How'd You Get That Great Smile?
What's the first thing you notice about a person? According to
over 60% of people who were asked that in a recent survey, the
answer is "their smile." A great smile is one of those assets
that everyone appreciates. For decades, the only way to brighten
your smile was with the help of a dentist - but these days,
there's a wide variety of teeth whitening products on the market
that can help anyone have a whiter, brighter smile, without the
expense and inconvenience of a dentist's office visit.
Teeth whitening products aren't exactly new. There have been
toothpastes on the market for years that promise to whiten your
teeth and give you a brighter, warmer smile. Over the past few
years, though, there's been a wealth of new teeth whitening
products on the market. With so many types of products and
systems for whitening your teeth available, it can be confusing
to choose the one that's safe and best for you.
Teeth Whitening Tray Systems One of the most commonly used types
of teeth whitening products are tray systems. Essentially, these
products consist of a flexible tray that is fitted to your
teeth. The tray is designed to hold a bleaching agent in close
contact with your teeth for a period of time. Some tray systems
are designed to be used in the dentist's office, some to be
prescribed by a dentist and used at home, and some can be
purchased over the counter and used at home. Many people opt to
wear the trays at night while they sleep.
There are several bleaching agents that are used in teeth
whitening products. The one most commonly recommended by dental
professionals is a carbamide peroxide 10-22% solution. Carbamide
peroxide is a viscous gel form of hydrogen peroxide chosen
because it clings to teeth. The better contact that the bleach
has with your teeth, the better the effects you'll get from the
whitening procedure.
Most over the counter tray systems use hydrogen peroxide instead
of carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is safe, but it doesn't
bleach as quickly. In most cases, if you're using any at-home
system, it will take several sessions a day for several weeks to
achieve the same results that your dentist can get in his office
in two-three ninety minute sessions. However, you'll pay for the
speed - a doctor's office whitening treatment can cost you as
much as $500 per session. An at-home system may cost as little
as $30 for the total treatment.
Teeth Whitening Strips A second popular method of whitening
teeth is the use of teeth whitening strips. Like over the
counter tray systems, the active ingredient in teeth whitening
strips is hydrogen peroxide. Instead of using a fitted tray and
mouth guard, teeth whitening strips are designed to stick to
your teeth and hold the hydrogen peroxide against them. They're
far more convenient for most people, who can choose to wear them
at night or during the day. Usually, they require several
30-minute sessions a day over several weeks time. On the other
hand, they're not as effective as tray-based systems. Because
they only cover the front teeth, only those teeth are affected.
In addition, because of the fit, they often leave a yellowed
area of the teeth near to the gum line.
Teeth Whitening Gums and Toothpastes Other teeth whitening
products include toothpastes, dental floss and chewing gum.
These products contain a very weak solution of peroxide or
another whitening agent. Because they don't stay in contact with
your teeth for any length of time, their effect is minimal.
However, they are useful in maintaining a brighter smile in
conjunction with another teeth whitening method.
White teeth and a bright smile can boost your confidence and
improve your appearance. For help in choosing the best teeth
whitening product for your teeth, consult a dental professional
who can advise you which method will work best for you.
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