The Types of Teeth Whitening

Types of Teeth Whitening: How to Make Your Pearly Whites Pearly-white

As much as people want their teeth to remain pearly-white forever, the food that they eat makes this a virtually-impossible task. Nutritious fruits, grains, and meats may be what the body needs, but these foods are often sugary, salty, or acidic in nature and thus take a toll on the teeth’s natural color. Good oral hygiene may help out by getting rid of plaque and discolorations, but it is usually not enough on its own. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to bring back the luster of pearly-white teeth. Many of them require the helping hand of a cosmetic dentist, although others can be performed without professional help. The common types of whitening procedures for teeth are:

In-Office Whitening

A dentist who specializes in teeth whitening is usually the best choice for the job because his or her techniques are faster and more effective than the rest. Exactly what goes on in a tooth whitening procedure varies from one specialist to another, but it usually involves the application of a special bleaching agent on the teeth. Some dentists rely on light-activated formulae for faster results. Regardless of the specifics, patients are first treated with a tooth cleaning procedure before the in-office whitening can actually begin.

Home Whitening

Some dentists offer home whitening procedures which involve the use of trays, shaped like mouth guards, which are then filled with a tooth whitening paste or gel. These trays are worn over a fixed period of time, which can be anything from a few days to a few weeks. While they’re obviously slower, home whitening procedures are both convenient and effective.

Over-the-Counter Products

Some tooth whitening products, like gels, toothpastes, and strips, can be bought from the supermarket or the drug store without the dentist’s consent. These are an option for those who have a fear of the dentist, although some of these products may prove to be ineffective, especially if people don’t know how to use them in the first place.