Dental whitening is a very popular dental treatment that is marketed both by dentists and companies. On a superficial level, the chemicals and the method of treatment used in the products seem to be the same. However, the efficacy and speed of the treatment is something that the person seeking dental whitening should consider before choosing main teeth whitening products or services.
Whitening Products
Strips and gels are the easiest and most convenient main teeth whitening products to use. Most dental whitening gums have one or more whitening ingredients. Sodium ascorbate and malic acid are mildly acidic when in the mouth and are erosive thus removing stains. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a mild abrasive. It is used as a home remedy to whiten teeth and is also used in commercially produced whitening gums. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate fights plaque and tartar and also whitens teeth. Titanium dioxide helps to whiten teeth by its abrasive action. Whitening gums do make teeth look whiter but are not strong enough for very badly stained teeth. They are affordable and practical for maintaining whitened teeth.
Whitening Pens
Whitening spot treatment pens are usually carbamide peroxide peroxide-based and can be used to remove a stain that is concentrated on a spot. The carbamide peroxide becomes hydrogen peroxide when applied to the teeth. They are best used immediately after eating or drinking something that stains the teeth. They are used to maintain white teeth rather than as a primary whitening treatment. Their advantage is that they are affordable and can be used to target particular teeth.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips adhere to the teeth and transfer whitening agents to the tooth surface. Most of them are hydrogen peroxide-based. They help to keep the whitening agent on the tooth better than those that are applied and can be easily washed away by the lips or saliva. They show better results when used consistently as per the advice of the manufacturer.
Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is one of the main teeth whitening products. It is composed of mild abrasives combined with low levels of hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. The most commonly used abrasives are hydrated silica, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium carbonate. Whitening toothpaste shows results after being used for a period of time.
Toothbrushes
Whitening toothbrushes have special bristles that are designed to better remove stains from teeth.
Whitening Light
Some whitening kits have whitening agents that are applied to the tooth surface and then activated by a blue LED light. This light helps the ingredients penetrate the tooth surface better. While UV light is usually used in a clinical setting, blue light has a similar action without the risk of a UV light.
Whitening Trays
Whitening trays are sold over-the-counter and as take-home kits in dental offices. The dental office provided trays are custom made to the contours of each individual’s teeth. The trays contain gel-based whitening agents at a lower concentration than the ones used in a clinic. They give good results when used over a period of time as recommended by the manufacturer or dentist.
