Teeth Whitening System – Which One is For You?

A teeth whitening system is a method of obtaining a healthier and brighter teeth. It comes in different forms including products available over the counter or a professional service from a licensed dentist. Teeth whitening products can be in a gel form, toothpaste or whitening agents prescribed by dentists. A teeth whitening system only applies to people with healthy and natural teeth meaning it is not for people who have false teeth, dentures and jackets. A person with yellow-colored teeth is the perfect candidate for using a teeth whitening system. 

A Teeth Whitening System Can Be Any of The Following:

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes are considered as the most common and the most convenient teeth whitening system. They contain active ingredients that gently remove stains and polish the teeth.  Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach and is very safe to the gums and mouth. However, whitening toothpastes typically lightens the color of the teeth only by a single shade.

Whitening Gel and Strip

This teeth whitening system can be purchased over the counter. Whitening gels contain an active ingredient called peroxide that can be applied to the surface of the teeth using a small brush. Application should be done at least twice a day with results visible after a few days. However it would take four months to achieve best results. Whitening strips are thin strips that contain whitening gels that has peroxide. They are also applied at least twice a day and results are pretty much similar to whitening gels.

Tray-Based Tooth Whitening

A tray-based teeth whitening system can be purchased from a dentist or over the counter. This system is a bit more complicated than whitening toothpastes, strips and gels because it requires the use of a tray that can be fit inside the mouth. The tray, containing a whitening gel, will be placed inside the mouth for at least 2 hours a day for four weeks, depending on the stains that need to be removed.   

In-Office Whitening System

This teeth whitening system is actually the easiest, fastest and most efficient way to whiten teeth. It is usually performed by a licensed dentist. In this system, a whitening agent is directly applied to the patient’s teeth with the aid of heat coming from a laser light, which speeds up the process of whitening. Results can be seen immediately after the treatment but it would take several sessions to achieve the best outcome.  

It is important to note that the result of any teeth whitening system is not permanent although some can whiten the teeth longer than others. Also, the extent of whiteness will depend on the condition of the individual’s teeth. To obtain more information about teeth whitening, it is best to consult a dentist.