Teeth whitening has become a huge industry as more people seek brighter and whiter teeth. There are many over-the-counter products that are effective in whitening teeth. What all these products do is use bleaching agents to remove stains from the teeth. But the best whitening treatments occur in a dentist's office. While products for home use can make teeth about two shades lighter, a dentist can make them eight shades whites, according to the Make My Teeth Whiter website.
Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
Toothpastes are the easiest way to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening toothpastes are regular toothpastes with added bleaching agents. Usually the bleach is a peroxide-based product. Hydrogen peroxide is popular and is used in higher strengths than you find in a bottle sold in drugstore. Consumer Reports magazine tested teeth whitening toothpastes. Colgate Max Fresh, Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening, and Colgate Luminous performed well in tests.
Using Whitening Strips
Whitening strips contain a bleaching substance and adhesive to attach to the teeth. The strips are easy to apply and most brands instruct you to leave the strips on for 30 minutes. Use the strips two times a day for 14 days. Over time the white strips will show a noticeable change.
Using Brush-On Gels
Whitening gels require a little more work. With these paint-on gels you use a tiny brush to paint the bleaching agent on each individual tooth. After applying the gel, leave on the teeth for one hour. Usually you do this two times a day for one to two weeks, depending on the brand. The Make My Teeth Whiter website reports that brush-on gels are the least effective teeth whitening method. "Unfortunately, saliva flow makes it almost impossible for it to work the way it is supposed to. This can cause blotches on your teeth," the website states. Also, the gel tastes terrible to most people.
Using Whitening Mouthguard Kits
The whitening mouthguard kits are the most complicated procedure, but can yield very good results in a short time. With these products, you use a tray to make a mold or impression of your teeth. Then you add whitening gel to the mouthguard tray and fit it around the teeth. You leave the mouthguard on for one to three hours or even overnight, depending on the brand. This process can be uncomfortable if the mouthguard does not fit well. A more expensive alternative is to buy a mouthguard kit from your dentist. With this method you get a custom fit. By using this type of mouthguard you get better whitening results.
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