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Who wouldn’t want a whiter, brighter smile? Many of us do, but not everyone has them. Things we indulge in daily such as coffee, tea or red wine can cause stains and discoloration on teeth. Get them brighter with your choice of teeth-whitening products. Just be sure that you don’t go overboard on whitening, which can cause unnecessary side effects. Some whitening products are designed to use daily while others are a one-time use-only option. Do your research before you buy to see if you are able to whiten your teeth more than once a day.
OTC Whitening Strips and Treatments
Over-the-counter whitening strips are made to be used over a period of a couple weeks. These DIY teeth whiteners are an easy way to get your teeth whiter and brighter in a quick time frame. OTC whitening strips and treatments are designed to be used daily or sometimes twice daily for a certain period of time – one to four weeks – and for 20 minutes at a time. OTC options include strips, brush-on treatments and trays.
Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes often use polishing or chemical methods of whitening teeth rather than bleaches. These types of toothpastes whiten teeth by removing surface stains. Many over-the-counter whitening toothpastes are available that have the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance and are safe for everyday use. To use whitening toothpastes, you use them the same as you would your regular toothpaste – brush two to three times per day for at least two minutes.
Professional Whitening
A professional whitening procedure is usually completed within an hour. Professional treatments are much more costly than OTC options or whitening toothpastes – upwards of $200 – but you will see an immediate difference. There are two types of professional whitening treatments – the first is a one-time visit in which the dental professional applies a whitening solution to teeth and then a special light helps speed up the process. The second option is where a dental professional fits you with a custom tray that you will use at home on a daily basis, along with a whitening solution, for a specific time to whiten teeth.
Things to Consider
The American Dental Association recommends that you should only use a bleaching product to whiten your teen after you have consulted with your dentist – which is especially important if you have fillings, crowns or dark stains. Side effects can occur when using teeth-whitening products. The most common side effects are temporary tooth sensitivity and occasional irritation of the gums. Rarely has irreversible tooth damage been reported.
