Everyone wants a beautiful, dazzling smile. There are many options out there to try and get your teeth shining white again. You can get over-the-counter products that help remove surface stains or go for professional whitening treatments for a more permanent whiter smiler.
Teeth Whitening Options
When it comes to teeth whitening, there are four main options available to you. You’ll want to proceed with the safety and most suitable plan for you.
No matter what option you choose, most whitening products/treatments make use of hydrogen peroxide or bleaching agents. The amount used depends on the product or service you choose. Of course, better, more permanent treatments will use higher amounts of bleaching agents to whiten your teeth.
Over-The-Counter Solutions
You can find a range of whitening products at your local drug store, grocery store, or chain store. These are available without a prescription and you can do it at your comfort and convenience. Always take safe care with over-the-counter whitening products as they can harm the gums if not used correctly. These products include:
- Gels
- Gum
- Mouth Rinses
- Toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste just removes surface stains, but some advanced whitening toothpaste is available that can do a bit more work.
- Paint-On Films: Using a brush, you apply the whitening agent directly to your teeth. With this product, you can easily target only certain teeth or your whole smile.
- Whitening Strips: These are the best bang-for-your-buck products to get. Results may vary, but whitening strips do a very good job of improving your teeth’s colour.
Do It Yourself
All-natural products like lemons, strawberries, and bananas can be used to brighten your teeth. However, this is not a safe choice due to the acidity in these fruits. It can cause harm to your enamel which makes your teeth weaker.
A better option would be using coconut oil pulling and activated charcoal. However, these are not scientifically proven.
Prescribed Whitening Kits
You can get more advanced whitening kits prescribed from your dentist which have a bit more power than OTC products. These work with custom whitening trays your dentist makes for you, that fit perfectly over your teeth. These trays are filled with a whitening gel and then the whole tray is put snugly around your teeth. Always follow correct instructions and safety precautions to maximize results so that the dentist can measure progress.
In-Office Treatments
The most efficient method that guarantees effective results is to get an in-office treatment. Using concentrated whitening agents, combined with a LED light to activate it, a whiter smile can be earned in minutes. These treatments can be found at your dentist’s office, or through professional teeth whitening services.
Professional whitening treatments use special tools to help protect your gums and soft tissues (gingival barriers). And, while this is the most effective whitening treatment, it can be costly and involves more time, as well as an increased teeth sensitivity (although this is usually temporary).
Conclusion
The path to whiter teeth is within reach, no matter which option you choose. All have a varying degree of success that can help improve the white level of your teeth. Of course, the most effective method is in-office treatments, should you be willing to set aside the time and investment to do.
If you want to become a teeth whitening technician, and start whitening the smiles of those around you, enrol in Teeth Whitening Academy’s online training program and get certified in just one day.