Methods for Whitening Your Teeth

If you have stains that won’t seem to go away and are interested in a brighter, whiter smile, you may be considering teeth whitening. Although many people rush to their dentists or grab an at home whitening kit from a drug store, there are many other options that are available that may work and save you time and money. Here are some of the options that are available to you.

Go see your dentist!

The first step you should take is to go to your dentist. Sometimes, a professional cleaning will take care of the stains. Dentists have access to more specialized tools and methods that can do a much more thorough job of cleaning that simply brushing. If you feel you are a candidate for or really want to get whiter teeth ask him or her about which method may be right for you.

Simple methods may work

Sometimes the easiest way to get whiter teeth may be the most simple. There are numerous whitening toothpastes that work very well for most people. If your stains are not too set on, one of these may work for you. Another simple solution may be to change your personal habits. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent stains from getting to the point of needing to be whitened. Additionally, tobacco, coffee, tea, and wine can be a key culprit in causing your stains. If you work to limit or eliminate these from your diets you may find that your teeth will become naturally whiter.

Bleaching Trays and Laser Treatments

If you and your dentist have determined that you need more than just simple maintenance and care to whiten your smile, you may be a candidate for teeth bleaching. This procedure is very simple and can be done during your own time or in some cases at night while you sleep. The treatment is as easy as apply bleaching gel to a tray or strip and applying the tray or strip to your teeth. The bleaching gels go to work eliminating the stains and over a course of treatments you will notice a brighter looking smile.

Tray whitening works for 90% of people without any side effects or issues. There are a few factors that may cause you to not be an ideal candidate for the procedure. The type of stain that you have matters. Bleaching works typically with yellow stains, but not with gray or brown. If you have sensitive teeth or gum related issues, the traditional whitening trays may not be a good choice for you. The process typically causes mild tooth sensitivity in everyone, so if you already have sensitive teeth, the procedure may intensify your pain. You are also not a good candidate if you have had dental work such as crowns, fillings, or veneers. The bleaching procedure will not work on teeth with these procedures.

One of the newest teeth whitening methods is laser treatments. This method consists of having a dentist apply a concentrated bleaching agent to your teeth and then heating it with a laser. The outcome is a faster whitening experience under the care of a licensed dentist. This method is expensive however and should only be done after consulting a dentist.

More About Teeth Whitening : Risks Involved