Teeth Whitening Techniques For A Brighter Smile
One of the sad realities of life is that our teeth get stained as we age. The foods we eat, the beverages we drink, and the cigarettes we smoke discolor our teeth and ruin our smiles.
Fortunately the damage can be reduced and even reversed. The following are some of the most effective teeth whitening methods for helping you to regain your once bright smile.
One effective whitening technique that has been around for a while now is bleaching trays. They are typically available from your dentist, but there are some do-it-yourself kits available also.
They work like this: a custom fitted tray is made from a mold of your mouth. A peroxide based whitening agent is placed on the tray, which is then worn inside the mouth for about a half an hour to an hour each day. Over a few weeks time, the teeth are whitened by many shades.
There are plusses and minuses to this method. Positively, teeth can be whitened dramatically using this approach. Negatively, there is the time involved in wearing the tray as well as the fact that the whitening agent may cause teeth to become sensitive.
An improvement was made with the laser teeth whitening method. This professional treatment involves putting the bleaching agent on the teeth and using a laser to speed up the chemical process. While it does drastically reduce the time required, this is definitely the most expensive way to whiten teeth.
There are some less costly, yet still effective, methods available to whiten your teeth. One popular product is teeth whitening strips.
One problem with whitening strips is that they do not whiten an entire tooth. Most noticeably, the gaps or spaces between the teeth remain untreated, leading to uneven results. In fact, in some cases, spaces between your teeth may be even more noticeable after treatment with whitening strips.
Many people prefer teeth whitening gels to other teeth whitening products. They are easily applied and yield quick results. If you decide to try a gel, check the concentration of active ingredient. A higher percentage of peroxide means that you will see results faster. You can apply gels to your teeth using custom fitted trays. Just be careful to protect your gums during the treatment.