Evaluating Various Teeth Whitening Products
Are you concerned that your discolored teeth add years to your age? Individuals who have an otherwise youthful appearance find that their yellowed teeth don't match the way they carry themselves. Using teeth whitening products can improve your appearance by making you look younger and by making your teeth look healthier.
The three options you have for whitening your teeth are: to use special whitening toothpaste, to use home whitening strips, or to have your teeth whitened in your dentist's office, under your dentist's supervision.
Tooth Whitening Toothpaste
Tooth whitening toothpaste is the least expensive and most accessible teeth whitening product available. Many people try toothpaste to brighten their smile before they resort to more expensive whitening treatments. Unfortunately, most of them go on to try more aggressive teeth whitening products because they do not get the results they want by using tooth whitening toothpaste.
This is hardly surprising when you consider that toothpaste only comes in contact with your teeth for a few minutes every day, and any bleaching agents in the product are diluted by saliva and water.
Tooth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips are products that are coated with bleaching gel that the user adheres to the front six teeth on the top and bottom of their mouth. The strips can be quite effective; most users report having noticeably whiter teeth after a two-week treatment.
However, some users of these teeth whitening products report experiencing tooth and gum sensitivity after using bleaching gel. Others complain that this method works inconsistently, leaving discolored areas where the strips don't adhere completely to the teeth.
All users of tooth whitening strips complain that the product only whitens 12 teeth in their mouth, and they show more than their front 12 teeth when they smile. Whitening the front teeth can make the untreated teeth look even more discolored than before.
Teeth Whitening Products from Your Dentist
The most effective teeth whitening products are available from your dentist or dental hygienist. Dental professionals can prescribe whiteners that have a more powerful concentration of bleach than home whitening strips. Your dentist can also craft custom trays to hold the bleaching gel in place against your teeth.
If you want immediate results, ask your dentist about using a special laser light to enhance the bleaching properties of the gel. These treatments cost more than over-the-counter methods, but they last longer and brighten your whole mouth so you get a bright, white smile.
