Many people are victims of yellow teeth either due to their poor diet, improper oral hygiene, etc. Thankfully, there are a few methods to help whiten teeth significantly.
There are two options to choose from to whiten teeth. One can go for in-office teeth whitening or bleaching at home. Both of these options involve the use of peroxide-based agents for bleaching. The difference lies in the amount of peroxide used. In the home-based options for teeth whitening, peroxide presence is 3 to 20%. Whereas, a 15 to 43% of peroxide is involved when whitening is done in-office. The results directly depend on the amount of time the solution is kept. Keeping the solution on for a long period makes the teeth whiter. When the solution is kept for a long time, it causes the tooth to dehydrate and makes it more sensitive. So when the solution has a high amount of peroxide, the duration should be shorter. Each option has a pro and con. It is best to consult a dentist before trying any whitening solution at home. The results can vary from person to person.
In-Office teeth whitening
When dentists perform this procedure, it makes the teeth white quicker. The solution used for bleaching by dentists is stronger as compared to kits used at home. They might also use light or heat, or both to speed up the whitening of teeth. In some cases, teeth can become 3 to 8 time brighter and it takes many visits of around half an hour to an hour. There are some techniques which help whiten teeth in one appointment that last about 2 hours. Teeth whitening done in-office can cost between $500 and $1000.
Bleaching teeth at home
- Strips and gels
There are gels and strips that can be used for whitening teeth. These products are peroxide-based and can be put directly on the teeth using a brush. Applying these bleaching agents for around 14 days (once or twice a day) can help whiten teeth. This treatment can cost between $10 and $55, and the results remain for a minimum of four months. - Tray-based whitening
There are bleaching systems that have a tray which is like a mouth guard. This tray is covered with a paste or gel which is peroxide-based and the teeth are covered with this tray for a few hours daily for about a month. These whitening systems are available over the counter or some dentists can make a tray to custom-fit the mouth. They can cost around $150 to $600. - Kinds of toothpaste for teeth whitening
Whitening toothpaste does not have bleaching agents. They can help remove stains and polish teeth through other chemicals. These kinds of toothpaste aren’t very expensive and can make teeth one shade lighter. Peroxides are present in a few whitening kinds of toothpaste, but since they are not applied for long periods, the teeth don’t become whiter.
