One of the very popular topics these days among men and women alike is about how to whiten teeth as this literally gives you a new smile. There are many options for doing this. Either you can get a professional to whiten teeth for you or use time tested and inexpensive home remedies. Once you decide to do teeth whitening, consult your dentist to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy enough to undergo the process.
Now let’s consider the different options open to us once we decide to go ahead with teeth whitening.
1) Whiten teeth at a dentist’s office
In this method the result you get is fast and excellent. The procedure is quickly done with, over in just about a couple of hours. Though the result is immediate it’s the most expensive teeth whitening method.
2) Whiten teeth strips
These are sold over the counter in almost all the drug stores these days. These are easy to use, fairly inexpensive and most of them work well also. The result produced always depend upon the strength of hydrogen peroxide used in that particular strip.
3) Teeth whitening trays and gels
Though teeth whitening trays and gels are effective they may take from 4 days to up to a couple of weeks to give the desired result. These trays have to be worn over your teeth for a couple of hours every day or overnight.
4) Teeth whitening toothpastes
Teeth whitening toothpastes are another option. These contain polishing agents, mild abrasives and some special chemicals that removes stains. They do not bleach your teeth.
5) Natural method to whiten teeth
You can also resort to some make-at-home preparations for whitening the teeth. The most popular is a strawberry and soda bicarbonate mix. Blend 1 ripe strawberry with 1/2 a cup of soda, apply on to your teeth, keep for 5 minutes and brush with normal paste and rinse. Do this once a week for good results.
Teeth whitening can be done at home with soda and salt mix or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution too. Dip your toothbrush in this and brush slowly and gently. Don’t use this methods too frequently as it may damage your tooth enamel.
Tweet This Post
In my opinion, based on personal experience, as well as research I have conducted, the answer to this question depends on several factors. One factor would be the age of the person using the product. Another factor would be the actual brand of product being used. One more factor would be the length of time the actual product is used.
Since there are so many products on the market, it would be virtually impossible for one person to test them all in their adult lifetime. There are however some criteria that should be considered. One factor or criteria a person would need to consider would be the price of the product being considered.
Some products may be thought by the consumer to be reliable because they are offered by a dentist. These products are typically very pricey, and it has been my experience that even though they are comparatively expensive they are not always any more effective than some of the less expensive products on the market today.
Aside from cost, as we age our teeth become more stained in time. Some of these stains (yellowing) may be actually easier to remove than a gray cast from the eroding of tooth enamel. Since the yellowing of the teeth from such things as drinking coffee or tea are usually somewhat superficial, they are usually easier to remove with a relatively inexpensive teeth whitening kit which may be purchased at the local pharmacy, or even grocery store.
In conclusion, the higher the percentage of peroxide in the product, the more effective the product. It is always wise to do your research first and consider the sensitivity of your gums as well as the health of your teeth. Included in that would be the condition of the tooth enamel.
It can usually help to maintain the whitening effect by using a whitening toothpaste in conjunction with the whitening gel. When stains have not been visible for a significant number of years (less than 5), it is possible to fade stains with a home remedy of peroxide and baking soda. However, this can be irritating to the gums. In most cases, an inexpensive gel is recommended. Depending on the age of the person, it can be helpful to check to percentage of peroxide included in the product which can be found in the list of active ingredients.
Tweet This Post