Whiter teeth is a goal for many people, and an easily achievable one using modern technology. Peroxide, either hydrogen peroxide or the more stable variant carbamide peroxide, is the main ingredient in all teeth whiteners used today. Teeth whiteners can brighten teeth from one to 10 shades lighter on a standard tooth color chart. The American Dental Association (ADA) considers peroxide-based whitening to be effective and safe, although some mild side effects are possible, such as tooth sensitivity and temporary irritation of the gums.
Professional Bleaching
Dentists usually use a hydrogen peroxide gel at up to 35 percent concentration, sometimes utilizing lasers to increase the speed and effectiveness of the whitening solution. Professional bleaching is considered highly effective, lightening teeth up to 10 shades in a single hour-long treatment. It is also considered safe when performed by a professional dentist.
Small Centers
In recent years, in-office bleaching centers such as Britesmile and Zoom have opened to offer quick teeth whitening services without needing to go to a dentist's office. These centers usually have a dentist consultant on site, but other staff members handle the actual process. These are considered safe, effective and quick, whitening teeth up to five shades brighter in about an hour.
Home Bleaching Kits
Home bleaching kits include some well-known brands and products such as Crest Night Effects, Crest Whitestrips and Colgate Simply White. These products contain a 10 percent peroxide solution approved by the ADA and are effective at whitening teeth. The best rated of these products is Crest Night Effects, which whitens teeth two to five shades brighter, which makes them sometimes comparable to an office whitening center. Other kits generally change tooth color to around three shades lighter.
Whitening Toothpastes and Gums
Teeth-whitening gums, including Trident White and Aquafresh, also contain hydrogen peroxide, but at much weaker doses. Their effectiveness is limited, since they can only lighten teeth about one shade. Whitening toothpastes work a little differently, merely scrubbing away surface stains instead of using peroxide to actively whiten teeth. These can make teeth look slightly brighter, but do not cause any long-term whitening.
Considerations
While all of these products are considered both safe and effective to some degree, there is a correlation between cost, speed and degree of brightening. The quicker, most effective options, such as a professional dental whitening and whitening centers, are also more expensive. Cheaper options such as at-home kits have less effectiveness and take more time, but are also less expensive. All whitening treatments are temporary and will need to be redone or touched up at a later point to maintain the dazzling white smile.
