Whitening your teeth is one way to brighten your smile, increase your confidence and help you look younger and more vibrant. You may have experienced some discoloration from smoking, drinking coffee or tea or antibiotic use. Most of the various methods of teeth whitening will work, but they vary in the degrees of effectiveness based on the amount and strength of the ingredient used to bleach your teeth.
Over-the-Counter Bleaching Trays
You can purchase a bleaching tray kit that consists of a gel with bleach and a mouth tray designed to hold the gel on your teeth for a specific amount of time. Some of the trays come with instructions to mold it to your mouth, and others are pre-molded in a design that will work in most mouths. Before using an over-the-counter bleaching tray, take a trip to the dentist for a checkup and consultation.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips
One of the least expensive methods of whitening your teeth is the over-the-counter whitening strip. You peel the protective covering off the strip and place it on your teeth for a designated amount of time. Although they can help whiten your teeth, they may slip out of place. Since your teeth don't have perfectly flat surfaces, they may also give you an uneven result.
In-Office Laser or Light Treatment
Many dentists provide laser or light whitening treatments in their offices by using a combination of a laser light with gel bleach. According to an article on DocShop.com, the dentist will pull the lips away from the teeth and apply a bleaching gel. Then a laser or light is used to enhance the effects of the gel. An advantage of having this procedure done is that the dentist can monitor the process according to your needs.
Whitening Swabs
You can use special whitening swabs to brighten your smile. The process involves swabbing the gel directly onto your teeth in the areas that need whitening. Some of the brands have the whitener already in the swab, and others come with the whitening agent in a separate container. All you have to do is dip the wet swab into the agent and apply it to your teeth. Whitening swabs are inexpensive compared to professional teeth whitening. They are easy to use, and they don't require much time.
Whitening Rinse
The least expensive method of whitening your teeth is a pre-rinse that contains a bleaching agent. Before you brush your teeth, you swish the whitening rinse in your mouth, making sure it washes over all your teeth surfaces. After a minute or two, you spit out the rinse and brush as usual. This method takes more applications than the other methods, and the results may not be as dramatic as you'll see with other types of teeth whitening.
