Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure used to improve the color of teeth. The procedure works best for healthy teeth with no cavities, and gums that do not bleed. There are basically three options available for teeth whitening. These are whitening toothpastes, whitening strips and trays, and power bleaching. Many different products are available on the market for at-home bleaching and whitening treatments. However, some people prefer power bleaching which is performed by a dentist. Power bleaching is often employed as a procedure to restore the natural color of teeth in smile makeovers. All these methods are harmless and can be applied easily at home.
Whitening toothpastes are specially made for the purpose of imparting white color to the teeth. They contain certain chemicals or cleaning agents that quickly remove stains. However, since these toothpastes do not contain bleach they do not prove to be effective for severely stained or tarnished teeth. Whitening toothpastes can be used for mildly yellow teeth.
Whitening strips and trays are two different products but both are used for at-home bleaching. Again, there are countless varieties of these products and you can choose one according to your requirements. Strips are usually made of cellulose loaded with bleaching gel and are very easy to apply. You just have to peel them off and place on the surface of teeth for 15 to 20 minutes everyday.
Some strips act fast and bring positive results in a matter of days, while others show results in weeks. Gels can also be used independently with the help of a brush. Usually a two-week period is required for the treatment if you are using only whitening gel to brighten your smile. Whitening gels and strips are definitely more effective than toothpastes.
Trays are of two types: those that are custom-made at home by softening them in hot water and placing them over the teeth, and those that are provided by the cosmetic dentist during treatment. The second procedure is more expensive as it produces a perfect mold for your teeth. You can find various products in this category which consist of pre-filled trays as well as professional whitening systems for faster and long lasting results.
Whitening trays contain a peroxide bleaching agent and are therefore more effective than whitening gels or strips. All these options that can be used at home are very inexpensive and anyone can use them without any reservations. However, teeth whitening performed by a dentist also known as power bleaching, is more expensive as it requires some additional steps to ensure proper treatment.
Special instructions are given for using whitening gels, strips and trays. Hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents are not to be applied for an extended duration of time. Whitening gel can be refrigerated for longer use.
For those who are looking for a reliable teeth whitening option, power beaching assisted by a professional cosmetic dentist is recommended. The dentist uses certified and approved equipment and therefore in-office bleaching is one of the most effective ways to brighten your smile.
