As people age, their teeth may start to look a little less white. This doesn’t have much to do with how well they brush their teeth; it’s more to do with what they eat and drink. Some foods and drinks, such as coffee and soda, as well as smoking, can cause the teeth to become discolored over time. Teeth whitening may be a great solution to this and can be done at home.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening can be done with a number of different products and can be done at home or by a dentist. According to mouthhealthy.org, whitening products will use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down the stains. This helps to make the teeth brighter, though results will vary depending on the strength of the product used, the amount of time whitening has been used, and other factors.
What Options are Available for Teeth Whitening?
Today, those who want whiter teeth can have teeth whitening done by their dentist or purchase products for home use. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are simple to use at home and don’t require the supervision of a dentist to complete. Products used in the dental office are typically stronger and may provide better results, but they typically are far more expensive and require multiple visits to the dental office before final results are seen.
How Well Does Teeth Whitening at Home Work?
Teeth whitening products designed for home use can be used periodically to help keep teeth as white as possible. The degree of whitening, as well as the amount of time the results will last, is going to depend quite a bit on the person and their habits as well as the particular kit they purchase. Some kits include stronger whitening agents, which means they’ll work better but also be harsher on the teeth. Depending on a variety of factors, results can last between one month to one year. Teeth whitening, however, is limited in effectiveness to natural teeth and does not work on implants, crowns, dentures, and other restorations.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Today, most whitening products available over the counter are going to be safe to use. Like most products, there may be side effects when using the products. WebMD warns teeth whitening kits designed to be used at home can cause an increase in tooth sensitivity that’s typically temporary and mild irritation of the gums and other soft tissues. There may be other, more serious, side effects for people who are pregnant, who have sensitive teeth, or who have any dental issues that have not been taken care of yet.
If your teeth are not as white as you’d like them to be, you do have options available, including natural ways to whiten teeth. Today, many people are opting for home teeth whitening kits as this gives them the chance to whiten their teeth for much less and saves them the time they might have spent sitting in the dental office. These kits are typically easy to use as well as safe, so it’s worth the try to find out how effective a kit might be and the difference it might make in your smile.