Teeth Whitening 101
Everyone wants to look appealing, and one thing that is sure to supplement your looks is a bright smile. There are so many factors that keep your teeth dull, including bad oral hygiene, eating staining foods, among other things. However, with the right solutions, you can make your teeth a shade brighter. Here is how teeth bleaching works and some of the most popular teeth whitening options available.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Many teeth whitening products contain a peroxide ingredient that bleaches the enamel to make your teeth whiter. The effectiveness of these whitening treatments depends on the amount of peroxide used on whitening products. The average percentages of peroxide used in teeth whitening solutions range between 10-22%. Before you go bleaching your teeth, you should review the facts on teeth whitening with a dentist. Your dentist will tell you whether your gums and teeth are healthy enough for the whitening procedure.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are pieces of plastic coated in peroxide. You can get whitening strips over the counter. These strips have a certain amount of strips that can last for up to two weeks. To use the strips, you should attach them to the front of your teeth and leave them for thirty minutes a day. You will begin to see some results after two weeks of using the strips. However, whitening strips are a form of do-it-yourself whitening treatment that lasts for a few months.
Tray Whitening
Tray whitening is a whitening procedure that is supervised by your dentist. You are required to wear a tray at night for a specific amount of time. This method requires you to visit a dentist who will take an impression of your mouth so he/she may make you a custom tray that holds the gel against your teeth. You will then take the tray and whitening gel home with you where you will have to manage the whitening on your own. You are required to wear the gel for 30 minutes a day for three weeks. The process takes longer than in-office methods but takes almost the same time as whitening strips.
In-Office Whitening
In-office bleaching is the fastest way to whiten your teeth. During this procedure, your dentist will use a whitening product in combination with a laser or special light. You can expect to see results after 30-60 minutes. However, for lasting results, you may have to attend several appointments. This is the most expensive teeth whitening approach.
Summing It Up
There are many teeth whitening options that you can use to make your teeth a shade or two brighter. However, whitening solutions have their share of risks, and you need to weigh all the risks before signing up for any treatment. Some of the factors that you need to consider before going for any whitening procedure include your age, allergies, gum disease, the condition of your enamel, and whether you have restorations such as fillings and crowns.