There are many different products and methods a person can use when getting their teeth whitened. So many, perhaps, that most people could really use some informed help in making a decision about which method to use. The American Dental Association (ADA) has stepped in to provide information about the different ways to whiten teeth. And on its website, the organization also discusses the products that can be used at home, and which procedures should be done by a dentist instead.
Both in your home and by a dentist, the majority of the lightening is done by peroxide. Kits meant for use at home usually contain a 10% carbamide peroxide solution, whereas your dentist uses products that have considerably higher amount of hydrogen peroxide, oftentimes as high as 15 to 35%.
Home kits are safer to use, but the procedure might take quite a few days and in many cases weeks before the person sees a clear improvement in whiteness. Conversely, a person can have a teeth whitening procedure completed in just one or two hours with controlled applications of the more powerful mixture at the dentist's office.
One reason why the ADA may lean more toward the idea of having one's teeth whitened in a dentist's office rather than at home is that there have been rare cases that have had unfortunate results. Sometimes there is extra tooth sensitivity from the chemicals, or even chemical burns on the gums. This doesn't mean that using a teeth whitening kit at home is intrinsically more risky, since these things can occur in the office as well, but it does demonstrate the wisdom of having a professional whiten your teeth, as he or she and will know how to recognize problems and deal with them quickly.
A whitening gel toothpaste is another option, but users must have realistic expectations. Toothpastes do not change the intrinsic color of the teeth, and any whitening effects are accomplished via an abrasive polish that can remove surface stains only. So if people need their teeth whitened on a more profound level, toothpastes will probably be inadequate. For that kind of whitening, the real choice will be between the kits used at home or the supervised, more intense method employed in the dentist's office.
Teeth whitening products and procedures have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. That's because many people realize that a whiter smile is a relatively easy way to look younger and more attractive. If you want to learn how to bleach teeth, click here to find out more about bleaching your teeth.
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