Home Teeth Whitening: Your Smile Is Worth The Investment

Stained teeth prevent confident smiles and happen for a variety of reasons. Deep colored foods like tea, coffee and even certain antibiotics, if used for a long period of time, can change the color of teeth. The stains can be on the outside or the discoloration can occur in the inside of the teeth. How can a person clean up any discoloration and regain confidence in their smile?

Whitening Methods

If the stains are external, bleaching may be an option. Bleaching uses either hydrogen peroxide or caramide peroxide gel. The caramide peroxide is milder than straight peroxide found in the dentist office. Caramide peroxide is found in over the counter at home teeth whitening kits. It converts in to a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide. This method is slower and often the results do not bring out a degree of color change that people are expecting.

Whitening can be done by toothpaste because of its ability to do basic surface cleaning. Toothpaste may contain a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide but it is usually not strong enough to deeply whiten teeth. What has happened is that the stain makes teeth opaque thus leaving them with unwanted color. The actual bleaching of teeth is caused by the application of a hydrogen peroxide gel. The hydrogen peroxide converts into oxygen molecules and these enter into the cracks on the enamel where toothpaste can not go. In a dentist office, the hydrogen peroxide is at a strong concentration and is activated by laser or other light sources. The oxygen then combines with the staining material that is lodged in the enamel and literally bubbles it away. A visit to the dentist office generally has the best results but it can be expensive.

Cheap whitening kits can be bought at the store. A person has many choices in how to use the whitening solution with different degrees of results. The best home teeth whitening kits are found at the dentist’s office. The patient puts the gel in a tray that fits over their teeth. He or she may wear it over night or for an hour or two with both requiring weeks of continued use. These kits are composed of a stronger hydrogen peroxide solution than over the counter products and provide a better whitening experience. A few dentists have commented that they prefer this method. The kits use a weaker solution of the peroxide from what they use in their office. The benefits, though, come from being applied over a period of time therefore creating a deeper clean.

Bleaching the teeth does have its drawbacks.  Often times, there can be temporary pain in the teeth and irritation to the gums.  Even over the counter at home teeth whitening kits have been known to do this. If a person decides to pursue bleaching at home then take the time to read the instructions.  It is important because the at home kits do contain a form of hydrogen peroxide that can potentially cause irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth.  Remember that good oral hygiene and a healthy diet can do a lot to making teeth looker bright and healthy.

There are good teeth whitening products out there.  What a person chooses depends on what they are trying to do.  If just changing a few shades of color is enough, then the lower cost home teeth whitening products are good choices.  They are cheap and safe to use.   If a more major change is thought necessary then consult with a dentist for other choices.  Feeling confident in our appearances can hinge on something a simple as a good-looking smile.