Teeth whitening is a very po[censored] r procedure today and is seen by most patients as the answer for their cosmetic dental woes. Consumers can easily get different products over the counter like whitening toothpaste, rinses, gels, trays, among others. Dentists may also prescribe or recommend whitening products.
Teeth whitening is ideal for individuals with healthy gums and teeth without fillings. People with yellowish tones on their teeth will also benefit. Below are some of the most po[censored] r teeth whitening systems available today:
Whitening Toothpastes
All toothpastes are formulated to have mild abrasives so they can help remove stains on the surface of the teeth. Whitening toothpastes contain certain chemicals and polishing agents so they can remove stains more effectively. These toothpastes do not contain bleaching agents and can only get rid of surface stains. This is in contrast with professional whitening agents that are formulated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that can go deeper in the tooth.
Patients may see their teeth lighter by one shade after consistently using a whitening toothpaste. Light-activated whitening procedures performed by a Los Angeles dentist may help lighten the patient's teeth by three shades to eight shades.
Whitening Rinses
Rinses are well-known for freshening the patient's breath, preventing gum disease, and reducing the ac[censored] ulation of plaque. These rinses also contain hydrogen peroxide and other agents that may help whiten teeth. Individuals who wish to lighten the shade of their teeth may need to use the whitening rinse for around three months before seeing results. Po[censored] r whitening rinses instruct users to swish the liquid in their mouth for about a minute twice a day before regular brushing. Since the whitening rinse will only have a brief contact with the patient's teeth, they are less effective compared to whitening strips.
Whitening Gels and Strips
There are also whitening gels formulated using peroxide-based materials applied to the surface of the teeth using a small brush. Most boxes of these gels will require consumers to apply it twice a day for about two weeks. Patients can see the initial lightening of teeth within a few days and the final results in about four months.
There are also teeth whitening strips that can be bought over the counter. These are super thin strips coated with whitening gel. Just like the gel, the whitening strips are used consistently for two weeks, twice a day for about half an hour.
Tray-based Whitening Agent
Tray-based teeth whitening products can also be purchased over the counter or from the dentist. The process involves filling a mouthpiece-like tray with a whitening gel. The mouth guard is then worn everyday for several hours and for about a month or longer. The length of usage will depend on the discoloration of the teeth of the user and the desired level of lightening.
In-office Bleaching
Bleaching can be done at the dentist's office. The teeth whitening process involves application of the bleach directly to the patient's teeth. The dentist may combine the bleaching process with laser, heat, light treatment or a combination of these modalities. Results are seen immediately after a sixty-minute session but long-term teeth whitening can be achieved after several sessions with the dentist.
