Whitening Agents and Limitations
Teeth whitening products are available for at-home use, or you can have your teeth professional bleached in your dentist’s office. The American Dental Association (ADA) says that while whitening products generally provide a brighter a smile, they don't necessarily work well on all types of darkened teeth. Yellow-hued teeth may respond well to bleaching agents, while the effects on brownish teeth may not be as impressive, and grayish-colored teeth may remain unchanged. In addition, teeth whiteners won’t work on tooth-colored fillings or crowns.
Professional Bleaching
If your dentist thinks your teeth will respond favorably to bleaching, she may recommend an in-office procedure known as chairside bleaching.
Prior to treatment, your dentist will use a special gel or rubber shield to protect your gums from the bleaching agent that will be placed on the teeth. In some cases, lasers are used to stimulate the action of the whitening agent.
Professional teeth whitening may require more than one treatment. Each application takes approximately 45 minutes.
Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products
There are several types of teeth whitening products available in drugstores and grocery outlets for use at home. Bleaching solutions contain different concentrations of carbamide peroxide (10 to 22 percent) that bleach the tooth enamel. These whitening gels are spread on a mouthguard and inserted in the mouth. Some are designed for overnight use for a period of 1 to 2 weeks, while others are used twice daily.
Teeth whitening agents are also available in strips that are placed over the teeth, usually for a period of 30 minutes, twice a day. According to Crest, its Whitestrips work because the narrow transparent bands are created to conform to your teeth. This feature keeps the whitening gel in place long enough to remove stain buildup below the tooth enamel.
Whitening Toothpastes
The ADA says whitening toothpastes do not lighten teeth but rather contain special polishing ingredients that have stain removal benefits that are not found in regular toothpaste.
According to the Mayo Clinic, whitening toothpastes may use sodium tripolyphosphate that helps make stains disappear. They sometimes contain abrasives that polish teeth.
Whitening toothpastes used after professional or at-home bleaching treatments may help maintain whiter teeth by keeping the outer surface of your teeth stain-free.
