Changing the color of your teeth from a yellow color to a white one is an easy way to improve your appearance and feel better about your smile. Whitening teeth is one of the top aesthetic concerns with a number of options. When you want to brighten your smile, be sure to talk to the dentist about the best treatment for you. The dentist may recommend at home over the counter options or an in office treatment depending on the severity of your staining and how fast you are looking to change your smile.
Teeth whitening products are available in a variety of applications and strengths so you can remove surface stains in a matter of weeks or hours, depending on the treatment. There are four types of whitening treatment categories to choose from and each one will be able to help whiten your teeth to a different degree.
1. Whitening Toothpaste and Rinses
By simply trading your regular tooth paste and oral rise for a whitening version, you can rely on the abrasive materials in those to lighten surface stains. Usually you will note baking soda or hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredients to whiten teeth. Now there are even toothbrushes that are designed to help whiten teeth with their condensed bristles.
2. Chewing Gum and Whitening Strips
Sugar free whitening gum is another easy step to change the color of your teeth. When you chew gum after eating, the gum helps produce more saliva which rinses away bacteria and food debris. Also, there are ingredients in the gum to coat your teeth and prevent future stains from setting in.
Whitening strips have a peroxide based gel on a thin piece of plastic that you can apply to surface of your teeth for a certain amount of time. Depending on the type of strip you use and the instructions, you may start to notice a change in the color of your teeth after a week or two.
3. Teeth Whitening Trays
A mouthguard like tray is used to hold a whitening gel against your teeth and these are available both over the counter as well as through the dentist. The over the counter version of trays will be less customized and may be more uncomfortable because it is not designed specifically for your mouth. The concentration of the whitening agent for these trays will not be as strong as the gel available through the dentist. The instructions for use will vary depending on the manufacturer, but you can expect to see results in about two weeks. The professional version of these trays are customized by the dentist for your mouth specifically with a stronger concentration of bleaching agents to whitening your teeth better and faster than other over the counter options.
4. In-Office Dental Whitening Treatment
You can count on the in office whitening treatments to be the fastest and the most effective. You will see results after the hour long appointment and the dentist may recommend additional appointments depending on the extent of your staining and the results you are expecting. The dentist will need to protect your gums and soft tissue in your mouth from the bleaching gel and the dentist may use a special light to activate the gel once its on your teeth.