Types of Tooth Whitening Systems

There are many teeth whitening systems available today. Some options available include whitening toothpastes, over the counter gels, strips and trays and whitening agents that you get from your dentist. If you have healthy, un-restored teeth and gums then at home teeth whitening can be an excellent choice. Those who have yellow tones to their teeth can expect to see the best results the fastest. However, cosmetic dentistry procedure is not recommended for everyone. Consider the types of teeth whitening systems available today to determine if tooth whitening is right for you.

First in the teeth whitening systems is toothpastes. Toothpastes work to remove surface stains since they have mild abrasives in them. Most teeth whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents and give you additional help in remove surface stains. Whitening toothpastes are only effective against the slightest of surface stains. Since teeth whitening toothpastes don’t contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide they won’t be able to remove stains that are deep within teeth. For those that need one shade of whitening then toothpaste can work well. In comparison, a light-activated teeth whitening system done in your dentists office can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.

Then there are over the counter teeth whitening strips and gels. Most of these teeth whitening systems contain a clear, peroxide based gel which can be directly applied to the surface of your teeth with a small brush. Most have instructions that require you to apply it twice a day for fourteen days. You will typically notice the first results within a few days and then the results will last for about four months. These fourteen day treatments will cost about fifteen dollars.

Strips are a thin piece of material that are nearly invisible and are coated with a peroxide-based teeth whitening gel. You apply these strips twice a day for thirty minutes for a period of fourteen days. You will typically see results within a few days and results last about four months. For a fourteen day treatment, strips will typically cost you between ten and fifty-five dollars.

Next is a tray based teeth whitening system. These over the counter products can also be purchased through your dentist. With this system you fill a mouth guard like tray with a teeth gel whitening solution that contains a peroxide bleaching agent. You wear the tray for a period of time, about a few hours each day during the night for about four weeks or sometimes longer depending on how deep your stains are and what level of teeth whitening you want to achieve.

Lastly there is the in office whitening system done at the dentist office. This is the quickest and most effective method of teeth whitening. Bleaching at the dentist office requires the teeth whitening product to be directly applied to the teeth. You can use these products along with heat, special light or laser treatments. Light and heat help accelerate the teeth whitening process. Typically a one, thirty or sixty minute’s treatment is enough to see results. However, several appointments are necessary if you want to see dramatic results. When you opt for laser teeth whitening you will get immediate and dramatic results after just the first treatment. However, these systems can cost from two hundred to a thousand dollars a month.