If you are looking for the best teeth whitening products used in dental procedures, they are divided into two main types: professional bleaching and do it yourself kits available over the counter. Professional or chair-side bleaching is done by using a strong bleaching agent, either alone or with a laser light. The hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening gel is applied onto teeth and activated with a laser light. Some tooth whitening gels are self-activating while others are activated by laser light that takes about an hour and half to whiten teeth.
Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gels
If teeth whitening cost is not a major concern, then consider professional treatment. A major advantage of having tooth whitening done at the dentist is that the dentist will clean and polish your teeth before applying the gel thereby maximizing the results of whitened teeth.
There are a variety of whitening products used but some are more widely publicised than others and so have gained a wider reputation and brand awareness among consumers. Those perceived to be the best dental teeth whitening products include Britesmile and Zoom systems. Other lesser known but not necessarily less effective products include Opalescence, Rembrandt, LumaArch and Lasersmile.
Home Teeth Whitening Gel
Costing much less than professional procedure at the dentist, over the counter gels have a strong market despite being a somewhat tedious process that does not give results that match professional procedures. They are popular for those whom teeth whitening cost is a concern.
Home tooth whitening come in various formats. A mouth or dental tray is usually used to hold the gel that must be fitted over teeth either overnight or for a certain length of time. Since each product has their own degree of bleaching strength, the amount of time the gel is to be left on depends on each product’s recommendation.
For a more comfortable fit, custom teeth whitening trays can be ordered by sending a mould of your teeth to a dental lab that makes dental trays. With the “boil n bite” thermoform dental trays, you can mould the trays by placing them into hot water and mould the trays against your teeth by biting into them.
Video clip showing how to apply teeth whitening gel onto dental tray
Teeth Whitening Gel Strips To Whiten Your Teeth
There are gels that do not use trays but instead use strips and pens such as Crest, Colgate and Britesmile whitening pen. However tooth whitening strips may be difficult to keep in place as they tend to slip out of place once they become too wet and the tooth whitening gel is washed away.
Are Teeth Whitening Gels Safe?
According to studies, there are no changes or damage done to tooth surface that has been treated with 10% concentration bleaching solution – that’s the quantity commonly used. Teeth may feel a little sensitive to hot or cold fluid or air but this is considered a normal side effect that disappears after 24-48 hours. Desensitizing gel is also available to be applied after as well as over the counter desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne.
Can Teeth Whitening Gels Really Whiten Your Teeth
Do not expect miracles when using over the counter products. Even the best may not give you the result you want. It all depends on the original condition of your teeth. Some people see dramatic results in a few days while others take a few months. If your teeth are more yellow than gray, you have a better chance of getting whiter teeth than someone whose teeth color is more gray than yellow. Gray enamel is much harder to bleach and can take months to see results.
How Long Can Results Last
With proper maintenance, tooth whitening effects can last anywhere from 6 months up to a year. If you go for maintenance touching up every 4 months, you can extend results. So you can see how cost can add up considerably.
Which Teeth Whitening Gel Is Best
Which are the best for whitening of teeth? There is no objective scientific research done for the many brands and types of products on the market. Each has their own formula but as a guide, the higher the percentage of hydrogen peroxide or bleaching agent, the stronger the bleach and the less time is required to leave the teeth whitening gel on. However there is no conclusive evidence that a stronger bleaching agent is more effective. Some people feel that stronger teeth whitening gels cause increased teeth sensitivity.
The Difference Between Carbamide Peroxide And Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gels
Teeth whitening gels use two main types of bleaching agents. Opalescence and Nite White use carbamide peroxide, while Day White, Zoom and Nite White Turbo use hydrogen peroxide.
Comparatively, a 7.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 16% carbamide peroxide while a 9.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 26% carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide actually breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. So the real difference is the time taken for carbamide peroxide to break down into hydrogen peroxide which translates into longer wearing time.
Teeth Whitening Gel Cannot Whiten Your Teeth Evenly
The areas near the gums tend to be less white than the flat biting areas of the teeth. This is because the enamel around the gum is thinner and shows through the colour of the teeth. This is more noticeable if you have gray teeth and the demarcation between white and gray teeth is quite distinct. If your teeth has uneven areas of calcification, your teeth can also appear uneven with white spots and look blotchy. If this happens, you can wait for the blotchy areas to fade before continuing with tooth whitening to get a more even appearance.
How Long To Continue Using Teeth Whitening Gel
Once you feel you are satisfied with the level of whiteness of your teeth, you can discontinue the treatment. In most cases, the whiteness will reach a point where it does not get any whiter in about 2 weeks where it will fade a little before stabilizing. Generally, you should stop after about 2 weeks of using the gel. Try and compare the various products and weigh costs before making your choice.
Related:
Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel
Custom Teeth Whitening Trays For A Better Fit
Effective Home Teeth Whitening Products
