What Is Teeth Whitening?

It is simply the process of making the teeth white or maintaining its white complexion. For people who have a natural set of white teeth, there is the matter of maintaining it through good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. For those people who have a dull smile and want to have a whiter set of teeth, there are a variety of ways to achieve this.

Over-The-Counter Treatment

There are a lot of teeth-whitening products that can be bought over-the-counter today. The most common type of over-the-counter teeth-whitening product is toothpaste which contains mild abrasives that gently scrapes teeth stains. Rinses are mouthwashes that contain whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide. Whitening strips are small plastic strips that have a peroxide-gel side, which aids in teeth whitening. Tray-based teeth whiteners involve wearing mouth trays that contain a peroxide-based whitening solution. Over-the-counter products are the easiest to access and the most affordable, but it may take a while to see the results.

Customized Take-Home Whitening Kits

This option is far more superior than over-the-counter products. The thing is, this kit is usually prescribed and provided by the dentist based on his observation of the patient’s teeth. The type of products and application may be just like how OTC products are used, but the whitening solutions are of a higher dosage, making it more effective. The price may also be more expensive compared to OTC products given the fact that the results are visible in a shorter period of time. Be careful not to use this option without consulting the dentist. A wrong dosage or incompatibility with these treatments may cause more harm than good.

Professional In-Office Dental Treatment

This is the most expensive means in order to have teeth, but it is also the most effective, not to mention the fastest visible result. Typically, it takes a single visit to the dentist to have a whiter smile. The most common procedure is that the dentist will apply a fast-acting, highly-concentrated whitening agent, that is activated upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Prior to that, the dentist ensures that the gums, tongue, and the lips are not affected by applying a protective covering. The entire process takes place within an hour. The patient can also opt to have a dental prophylaxis prior to the teeth whitening procedure to ensure that the teeth are not just white but clean as well.