Whitening toothpastes, however, can only remove surface stains and therefore only lighten your teeth about one shade. The least affective, but perhaps just as easy as the toothpaste, is a whitening rinse. It is just like a mouthwash, but contains teeth whitening chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide. Results may take up to twelve weeks to show.
Other products that are available are over-the-counter whitening strips and gels. These are used for 14 days, and can lighten your teeth up to 2 shades. The price for a gel usually runs around $15, and the strips can cost from there up to $55. There are also teeth whitening trays, which some brands claim to be able to whiten teeth up to 8 shades. These can be priced even more expensive than the strips; sometimes costing around $100.
No matter what method of whitening you use though, the strongest products are going to come from your dentist. Most dentists sell whitening strips, gels, or trays which contain a stronger bleaching agent than any over-the-counter product. These products are usually sold at a slightly higher price than those in a store, but the stronger formula is worth the small price raise.
