The Different Types of Teeth Whitening
What You Should Know About The Different Types of Teeth Whitening
Whitening trends making their way in and out of social media and
commercials show us just how easy a variety of over-the-counter products
can be. But there are there are many other options as well. We will
briefly outline several options here to help you know what to discuss
with your dentist at your next visit. (Please note that overuse of any
of these products can result in tooth sensitivity, pain, and/or
discoloration.)
Teeth Whitening at Home
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste use a variety of techniques to lighten your teeth.
Baking soda, abrasives or chemicals are used to polish the teeth and/or
give a reflective appearance that removes surface stains from teeth.
Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when considering teeth whitening
toothpaste.
Timeline: They can take several weeks of use to see results.
Cost: varies, but under $30 in most cases
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits
Teeth whitening kits can include strips, trays and/or brushes that allow
you to put a substance on your teeth for a more extended period of time
than toothpaste. These kits usually contain peroxide which bleaches
your teeth to reach stains deeper than surface stains. Again, look for
the ADA Seal of Acceptance when considering over the counter teeth
whitening solutions.
Timeline: They take about one to two weeks to see results when used daily for a few hours.
Cost: varies, but expect to pay $50-100 for an at-home kit
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies for teeth whitening include everything from eating
healthier, jumping onboard a current trend, avoiding teeth staining
foods and/or sugary and acidic drinks. If you smoke or use tobacco,
those are your biggest culprits, so give those up for brighter teeth.
Abrasives such as baking soda or charcoal, or rinsing agents like
coconut oil can have benefits, but they are really simply creating a
habit of brushing and rinsing your mouth on a daily basis. The habits of
brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily,
chewing sugar-free gum and seeing your dentist twice a year results in
overall good oral care.
Timeline: your lifetime
Cost: varies greatly
Teeth Whitening At The Dentist
There are lots of teeth whitening options available only at a dentist
office. Depending on your specific goals and needs, your dentist can
recommend the options best for you. Options can include take home kits
as well as in-office professional teeth whitening treatments, which can
be done over a series of visits, or in one.
Having teeth whitening done professionally means there won’t be gaps in
the coverage area (typical of whitening strips), nor will they be over
bleached or cause damage to your gums (which can happen with in-home
self-treatments).
Take Home Kits
Many dentists provide take home teeth whitening options. Options may
include a ready-made kit or custom made trays with bleach. While some of
these resemble the over-the-counter whitening kits, they typically
contain a more concentrated level of bleach.
Timeline: Varies depending upon strength of bleaching agent, but generally one to two weeks.
Cost: Varies by dentist, but expect to spend around $150-$200
Zoom Teeth Whitening
This procedure is only available at dental offices and uses a 25%
hydrogen peroxide gel in conjunction with a special lamp to whiten your
teeth.
Timeline: The procedure takes about 45 minutes and results are immediate
Cost: Expect to spend about $500
Boost
Another option only available at dental offices, Boost uses a hydrogen
peroxide-based power bleaching gel for removing stains with no special
light required.
Timeline: Expect to spend one to two hours in the chair; results will be immediate
Cost: Again, you can expect to spend around $500
Veneers
Some stains will not respond to the traditional bleaching methods; in
these cases, veneers could be an option to beautify your smile.
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