Lots of different home teeth whitening kits are available today. You might be interested to know that the whiteners in toothpaste are more like cleansers or abrasives than anything else. They may be able to scrub away some of the stains, but they will not have a bleaching effect.
Teeth bleaching agents include high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Of the two, hydrogen peroxide is most effective. A 5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide has bleaching activity equivalent to a 15% carbamide peroxide concentration. Both of these agents can be irritating to teeth and gums. If you already have a problem with sensitivity, you can visit your dentist for a lower concentration take-home kit.
At lower concentrations, the bleaching agents need to be left on longer, but some dentists feel that they are actually more effective that way. The kit that a dentist would provide contains a custom-fit mouthpiece and an easy to use teeth whitening gel. In some packages, the gel comes in pre-measured containers. So, you don’t have to worry about using too much or too little.
You can purchase “one size fits all” home teeth whitening kits over the internet or at the drugstore. They may not work as well as a custom-fit design, but they cost a lot less. Disposables can be purchased for less than $20. Reusable rubber mouthpieces can be purchased for about the same price, but you’ll also need to buy the gel. The cost of carbamide peroxide gels is around $10 per syringe.
At a 35% carbamide concentration, the mouthpiece can be left in place for as little as thirty minutes or as long as two hours. The custom made mouthpieces can be left in place overnight, if the hydrogen peroxide concentration is low enough.
Other at home teeth whitening options include whitening strips and paint-on bleaches. The strips are less irritating and are effective for people that have very light staining. The paint-on bleaches don’t come highly recommended by anyone. They are not that effective and can cost as much as a dentist supplied gel. If you do decide to try the paint-on type, buy the least expensive brand. The ones that cost more are not any more effective.
Whatever option you choose, it is important to remember that fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers will not bleach. If you have any of those, you can end up with a tooth that is darker than the others. In some cases, veneers must be replaced after at home or professional whitening, just to get them to match up again.
