Types of whiteners
In this first post I’d like to start about out by going over some different types of tooth whitening products. Tooth whitening products are not all the rage with many products to choose from. Many are looking to get that perfect white smile for better self confidence, job interview or just to get rid of the coffee stain.
Whitening Toothpaste
If you take a look around in a retail store like Target or Wal-Mart you’ll see that it’s almost impossible to find a toothpaste these days that doesn’t whiten teeth. The main whitening ingredient in these toothpastes is Sodium carbonate peroxide which acts as the whitener. It breaks down into sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide is the one that bleacher your teeth and in addition kills germs.
Bleach/Gels
Bleach and tooth whitening gels are becoming very popular and some are very effective in achieving a whiter smile. To use bleach and tooth whitening gels you’ll need to get fitted for a mouth tray are you local dental office. The dentist will take a mold impression of your teeth. Making the mold only takes about 10 minutes each for upper and lower teeth. Once the molds are taken it will usually take about three to four days or less to get the mouth trays. Once you get the mouth trays you will put your bleach or tooth whitening gel into each tray and put the upper tray and lower tray into your mouth for about 30 minutes. Cost for the whitening kits can be anywhere from thirty five to forty five per kit. Trays vary in price, $200-400 is probably the norm.
OTC
Over the counter tooth whiteners are also very popular. One of the most popular is probably the white strips, there are many commercials with this product. These are plastic strips that you wrap around the upper and lower sections of your teeth. The whitening solution is on one side of the strip which is up against your teeth. You have to wear the tooth whitening strips about two times per day for thirty minutes for about two weeks to see any difference. Personally I’ve used these and I didn’t see much difference but maybe other will have better luck with them.
To find out what best will suit your needs and goals I always recommend talking to your dentist since they are the teeth experts and will provide the most direction.