Teeth Whitening Methods
Anyone who wants to whiten their teeth can explore several different methods for doing so. Some teeth whitening techniques can be carried out at home, while others need to be performed by a dentist or someone trained in professional teeth whitening. Different methods have varying levels of effectiveness and their own pros and cons to consider.
Whitening toothpastes
You have probably seen whitening toothpastes available to buy in your local supermarket or chemist's. Plenty of toothpaste brands have a product that they market as a whitening toothpaste, but do they really work? They might promise to make your smile whiter, and even try to convince you using a study with small sample sizes, but the truth is that whitening toothpastes are not an effective method of whitening your teeth. You're unlikely to see much difference in colour from using a whitening toothpaste.
Whitening rinses
Another option that is available to use at home is whitening rinses. These can be used like a mouthwash and are designed to whiten your smile using ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide. At the same time, they can help to reduce plaque buildup like a normal mouthwash can. Whitening rinses can have an effect on the colour of your teeth, but it can take several months before you begin to see any difference that the product might have.
At-home bleaching
Bleaching kits can be bought to use at home, which allows you to bleach your own teeth without going to the dentist. They usually include bleaching strips or trays that you apply to your teeth. While these kits can be effective for getting a white smile, there are also several reasons to be wary of them. Firstly, they are not custom-made to fit you, so they may not fit your teeth correctly. This could mean that they are applied incorrectly, either not covering your teeth properly or overlapping onto the gums. The result of this can range from uneven results to burns on your gums. As these kits can run you several hundreds of pounds, you could be spending a lot of money to not only get poor results but also buy a dangerous product.
A safer alternative is to buy this type of product from a dentist. They can also supply whitening trays that you can use at home. The difference is that they can make the trays to fit your teeth, which ensures they are safer. You also have your dentist to supervise the treatment, and you can make an appointment if you have any concerns. However, teeth whitening is only available from private dentists, and you can expect to pay for the benefit of their professional services. In addition to paying for the whitening kit, you'll also be paying several hundred more for their time. You may also need to top up your treatment with regular bleaching to help keep your teeth white.
Laser bleaching
Laser teeth whitening is another service that dentists might offer for people who want to treat stained teeth. This is a teeth whitening procedure that involves a bleaching agent that is applied to your teeth and then activated using a light or laser. It's generally safer than using an at-home whitening kit, and you can start to see results quickly.
The gums and lips are protected, then a whitening gel is applied and activated by a light or laser. Teeth whitening sessions such as these often take around an hour, and you can see immediate results when you're finished.
Of course, laser bleaching is not the cheapest option. Your teeth won't stay white forever, either, which means that you will likely require further treatment later. The cost will vary, but you could be looking at a teeth bleaching cost starting from around £450 to £500 for laser whitening with Philips Zoom technology. One potential side effect of the treatment is sensitive teeth, and problems with gums or other complications can also be a risk.
While there are a number of methods for making yellow teeth whiter, it's important to be aware of all the facts. Whitening treatments might not be for you, especially if you're looking for a more affordable option to get whiter teeth. The risks involved in some whitening treatments also means that they may not be worth the price. Other treatments might not even be effective, even if they're less expensive.