Teeth Whitening Guide
At Home Teeth Whitening Guide: For A Smile That Never Goes Out Of Style
Do you hesitate to smile because your discolored teeth embarrass you?
Do not get embarrassed and try to hide your teeth rather accept the fact and work on getting the whiteness back. There are millions of people across the world that face similar issues; while some get it treated as soon as the very first yellowish/off-white tinge appears on their teeth, others delay till it becomes prominent and embarrassing.
Of course getting your teeth whitened at the earliest opportunity possible is the best thing to do, and going one better would be to prevent tooth discoloration from happening in the first place. Dentists always advice to brush at least three times a day and to go for dental check ups as well as thorough tooth cleaning at regular intervals.
You might be the most attractive man or woman on planet earth but without beautifully set and white sparkling teeth your beauty will never be complete. So, in order to keep your beauty intact it is very important to take proper care of your teeth. Whatever the condition of your smile today, it can be changed.
There may be several reasons why people get stains on their teeth. These reasons may include the following:
1) Lack of a regular dental hygiene routine coupled with inadequate brushing and flossing can result in staining and cavities
2) Food and drink stains such as coffee, soda, wine and tea can leave your teeth dull and dark.
3) Some medication such as Tetracycline and doxycycline can cause tooth darkening as well
4) Chewing tobacco and cigarette smoking often cause stubborn brown stains on your teeth
5) Aging – It’s natural for our teeth to become discolored over time because of age
Although factors like aging cannot be avoided there are many other things that you can do to minimize tooth discoloration such as brushing, flossing and having regular dental checkups. In this article we will discuss what you can do to regain the whiteness of your teeth in your own home and put that beautiful smile back on your face.
About a few decades back, teeth whitening was a fairly complex process and the only way to whiten your teeth was to visit a dentist. Going to the dentist is still your best option for professional and effective teeth bleaching even though it can be a time consuming and expensive procedure. But times have changed. Because of the technology available today, teeth whitening is easier and more affordable than ever.
You have a wider range of alternatives to choose from, especially if you plan to do it yourself. At home whitening is now as effective as dental office treatments, in addition to being less expensive and more convenient. In fact it is now possible (in most cases) to achieve “dental office” quality teeth whitening, from the comfort of your own home.
Over the years people have become more conscious of how they look. Today people go to great lengths and spend tons of money when it comes to their outwardly appearance; be it their figures, hair, nails, skin, eating habits, clothes etc. But then, who doesn’t want to look good, right?
And with your pearly whites being an important part of the whole package, the demand for teeth whitening products is at an all time high. Today, there’s a wide range of teeth whitening kits and bleaching formulas available for you to choose from so that you can give your choppers a bright and invigorated look!
It is understandable that in your busy life where you have several things to do and take care of, going to a dentist becomes quite a hassle. This is why, these teeth whitening kits help you save time, money and make teeth cleaning convenient and affordable for you.
Basically, there are three different main types of home teeth whitening products, plus toothpaste that are available:
1. Teeth whitening strips
2. Teeth whitening trays with bleaching gels
3. Brush on whitening
4. Teeth whitening toothpaste
1) Teeth Whitening Trays with Bleaching Gels
This is the most effective of the teeth whitening methods. Trays with 
bleaching gels provide the best combination of the most affordable and the most efficient teeth whitening available today. In this method, you would apply a whitening gel on a tooth guard or tray. You would then have to wear the tray over your teeth for a prescribed number of minutes or hours for a couple of times a day. You can choose to use an over-the counter tray or a custom tray made by your dentist.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to visit the dentist, you can still have custom trays for your teeth. Some online sites – such as Teeth Whitening Express – that offer teeth whitening services now also offer tray customization. They usually send you a molding material and instructions on how to mold your teeth. You would then have to mail your mold back to them to create a tray that will specifically fit your teeth. Trays made this way are usually more accurate than over the counter products.
Disadvantages
The inherent disadvantage of do-it-yourself kits for trays and teeth molds is that the accurate fit of the end products depends largely on your molding skills. Since you are not an expert, there is a possibility that you could be a little inaccurate with your mold. An ill-fitting tray could cause too much spilling that could damage your teeth and gums. You may also experience some sensitivity from the bleaching.
Price Range:
A home bleaching kit offered by your dentist will run about $150 to $600 while an over-the-counter or mail order tray will cost from $10-$150.
2) Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips are one of the most popular whitening products that you can use to improve your smile. Whitening strips are not only affordable, they are convenient to use, especially at home. Just pull out a strip, place the coated side directly on your teeth, and let it stay there for half an hour, everyday, for two to four weeks. It’s that easy.
Disadvantages
One disadvantage of whitening strips is gum irritation – If you have sensitive gums and teeth, this seriously limits your choices of teeth whitening strips.
The shape of the whitening strips – if the whitening strips can’t cover all of your teeth, this could result in uneven whitening.
Sometimes these strips don’t stick very well to your teeth – make sure your teeth are dry before you apply the strips, so they don’t slide off your teeth.
(Useful Tip: A better alternative to whitening strips is Maximum Teeth Whitening. It contains the same strength of carbamide peroxide that the dentist uses to bleach teeth. This means that you can actually get a professional whitened looking smile at home. Unlike the dentist, Maximum Teeth Whitening is very inexpensive. In fact it costs about 10% of what your dentist would charge and is even less than the cost of many whitening strip kits).
Price Range: $10-$55
3) Brush-on Whitening
This method can be considered the lazy man’s way to whiten your teeth. It’s quick, simple and inexpensive when compared to other teeth whitening methods. You would just brush on the formula; allow it to dry on your teeth, and then let it stay on your teeth overnight. What can be simpler than that? Brush-on whitening might be a good alternative for you if you find strips and trays to be uncomfortable.
Disadvantages
Most of these products contain alcohol and glycerin. Alcohol can result in dry mouth, which can in turn lead to bad breath, while the glycerin can cause tooth sensitivity.
These formulas will not work if you have caps, bonding or veneers.
By their very nature, these formulas do not have the ability to stay on your teeth surface long enough to give you your desired level of whiteness.
Price Range: $15-$100
4) Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is yet another quick, easy and inexpensive way to whiten your teeth. All you do is brush your teeth daily as you normally would for a brighter smile. Before you buy, take a look at the products ingredients, as some brands are more abrasive than others. Make sure you choose toothpaste – like the TheraBrite brand – that does not contain any harsh or abrasive ingredients that can harm your teeth. Keep in mind that whitening toothpaste is normally only effective on mild stains on your teeth and it is best used to maintain or preserve your professional in-office or at home whitening.
Disadvantages
Don’t expect the same results from other tooth whitening methods. It will take longer to see results and the change would not be very visible.
Also, some teeth whitening toothpaste can actually make your teeth more sensitive.
Some teeth whitening toothpaste that contain harsh or abrasive ingredients can actually damage your teeth.
Price Range: $2-$15
Tips for Optimum Tooth Whitening
a) Get a dental checkup and professional cleaning before your at home teeth whitening
b) Brush and floss your teeth prior to teeth whitening
c) Use form-fitting mouth trays
d) Use a bleaching gel with a concentration of at least 21% carbamide peroxide
e) If you are using trays with bleaching gels, do not eat, drink or smoke while
f) Follow product application and duration instructions very carefully to avoid any damage to teeth and gums
What to look for in a teeth-whitening system
Easy of use – is the product easy to use? How many steps are involved in the process? How often do you need to use it and how long does each session take?
Clear directions – make sure the directions, such as how long to leave the product on are very clear and easy to follow.
Fits into your schedule – Some products require that you leave them on for a few hours a day, while others only need a fraction of the time. So if it doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle you probably will stop using it altogether.
The overall cost – teeth whitening is not just a one shot deal. To keep that bright smile you have to maintain it. Be sure to take this fact into consideration when choosing a product.
Product safety – you should check the products ingredients and always follow all directions carefully to avoid any potential damage to your teeth and gums.
How convenient is the product to use – would you be able to in cooperate it into your overall dental care routine? Is there any mixing or measuring involved in the process?
Your choice of a teeth-whitening method should be based on how serious the tooth staining is. For example, yellowness caused by coffee or red wine can benefit from some bleaching. On the other hand, smoking and tetracycline may cause more serious staining and/or discoloration that may benefit from more thorough bleaching or alternative methods.
Before using a teeth-whitening system, it’s always wise to consult with a dentist. Focus not only on how white you want your teeth to be, but also other factors such as sensitivity, overall condition of your teeth, and which method best suits you.
Teeth Whitening Home Remedies
There are also several teeth whitening home remedies that you can try if you’re up to it. A few popular methods are mentioned below, feel free to include them in your tooth-whitening program and I’m quite sure you will be well on your way to attain a sparkling white set of teeth.
