Home Tooth Whitening

Home Tooth Whitening Options

Home tooth whitening is a popular choice for people who want to increase their confidence and improve their looks with a whiter smile. It is more convenient and much cheaper than dental procedures like laser tooth whitening.

All tooth whitening products use peroxide to get the job done. This is the same chemical dentists use in their offices to perform tooth whitening treatments. However, while dentists use a 35% solution, at-home versions of the treatments use less, usually as little as 10% strength. The peroxide cleans both the surface of the tooth and the layer beneath the enamel for a deep clean and a whiter smile.

Strips

Tooth whitening strips apply the peroxide to one side of a sticky strip of tape. This tape is placed directly on the teeth, wrapping from front to back. It is worn for a set amount of time, as little as half an hour. A two-week regimen is usually recommended. Rembrandt Whitening Strips and Crest WhiteStrips are two popular brands. Whitening strips usually cost $20-30, and they’re widely available at drugstores, discount retailers, and grocery stores.

Paint-On Products

In these home tooth whitening products, the peroxide is applied directly to the teeth with a brush or other applicator. For instance, Rembrandt Brightening Gloss is applied with a sponge-tip applicator, and Colgate Simply White Clear Whitening Gel is applied with a brush once or twice a day. The bleach then stays on the tooth until it wears off. They’re easy to use and typically cost about half as much as the whitening strips. They’re also easy to find in drugstores, discount retailers, and grocery stores.

Trays

Trays are a slightly more cumbersome way to whiten your teeth at home. A bleaching solution is placed inside plastic trays and the trays are worn on top of the teeth. They may need to stay in place for a few hours or overnight. This is a more thorough bleaching solution since it reaches every single tooth, a feat strips can’t accomplish and is difficult to achieve with brush-on products you must apply yourself. Trays may irritate the gums more than other bleaching products because of the way they sit over the teeth. They must also be created by a dentist, so they’re also a more expensive option, costing anywhere from $300 to $500.

Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from the teeth with gentle abrasives. Most major toothpaste brands like Crest, Aquafresh, and Colgate offer whitening versions and they’re available from any store selling health and beauty products. This is the easiest way to add home tooth whitening to your beauty regimen. There are no extra steps involved; simply replace your current toothpaste with a version meant to whiten. It’s also certainly the cheapest option, costing $2-4 at most stores. However, while they can slowly whiten your smile, toothpastes can’t produce the same dramatic effects as bleaches because they simply don’t clean as deeply. They also don’t actually bleach the tooth surface. They can be helpful for stain-removing maintenance after a bleach treatment.

Whitening Tips

• If you have any questions or concerns, or experience problems with home tooth whitening, talk to a dental professional.
• Follow all instructions carefully to avoid irritating or damaging your mouth.
• Use caution if you have sensitive teeth. You may need to use the product less frequently or not keep it on your teeth as long as instructed.
• Bleaching may cause tooth sensitivity, but it’s usually a temporary side effect. If it becomes bothersome, consult your dentist.
• People with gum and mouth disease, women who are pregnant, and those whose teeth are stained by a medication should not use over-the-counter bleaching products.
• Once you're created a blindingly white smile through strips, bleaches, or creams, don't sabotage your own efforts. Avoid new stains by quitting smoking, laying off the coffee, or staying away from red wine.