstores, teeth whitening strips are comparatively cheaper than in-office bleaching and teeth whitening trays and gels. These might take a longer time to work depending on the on the strength of the peroxide formulation. The whitening strips should be applied to the teeth according to the instructions mentioned on the label.
4. Teeth whitening toothpaste
Teeth whitening toothpaste comprises mild abrasives, i.e., special polishing agents that remove surface stains. These whitening solutions help scrub the stains but don’t bleach the teeth like other methods. Teeth whitening toothpaste is ideal for people who don’t suffer from severe teeth discoloration. Hello Charcoal Toothpaste, Supersmile Professional Teeth Whitening Toothpaste, Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste, Crest 3D White Whitening Therapy Enamel Care Toothpaste, and Colgate Optic White Stain-Less White Toothpaste are some popular teeth whitening toothpaste brands.
Apart from the options stated above, the market is rife with new teeth whitening products including whitening dental floss, mouthwashes, and chewing gums. There isn’t much research or customer feedback to support the claims made by the manufacturers of such products. However, these are not expected to be as effective.