Here’s a quick look at these home remedies:
Home Remedy #1 – You may consider applying a paste of salt and lemon on your yellow teeth. It has been observed that lemon and salt can work wonders to remove the yellowish tinge from your teeth and get the whiteness back.
Home Remedy #2 – Did you know that an orange skin can also do a lot in order to whiten your teeth? In case you didn’t, then allow me to share this secret with you. Next time you have an orange; do not make the mistake of throwing its peel away. Keep it and use it to rub its whiter side on your discolored teeth. Do it regularly and you might just be pleasantly surprised with the effect it has.
Home Remedy #3 – It is advisable that you use a paste of bi-carbonate of soda with water on a regular basis. Doing so is likely to remove the stains on the surface on your teeth. Now, how quickly it can remove the stains depends on how often you use it.
Home Remedy #4 – Another secret to whiten your discolored teeth is to use dried and powdered bay leaves along with dried orange peel on your teeth. This can act as a great whitener.
All the above-mentioned home remedies for whitening your teeth can give excellent results provided they are followed regularly. Remember, these home remedies have the best results if they are followed when yellowish stains first start appearing on your teeth.
However, getting your teeth whitened or bleached does have its share of pros and cons and before you opt to whiten your teeth in any way, the following section will help you make an informed choice.
Teeth Whitening Advantages
1) There are many advantages of whitening your teeth. As I have already mentioned earlier in this article that white and flawless teeth add to your appearance and personality. It not only makes you look good but also boosts your overall personality. It enhances the beauty of your smile and makes you feel more confident about yourself.
2) In case wrinkles have started appearing on your face then having a set of white sparkling teeth helps you smile better, which in turn hides the wrinkles and gives you a more energetic and youthful look.
3) Having a whiter set of teeth can improve your self-image and can be a real confidence booster.
Teeth Whitening Disadvantages
Here’s a brief look at the disadvantages of teeth whitening as well:
A) Although bleaching is considered to be an effective method of whitening your teeth, it might have some negative side-effects like sore gums and although this goes away with the discontinuation of bleach, there are many who are over sensitive to chemicals, therefore; if you also have similar problems then it is best to consult a cosmetic dentist before choosing any bleaching formula.
B) Studies have shown that in most cases bleaches are very effective but in case of major teeth discoloration, bleaching might not be very effective. In that case, you need to consult a dentist to help you deal with your situation better.
C) You may feel uncomfortable wearing the mouth trays that come with your teeth whitening kit.
D) These mouth trays may not fit you. In case of a misfit you need to go to your dentist. He/she can fix it for you provided there are only minor alterations to be done.
Now that we’ve seen the pros and cons of teeth whitening, you probably are in a better position to decide whether you should opt for such a procedure, be it at home or anywhere else.
However, with all the hype about teeth whitening, you may be wondering if teeth whitening really work at all. Well, just in case you had your doubts, read on to find out the exact answer.
To put it simply, yes, it does. But yes, its effectiveness varies depending on the condition of your teeth and the type of product you are using. In case your teeth are severely discolored then these home remedies and tooth whitening kits might not do you much good. Having said this, these remedies are definitely worth a try, especially the home remedies where you have nothing to lose.
Natural teeth whitening remedies apart, there may be a few downsides to other teeth whitening procedures in the form of slightly unpleasant side effects.
There is no doubt that using teeth whitening kits and bleaches can be effective in helping you get back the whiteness of your teeth but along with white teeth you may also have to content with unwanted side-effects that you didn’t bargain for.
Here’s a look at how teeth whitening can affect you negatively:
1) In case your tooth is exposed to bleaching agents for a long period of time it may damage your tooth enamel.
2) Wrong administration of the treatment can lead to complications like irritation in your gums.
3) The oxidizing agents that are used are usually very strong and can hamper your soft mouth tissues.
4) Bleaching can also lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold fluids and even air.
5) In the case of home bleaching, there is a chance that you may ingest some of the bleaching gel. In such a case, you might experience burning or nausea.
Where to Buy Teeth Whitening Products
Now that you know all about home teeth whitening, your next step would be to go out and purchase a kit. To save you some time I’ve complied a list of some of the most effective and affordable solutions on the market today. Click here to see my list of recommendations.
Conclusion
After having gone through this article you probably have a fair idea about ‘teeth whitening’ at home.
However, to conclude, do remember that prevention is better than cure, so kick bad habits like smoking, drinking, too much junk food, carbonated drinks etc and maintain the white shine of your teeth with good habits such as brushing regularly and visiting the dentist for periodical checkups to ensure that your smile never goes out of style.
