Is Tooth Whitening for You?
Have you noticed there are a lot extremely white teeth running around these days? That’s because tooth whitening has become almost as popular as brushing and flossing these days. Here are some tooth whitening options.
At home. Product choices abound. Over-the-counter whitening strips can be purchased in any drugstore and, though easy to use, are not as effective as other options. Whitening toothpastes contain chemical additives to remove stains, but usually do not contain bleach. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the product’s label to make sure you are making a safe choice. Bleaching kits typically involve smearing gel on a mouthguard which is then inserted in the mouth for 30 minutes or longer, at a variety of intervals. Products come in several concentrations, so care should be taken when selecting a product. Bleach can cause tooth sensitivity; poorly fitting mouthguards can irritate gums. (The dentist can fabricate a custom mouthguard to overcome the latter problem.)
At the dentist. Your dentist may offer “chairside bleaching”, a procedure which takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes the procedure takes several visits, but often, whitening can be accomplished in one trip - hence the attraction. Chairside bleaching can be done with a strong bleaching agent alone, or in combination with a laser which enhances the power of the bleach.
Cost. Whitening strips and whitening toothpastes are the least expensive, and the more effective at home bleaching kits run about $300 or less. Chairside whitening treatments run $300-$600 per visit.
Safety. Carbarmide peroxide is the most widely used bleaching agent. At home products with a 10% concentration of this cleaning agent are approved by the ADA. Temporary tooth sensitivity is an unavoidable side effect of bleaching, but it affects people in widely varying degrees. People experiencing extreme sensitivity can spread out the treatments. They will eventually attain the same results. Desensitizing gels and toothpastes are available, but they are not always effective.
Keep in mind that whitening is not effective for every type of staining. Bluish stains in particular are resistant to whitening. And be careful not to overdo it. Unnaturally bright teeth are just as unattractive as overly stained ones.
(Photo by prozaciswack on Flikr.)
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