How much is a great smile worth to you? A bad one can cost you a good impression, which can spell disaster for relationships, jobs, and friendships.
It's just not worth it to have a bad smile, yet dentists can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for just whitening. Yet there are home whitening for teeth products that are easy to get and are a fraction of the cost of going to the dentist.
There are four common categories of over-the-counter whitening products, which are trays, strips, gels, and toothpastes. Yet many people just choose a product and hope it works.
That's not the way to go, it leads to half-done jobs that don't look good. I'll explain here what each product specifically does, and the best way to use it.
Trays: Trays are one of the earlier whitening methods, introduced in the late 1980s. The method is to create a plastic tray that fits over the teeth, and then use a peroxide-based teeth whitener inside the tray to whiten the teeth. Modern whitening trays issued by dentists have the advantage of being form fit to the patient's teeth.
Over-the-counter trays usually use a stock form that doesn't always fit well. Also, the peroxide-based whitener has some possible side effects, usually tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
The best at home method of using trays is to find one that fits well, and use the whitener as instructed, don't overdo it or you may be taking a trip to the dentist anyways.
Strips: Ushered in by Crest® in 2001, whitening strips are made of a thin, flexible plastic that adhere to your teeth, which minimizes contact with your gums and possible gum irritation. Strips use a hydrogen-peroxide whitener, and carry the same side effect of possible tooth sensitivity, but with less risk than trays and gels.
Though it is possible for strips to be misused and not adhere correctly. Just pressing them on and not making sure that the strip gets pushed into the crevices between your teeth can leave areas that don't get whiter, and end up looking worse.
The proper use of strips is to make sure they are applied whitener to teeth, and are seated within the crevices between your teeth.
Gels: Also known as Paint-on teeth whitener, introduced by Colgate® to the over-the-counter market in 2002. Gels are applied much like fingernail paint, only to your teeth. Using a similar peroxide mix as trays, but instead of using a tray to keep the whitener on your teeth, it solidifies in a short amount of time. The main problem with this is that foods, drinks, and your tongue can remove it easily if you're not careful. Also using too much can be a problem, but with a little bit of practice it shouldn't be.
Using Gels, aka paint-on whiteners is fairly simple, just 'paint' some where ever it needs to go, and it has the advantage of getting into those tight spaces very easily.
Toothpastes: Unlike the above whiteners, whitening toothpastes use a different method to get the job done. They do not use peroxides to whiten teeth, but instead use an abrasive mix.
The combined use of a toothbrush with the abrasive mix removes surface stains, but doesn't cause inside of the tooth to whiten. It is much better to use whitening toothpaste as a touchup or maintenance whitener.
Whitening toothpastes don't have as much power as trays, strips, or gels, but are also much gentler on teeth and gums, rarely if at all causing sensitivity or irritation.
Just brush your teeth as normal to use whitening toothpaste.
Knowing how to use whiteners properly makes the job much easier, and a lot brighter. You don't have to go to the dentist to have your teeth whitened, but it is recommended that you see your dentist to make sure what method would be best for you, and which is safest.
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