The pros and cons of the different whitening for teeth methods

There are many teeth whitening systems available, some of which include toothpastes, strips, over-the-counter gels and molds with whitening agents and dental procedures.

The ideal candidate for teeth whitening is people who have healthy teeth and gums.  Individuals with slightly staining, such as yellow tones to their teeth, respond best to teeth whitening agents.

Let’s discuss the different on the market.

Whitening Toothpastes

The most common method sought by most people that want to whiten their teeth is whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes contain gentle polishing agents that help to make your teeth whiter due to their slightly abrasive qualities.  While somewhat effective, whitening toothpastes only whiten the surface of the teeth, as they contain no and will only whiten your teeth by approximately one shade.  Other products, as discussed below, contain a and not only whiten the surface of your teeth but also work on stains deep in the tooth.

Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips and Gels

Whitening strips and gels contain peroxide and are generally applied twice a day for two weeks.  Results can be seen in as little as a and generally last for up to four months.  My favorite teeth whitening system can be found by clicking here.

Mold or Tray based whitening

Tray and mold based whitening systems contain a peroxide-based gel which is placed in a like tray.  Generally this is worn for a couple of hours a day, but can take as long as a month or more to see the desired results.

Dentist Whitening

In-office dental whitening applies a whitening agent directly to the teeth and is usually combined with heat, a special light, or a laser, the heat from the light or laser is used to accelerate the whitening process.  Results are seen very quickly but usually this process requires several visits to the dentist.

Being the quickest method for whitening your teeth, it has one bad side-effect on your wallet! The process is expensive and can range from $200 to $500 per arch and $500 to a $1000 to get your whole mouth whitened.

Tags: teeth whitening systems, method for whitening teeth, teeth and gums, yellow tones, bleaching agent, four months, mouth-guard

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