It seems that teeth whitening products have gone from just a couple of options to expanding over entire sections in pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores.
With this rapid increase in options, figuring out which one is best for you is surely a challenge. How do we know if we want the whitening pre-rise mouth wash, or the 30-minute whitening strips? Do we want 3D whitening toothpaste, or just a five-minute gel?
To figure out which teeth whitening options are right for you, decide if you simply want to remove surface stains or actually change the color of your teeth with a peroxide-based bleaching agent.
All toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help keep teeth clean, but if you want to remove surface stains, whitening pastes and rinses contain additional polishing or chemical agents that have extra stain-removing ability. According to the Canadian Dental Association, today’s teeth cleaners have more preventive abilities, reducing plaque build-up, preventing tooth decay and making gingivitis less of a problem.
Trying the thin, almost-invisible strips coated with bleaching gel to whiten your teeth and physicaly change the color also has its benefits. You can get whiter teeth within just a couple of days, however there are a few risks, so it is a good idea to get professional advice. Gum irritation and tooth sensitivity are common bleaching side effects. Also, excessive bleaching has the potential to pit tooth enamel and cause nerve damage.
For more information on cosmetic dentistry and whitening options, check out our cosmetic dentistry videos.
Modified on: Nov 22, 2011