Many of us seek a dazzling white Hollywood smile. For effective, long-lasting and safe methods of teeth whitening, there are some over-the-counter options, as well as treatments available at your dentist’s office. According to Hexa Research, so many people are looking for a glistening grin that the value of the teeth-whitening industry is predicted to hit $7.4 billion U.S. by 2024.
There are so many choices on the market making it difficult to know which one to select. Is it safe? Is it effective? Is it long-lasting? How much does it cost? People are likely to feel overwhelmed by all of the available options.
Let’s explore some of the more common methods of teeth whitening that can be purchased at drug stores or online, as well as professional teeth whitening methods.
Strips
Thin, flexible strips coated with a tooth-whitening gel containing peroxide.
- How they work
- They keep the whitening solution against your teeth where it can remove stains both above and below the surface of the tooth.
- Depending on the brand, strips are designed to be worn five minutes a day or up to an hour a day.
- Some brands guarantee results after 20 days of continuous use.
- The pros:
- Affordable. These teeth whitening strips are affordable in the short-term. At roughly $3 to $4 an application, a typical round of 20 days’ worth will cost around $80.
- Simple and safe. The strips do not contain very high doses of teeth bleaching chemicals and reducing the risk of burning your gums and tongue like other products might. They are also easy to use.
- The cons:
- Uneven. Most people do not have perfectly straight teeth, so the strips might produce uneven results where they don’t conform perfectly around each tooth.
- Short-term. If your habits do not change (such as drinking coffee or smoking) your teeth will revert back to their stained condition.
- Best suited for light staining. If you have very stained teeth, you might be disappointed by the results of the whitening strips. Again, the thing that keeps them safe is also the thing that keeps them from being super effective on your stains.
Whitening toothpaste
- How it works
- All toothpastes contain gentle abrasive materials (such as silica) to help scrape stains off teeth. Whitening toothpastes also contain peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen). Brushing your teeth for two minutes will help to reduce surface stains.
- The pros:
- Cost-effective.
- Safe. Use only twice a day due to the abrasiveness of the gel. Overuse can erode dental enamel.
- Easy to use. Brush teeth as per normal.
- Effective for light surface stains.
- The cons:
- Does not deliver dramatic results.
- May cause irritation to the mouth.
- For best results it needs to be used with strips or other teeth whitening products.
Mouthwashes and rinses
- How they work
- Like all the other tooth whitening products on the market, whitening mouthwash and rinses contain peroxide. The concentration is lower in rinses because of its direct contact with your gums.
- The pros:
- Kill bacteria. Many whitening mouthwashes on the market also contain germ-busting ingredients.
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to use. Rinse for one minute.
- Helps reduce immediate staining from foods.
- The cons:
- Not a quick fix.
- May increase tooth sensitivity.
- You will only achieve a moderate level of whitening over time.
Professional Whitening Treatments
- How do they work?
Dentists can offer three different methods for whitening your teeth:
- Putting special bleach on your stained teeth and using heat (or heat and light) to start the bleaching action. This is done in the office.
- Wearing a custom-made mouth guard filled with a special bleach for part of each day.
- Brushing with a special bleach mixed in toothpaste.
The mouthguard and toothpaste are applied at home.
- The pros:
- Fast and effective. An in-office whitening takes minimal time because the dentist is able to use more concentrated chemicals.
- Lasting. With care, the results can last for years, not months.
- More realistic-looking. Because the method used by the dentist immerses the whole tooth in the bleach, there are no missed areas.
- The cons:
- Initial cost. This is dependent on the treatment you choose. Your dentist can determine the treatment best for you based on what your budget is for whitening.
- Some discolourations cannot be treated. If you have tooth trauma (or took tetracycline as a child) teeth yellowing or stains cannot be whitened. Dentists call these “intrinsic stains.”
- Some people have an adverse reaction to the chemicals.
Other Home Remedies
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) “solutions” are not recommended. They are generally ineffective and can damage your teeth.
- Charcoal – There is no evidence to suggest that charcoal whitens teeth. In fact, its abrasiveness can lead to a thinning of tooth enamel, revealing the yellower dentin underneath.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Like the charcoal mentioned above, using apple cider directly on your teeth will erode the enamel and reveal dentin. Dentin cannot be bleached, so your efforts will make teeth look more yellow, not whiter.
- Lemon juice. Long-touted as a method to bleach both teeth and skin, lemon juice poses the same risks as apple cider vinegar: It is simply too acidic.
When seeking a whiter smile, remember that natural, healthy teeth have many varying shades. Results from any of the above tooth whitening methods will depend on a number of factors. Seeing your dentist regularly, flossing, brushing, and paying attention to your oral health can improve your smile. Abstaining from tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking will also reduce the likelihood of staining in the first place.
To discuss teeth whitening options in Brampton and what treatment might be effective for you, call Springdale Dental Centre at (905) 458-1212. We treat patients of all ages. Have your children who are 12 and under join our “No Cavity Club.” We do a monthly draw for a $25 Toys ‘R’ Us gift card for cavity-free kids who visit our practice.
