More on Teeth Whitening Products

Everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile. Whether your teeth have darkend with age, or are stained from smoking, or drinking dark beverages, like tea, coffee or red wine, a variety of products is available to help you whiten your teeth. Some of the more common, "at home remedies" include bleaching strips, pens, and gels, rinses, chewing gums and toothpastes. Your dentist can also help whiten your teeth using combination of bleaching agent and light energy, which accelerates the effects of the bleach.

Gel bleaching can be done with high-concentration or low-concentration formula. High-concentration bleaching uses either peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into peroxide. It can be done at home or in the dentist's office, though it is generally less expensive to do at home. The bleaching agent is placed in trays that fit onto the teeth for a short time, usually only fifteen to twenty minutes. It is important to make sure that the trays are well fitted so that the gel is exposed to the teeth evenly. The process can be repeated as many as two more times. The in-office bleaching procedure may involve painting a layer of protection on the soft tissue to prevent burns.

Because the low-concentration whitening is less effective, it is reserved mainly for home use. Low-concentration whiteners generally place the oxidizing agent on a thin mouthguard or strip that stays on the teeth for five, to as long as, fourteen days.

Tooth-whitening toothpastes restore brightness to the teeth by using small particles that grind off stains caused by the tooth absorbing food or drinks. The toothpastes does not, however, alter the color of teeth themselves. Crest, Colgate, Aquafresh and Listerine are only a few of the companies that make whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and rinses. They are the most affordable way to brighten your own smile, though they may not be as effective on severely stained teeth.

There are also teeth whitening kits available to help restore your teeth to their whitest white. The are produced by Crest, Aquafresh, Dentek, Colgate, Sephora, Rembrandt, Listerine and Luster, to name a few. Most are extremely affordable and effective. They are easy to use, but the time involved varies, depending on the product.

Generally teeth stained by medicines, such as tetracycline, require in-office whitening interventions. If you are uncertain which product to choose, the American Dental Association has published a list whitening products that they deem acceptable.