A Guide to Different Types of Teeth Whitening Products

Do you hide your smile when talking to people? Are you embarrassed by the stained look of your teeth?  In order not to lose your self-confidence, why not try a teeth-whitening product? Nowadays, the market is overwhelmed by such products in the form of whitening toothpaste, strips, gels, kits, and rinses.

The texture of teeth is highly susceptible to staining foods and drinks, medicine, and the aging process. Those wishing to try a teeth-whitening method at home instead of going to the dentist could purchase one of these products and wait for the results.

Learn more about their benefits in detail.

Whitening toothpaste

causes, symptoms, and treatment for enamel erosion.

One of the most affordable teeth-whitening products in the market is whitening toothpaste. The role of regular toothpastes is to clean the oral cavity while trying to reduce staining. In contrast, whitening toothpastes not only eliminate stains but make teeth whiter. These contain bleaching ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, both of which have a bleaching and polishing effect on teeth.

In addition, whitening toothpastes provide results in a period of several weeks, making your teeth one shade whiter than they used to be. Due to the presence of mild abrasives, there is a potential risk of damaging the enamel in people with sensitivity issues. Even though these toothpastes can be used on a daily basis as a replacement for regular toothpaste, you are still advised to consult a dentist prior to using one. See the following link, https://www.healthline.com/health/enamel-erosion, to check out the causes, symptoms, and treatment for enamel erosion.

Whitening strips and gels

Other popular teeth-whitening products are whitening strips and gels. The former are based on hydrogen peroxide of various strengths. These are incredibly convenient to use, as you only need to apply the gel on the surface of the teeth with the help of a tiny brush.

The instructions vary across products depending on the potency of hydrogen peroxide, which is why users need to follow them carefully. As far as the results are concerned, you’ll notice an improvement in only a couple of days.

Whitening strips, on the other hand, are even more convenient to use. These thin strips are put on the top and bottom row of teeth, one strip on each row. There’s no reason to worry about the size of the strips, as these are highly flexible. It only takes three days for the whitening strips to provide the desired results in people with moderate stains.

Furthermore, these strips aren’t the best alternative for people with severe tooth staining. Conversely, whitening strips are an effective solution for individuals who wish to make their teeth a little whiter before attending an important event or going to an interview. The results are effective for as long as four months.

Whitening kits

Whitening kits

Whitening kits have become an amazingly popular teeth-whitening product, available as over-the-counter and take-home kits. Over-the-counter kits can be purchased in drugstores and online. When looking for the best teeth whitening kit on Amazon, choose one that comes with a LED light. These kits enable users to get a whiter smile only by spending nine minutes a day.

Moreover, the whitening kits containing LED light require users to brush their teeth, apply the bleaching gel, and use the light to complete the procedure. These kits are highly beneficial in removing wine and coffee stains, causing no pain in the process. People wearing braces can use them safely, as well as those who have crowns, veneers, and bridges installed. It’s very important for the bleaching gel not to touch the gums in order to prevent discomfort.

In contrast, take-home whitening kits are provided by dentists, customized to the teeth of patients. The mouth tray is compatible with the teeth mold taken by the dentist in order to fit perfectly. Users are supposed to wear these trays overnight and wait to see the results in a few weeks’ time. Unlike over-the-counter kits, take-home kits are made with higher hydrogen peroxide percentages for the purpose of achieving better results.

Whitening rinses

Bleaching rinses have become a new trend among teeth-whitening products. These products perform the same function as mouthwashes, helping individuals keep their breath fresh and minimize dental plaque. Using mouthwash on a daily basis has proven beneficial in preventing gum disease in the long term.

Nevertheless, unlike regular mouthwashes, whitening rinses contain bleaching ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide. In order to experience positive results in about twelve weeks, users are supposed to swish the liquid for about one minute twice daily, right before brushing their teeth. However, these rinses are considered less effective than trays, strips, and gels. The short contact of the rinse with the teeth is nothing in comparison to the effect of the strips.

How long will the teeth remain white?

Teeth-whitening products vary when it comes to the duration of the whitening effects. Most of them provide users with the possibility to enjoy their white teeth for as long as four months. Nevertheless, the effects might fade much quicker, even after a month. Therefore, people are advised to resist teeth-staining foods and drinks such as coffee, white wine, black tea, soda, pomegranate, paprika, vinegar, blackberries, blueberries, etc.

Those capable of avoiding such foods and drinks for long periods of time might even experience longer whitening effects of approximately a year. When it comes to the whiteness degree provided by these products, it all depends on the condition of one’s teeth. People experiencing deep staining are less likely to see a drastic change in color. In contrast, individuals whose teeth are covered with moderate stains will be surprised by the results.

When it comes to taking precautions, people coping with dentin hypersensitivity aren’t supposed to use such products until consulting their dentist. Also, those allergic to hydrogen peroxide are strongly advised against using bleaching products.

The bottom line

Choose a product you find most convenient and test its effects.

Go online to purchase the one you consider most efficient!