While the idea of teeth whitening might be daunting, there are many reasons why you may wish to pursue it. Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and least invasive ways to achieve a brighter smile without resorting to invasive procedures. For some people, though, actually having their teeth professionally whitened is not an option due to time or financial restrictions. In this case, at-home methods can be employed to give similar results in a shorter amount of time and for a far lower cost.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what you can and cannot do when attempting teeth whitening at home. One popular misconception is that mouthwashes will make your teeth whiter faster. At the same time, another one suggests that products such as whitening toothpaste and whitening strips will provide the same effects.
The truth of the matter is that there is no way to make your teeth whiter faster except by eating (but not brushing) edible dark chocolate. There is also no evidence to suggest that mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide will do anything at all for your teeth other than clean them.
However, some studies have shown that certain mouth rinses containing fluoride may slow down the discoloration of your teeth over time and reduce further stains from forming on them in the future. Whitening kinds of toothpaste generally don’t contain any bleaching agents but instead help remove surface stains by using abrasive ingredients such as calcium carbonate or silica which clean teeth by mechanically scrubbing away stains.
Whitening strips are more effective than brushing alone but not nearly as effective as professional treatment done in a dentist’s office. However, better results can be achieved with whitening strips if you combine them with some form of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, which is why many people opt for this combination when trying to achieve whiter teeth on their own.
Many products contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, while others may include an amount that varies between 0.1%-3%. When using any product, you should bear in mind that it will take time before any visible results are achieved. The only way to achieve the full maximum effect is by repeating applications regularly for an extended period – roughly around one month.
1. Benefits of teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most common and least invasive (and irreversible) procedures any person can undergo to achieve a whiter, brighter smile that helps them look younger and more attractive.
The use of at-home methods to brighten your teeth can be effective if carried out correctly. Still, results will not necessarily be achieved as quickly (or even attainable) as when having such treatments done in a dentist’s office. However, the cost of undergoing this procedure with your Palos Verdes dentist is often much higher than doing it yourself and can sometimes be compared with having veneers fitted, for example. Many people cannot afford to go under the knife to improve their smile, and in these cases, at-home treatments are the only realistic option.
Many products out there aim to help you improve your smile in just one rather than several weeks, but most of them only contain the same amount of active ingredients as most standard over-the-counter products and, in some cases, even less.
Other reasons why people decide to carry out teeth whitening at home is because they don’t want to undergo any treatment that may potentially damage their gums or leave them in pain for days on end, or because they know that their time is limited and that they would prefer to spend it doing other things rather than sitting at a dentist’s office for hours on end.
Whatever your reason, maybe, if you’re prepared to spare some of your time to achieve its effects, then you can probably do so yourself without having an ongoing professional relationship with a dentist.
2. Who is it for teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is something that can be done by anyone of any age, assuming they’re in good health and don’t have any conditions or allergies that may prevent them from having it done.
Anyone who prefers to avoid undergoing professional treatment at their local dentist will likely find that instead of relying on products such as whitening toothpaste alone, a combination of both may work better for some people.
It’s not uncommon for many dentists to desensitize the gums and teeth before performing more intensive procedures such as teeth whitening. Whitening your teeth is often part of an overall smile makeover, including dental veneers, implants, and crowns – all of these methods probably cost less than you imagine if carried out correctly.
For this reason, it’s essential for anyone who has recently undergone any form of dental treatment (or is about to do so) to discuss what effects whitening may have on your gums, lips, or soft tissues before deciding if you wish to do it yourself or not.
It may also be advisable for you to carry out teeth whitening only after some time following some procedures such as gum surgery or perhaps even laser treatment performed by your dentist. If in doubt, the best advice would always be to check with your dentist first before trying any products at all.