4 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

Cosmetic dentistry is a wonderful and innovative form of dentistry that allows patients to enjoy the benefits of dazzlingly white and near perfect teeth. If you've always dreamed of having a beautiful smile, it can now be yours with the advances in cosmetic dentistry.

One way to improve the appearance of your teeth is through whitening procedures. Most are simple and easy and lift your tooth color to a noticeably whiter shade in just a few applications. Here are a few ways to do it.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are available at most drug stores or supermarkets. They are thin, nearly invisible strips coated with a peroxide whitening gel. They are generally applied twice a day for 30 minutes at a time, for the duration of 14 days. Results can be seen in just a few days, whereas final results can take up to 4 months. For retail, you will pay around $10 to $60 for a full 14 day treatment.  

Whitening Gels

Gel is another great option for tooth whitening. Also peroxide based, gels are applied with a small brush directly onto the teeth. Generally, instructions indicate application twice daily for 14 days. Like the strips, initial results appear in just a few days, but final results can take up to 4 months.

Whitening Toothpaste

Regular brushing with the use of toothpaste helps remove stains on the surface of the teeth. However, there are whitening toothpastes available that contain a gentle polishing agent to polish and whiten the teeth. While whitening toothpaste can lighten your teeth by one shade, they do not contain bleach, however, and cannot come close to the whitening effect you will get from professional bleaching methods from a dentist.

At Home Bleaching

With the help of your dentist, you can bleach your teeth at home with professional strength bleaching agents. Your cosmetic dentist will fit you for a customized mouthpiece that allows for plenty of space between the whitening gel and the teeth. The tray is a great option because it minimizes the risk of the gel coming into contact with the gum tissue. Drug store products are fine, but the tailor made mouthpiece trays are an exact fit. Ill-fitting trays can irritate the gum by letting bleach seep onto the tissue. If you choose to have an in-office procedure, the bleach is applied directly to the teeth, with little to no risk of product seeping through.