By Alicia Murphy


If you smoke or drink lots of coffee or dark colored drinks, the yellowing of your teeth will be worse. Our teeth have a tendency to yellow with time and age as it is. To help increase confidence and self-esteem, there are several teeth whitening solutions available to help restore the color of your teeth to their natural white.

Some over the counter whitening products are so normal now that it's almost impossible to find them without whitening ingredients. For instance whitening toothpaste, which is effective in reducing yellowing over time by removing light surface stains. You can usually get about about 1 shade lighter with this product.

Experts believe that whitening mouthwashes are less effective due to them being in contact with the teeth for such a short amount of time.

Over the counter whitening strips and gels contain one of two bleaches - carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Gels are brushed on with a small brush, while strips are applied to your teeth, usually twice daily. Tray-based whitening systems work the same way and can be bought over the counter or from a dentist.

There are a few downsides to whitening systems purchased over the counter. Most have a one size fits all approach and are reliant on customers using them in the right way, which if not, can cause them to be less effective. There are also a few risks involved, such as gum damage due to chemical exposure. Whitening trays not fitted properly can potentially cause permanent damage, costing more to fix.

Uneven whitening can happen if you have crowns or fillings making your teeth look worse instead of better. Also, if you are pregnant or lactating, waiting until after the baby is weaned is important. Children under 16 should not use whitening products. If you have sensitive teeth, speak with your dentist first. Cavities and gum problems should be addressed prior to whitening as additional damage can occur.

While in-office whitening solutions may be more expensive there are a lot of benefits. They are properly supervised and steps are taken to ensure you will not have any problems from the chosen procedure.

If stains are severe, your dentist may suggest crowns or porcelain veneers. You may also be able to purchase customized trays that are made from impressions of your own teeth. These trays can reduce the risk of tooth and gum damage.




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