If you are considering whitening your teeth, then whitening gels may be an option for you. Examine your options, however, since teeth whitening gel effectiveness can vary from product to product, based on quality and quantity of gel used.
Products like whitening strips use teeth whitening gel applied to a plastic strip which is then stuck to the teeth. These strips tend to be less effective since they contain very little of the product and are often uncomfortable to wear. If you’re looking for quick results, these are not recommended since the whitening they promise is often minimal and slow to show.
However teeth whitening gel can be directly applied and therefore quantity that is being used can be controlled, often yielding better results than whitening strips. However, their chemical composition is also something to take into consideration. Hydrogen peroxide is stronger, but less available for home use, particularly in higher strengths. Carbamide peroxide, on the other hand, is more widely used in home whitening products, and has a strength equivalency upon breakdown with the more widely available home strengths of hydrogen peroxide.
Whitening gels are most effective when applied and then covered with a mouth piece. These can be either specifically fitted or a generic whitening kit tray. If the gel is not covered, then it can be diluted and rinsed away by saliva and lose its strength before effectively whitening teeth. Using gels in combination with a mouthpiece prevents this strength reduction from happening and results in whiter teeth.
While almost any teeth whitening gel will be effective over the long run, you’ll usually get the best results for teeth whitening with products that use a higher concentration of the active ingredient and the lesser amount or strength of gel will take many more applications before yielding results. The disadvantage would be that it may cause gum irritations or tooth sensitivity.
credit: stuartpilbrow
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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.
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There are many diy products on the market to whiten your teeth. They can range from under ten to over one hundred dollars, and all provide a variety of results. The least expensive and most accessible product is a teeth whitening toothpaste. It is also the easiest to use.
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.
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