Teeth Whitening Methods: All You Need to Know
Not everyone is blessed with naturally white teeth. And that’s okay because there are many ways you can whiten your teeth, from at-home whitening kits to professionally done dental office whitening.
By reading on, you’ll be able to learn about all the different types of good teeth whitening methods. Then, just pick the one you feel is the best for you!
And, if you’re somewhere around the Bloomingdale area, you can click here to visit our website and schedule your teeth whitening appointment.
Best Home Teeth Whitening Methods
If you’re not in the mood to pull up to a dental office, don’t worry. There are teeth whitening methods that you can practice in the comfort of your home.
And they’re also 100% natural!
Baking Soda
Baking soda has many extraordinary abilities outside of the kitchen. One of those talents is its ability to help you whiten your teeth because it contains natural whitening properties.
After all, that is why it’s often listed among the ingredients on the back of your toothpaste tube.
Aside from removing surface stains from your teeth, it also works as an antiseptic, leaving your mouth in a bacteria-free environment.
Now, baking soda won’t whiten your teeth overnight. It probably won’t be able to remove long-lasting stains either.
However, it’s great for keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. It can also be a great natural alternative to toothpaste!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Another great way to naturally whiten your teeth at home is by using hydrogen peroxide. This natural whitening agent is also found in many whitening products available on the market. Like baking soda, it also has antibacterial qualities.
However, using hydrogen peroxide in great amounts can cause irritation and sensitivity. So, if you end up using it, make sure to use a 3% or a 1.5% solution.
You can also mix it with baking soda and make a homemade whitening paste, which you can use a few times a week.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling falls into the bracket of alternative teeth whitening methods. It’s traditionally used in India, where it originated thousands of years ago. This method involves repeatedly pushing and pulling the oil through your teeth.
This method can have many benefits, especially if your oil of choice is something like coconut oil, which has many additional values.
In short, with oil, you can get rid of the bacteria in your mouth, as well as whiten your teeth, although minimally. The good thing is that, unlike other methods, oil pulling is safe since coconut oil is healthy and beneficial.
In fact, you can do this every day. Oil pulling doesn’t necessarily fit into the category of proven teeth whitening methods.
However, some people do claim noticeable results, and it’s known to be good for overall oral health.
Professional Teeth Whitening Methods
Photo Credit: Unsplash
While at-home methods can be suitable for maintaining a pearly white smile, they won’t give you one overnight, nor will they change the color of your teeth.
That’s why the best methods of teeth whitening involve visiting a professional.
Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening is one of the several popular teeth whitening procedures typically performed in dental offices. As the name suggests, this method uses teeth whitening lasers to bleach your teeth a whiter shade.
First, a gel is applied to the teeth, and then the laser is used to speed up the whitening process. Of course, a shield is put in place to protect the gums.
Also, because the procedure can sometimes contribute to tooth sensitivity, it can be a bit harsh. The sensitivity should go away in a matter of a day or two, though.
However, dentists don’t really recommend this procedure to patients with sensitive teeth.
This method of tooth whitening is faster than the others and produces an instant effect. Even after only one treatment, you should be able to see a noticeable difference. And, understandably, it’s also the most expensive method.
Zoom Teeth Whitening (LED)
This is another popular teeth whitening method used by dental professionals. Here, the process is somewhat similar to the laser method, and the key difference is that LED lights are used instead of a laser.
While Zoom teeth whitening takes a bit longer to yield results, it’s also less intense, which makes it the perfect fit for patients whose teeth are a tad too sensitive for laser teeth whitening. Zoom teeth whitening also has two different options, Zoom QuickPro and Zoom WhiteSpeed.
Zoom QuickPro
Just like the name says, this option is quick and easy. It only takes about half an hour and can get your teeth four shades brighter during one session.
Zoom WhiteSpeed
If you think Zoom QuickPro seems like a good deal, you’ll love Zoom WhiteSpeed. The truth is, the Zoom QuickPro is better when it comes to touch-ups.
However, Zoom WhiteSpeed is ideal if you want to whiten your teeth noticeably real quick. With this procedure, your teeth will be eight shades lighter in 45 minutes.
At-Home Bleaching Kits
Finally, we have teeth whitening kits. These kits are great because they’re both totally professional and handy to use at home. The best way to get your hands on one is to consult your dentist.
Firstly, you’ll have to get impressions of your teeth taken at the dental office. With these impressions, your dentist can create customized trays that will fit your mouth to a t.
The point of the trays is to make sure that your teeth are evenly covered in gel. Most kits will have one set of trays and a number of syringes filled with the gel.
However, some kits will come along with trays that are already pre-filled.
If you’re worried about how much gel to use, don’t worry – your dentist will inform you all about that. Just don’t go overboard because it won’t speed up the process.
In fact, if the gel keeps leaking out from the trays, it can cause damage to your gums.
When it comes to timing, well, some types of trays should be left in for about half an hour, while you can keep some in for as long as eight hours at a time. It all depends on the type of treatment you’re using.
Also, while this process might seem taxing, it pays off if you’re disciplined enough. Plus, many dentists consider it one of the best methods of teeth whitening.
About The Author:
Gilbert D. Curtis, DDS, is an associate professor at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He teaches both in the undergraduate Doctor of Dental Medicine curriculum and the Advanced Education General Dentistry Residency.
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