What are the Best Teeth Whitening Products?
Brushing and flossing daily can help keep your teeth clean and free of decay – but if they’ve lost their sparkle or are looking yellow, don’t worry! Below are some of the best teeth whitening products that work the best for you.
Why do the Colors of my Teeth Change?
There are two types of tooth discolorations:
- Extrinsic discoloration: This can be thought of as a surface stain because discoloration is isolated to the enamel, or the outer layer of the teeth. Typically associated with habits and/or behaviors such as using tobacco, consuming colored beverages like red wine, coffee, tea, or cola, or consuming foods that stains your teeth.
- Intrinsic stains: Within the enamel the color of your teeth can change due to aging or genetic disorders as dentinogenesis imperfecta. Your tooth enamel becomes more translucent when you age, allowing the more yellow dentin to show through and resulting giving in a yellowish appearance. The stains can be yellow or brown in color, but they can also be gray or white in color as well.
What Are the Best Teeth Whitening Products?
The following teeth whitening options have varying benefits:
- Whitening toothpaste: A good at-home whitening toothpaste can assist in subtly removing stains, diminishing the appearance of yellowness, and improve your oral health. Whitening toothpastes contain polishing agents that boost stain removal. The ADA notes that whitening toothpaste products primarily remove extrinsic stains and will typically not impact intrinsic stains.
- Over the counter bleaching products: Whitening gels or strips, over the counter bleaching products are readily available at grocery stores or pharmacies. They usually contain one of two tooth bleaches that break stains down into smaller pieces, giving the appearance of whiter teeth.
- Professional teeth whitening: Contain higher a much higher concentration of bleaching agents than over the counter bleaching products, in-office bleaching whitens teeth typically in one whitening session. The dentist covers your gums with a protective gel or rubber shield and then applies bleach to your teeth and sometimes involve lights or lasers.
- At-home bleaching tray: Custom-made bleaching trays are a good smile-brightening option. Your dentist will provide directions for preparing the tray with the whitening gel and how long to place it in your mouth. These trays are also available as over the counter products.
What Are the Risks of Teeth Whitening?
Risks commonly reported with tooth whitening include increased tooth sensitivity and mild gingival irritation, which happens because peroxide in the whitener may reach the teeth’s dentin layer and irritate the nerve of your teeth. The degree of these side effects is directly related to the concentration of the peroxide bleach component, duration of the treatment, and the non-bleach composition of the product used.
Selecting products with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance ensures that those products are safe and won’t have adverse effects on your teeth.
Teeth whitening procedures will fade over time, overuse can cause damage to your teeth and gums. If you have questions, consult your dentist prior to starting teeth whitening to avoid causing potentially serious or lasting harm to your teeth or oral health.
Choosing the best teeth whitener can be tricky, there’s an option for almost every budget and type of tooth discoloration. Check with your dentist to get the smile of your dreams!
When to Visit the Dentist
Call the dentists at Stonelodge Dental if you have questions about the best teeth whitening products. If you have a wedding or family gathering where pictures you may need to whiten your teeth. Our team at Stonelodge Dental, are highly trained and dedicated dental professionals. The doctors at Stonelodge Dental is committed to helping you and your family maintain excellent oral health for life.
If you have painful sores on your tongue and would like more information about your options, schedule an appointment online call 214-613-1500 today.