Ways of Whitening Teeth - Dentaler.com When people age, their hair grows gray and then turns white. It’s the reverse with their teeth – their teeth start off white and then get darker as they age thanks to the dentin leaving their teeth.

Drinking a lot of coffee or other types of beverages can also leave tooth stains. Fortunately, there are ways to regain that shiny smile and they can be found in a local drug store or the dentist’s office.

Here are some of the methods that can be used – the list is based on price, the amount of time it takes to get results and their longevity:

Toothpaste and Mouthwash

When one walks into the toothpaste aisle of a store, they may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of toothpastes and mouthwashes improve the color of one’s teeth. It’s important to get ones that are approved by the ADA. That way, they know it passed inspection.

When using the toothpaste, they just follow their usual toothbrushing routine. The same goes for the mouthwash – just swish it around their mouth for however long the directions say and then spit.

People should not expect anywhere near instant results. That’s because the ingredients are not on their teeth for long – Two and a half minutes each time. It usually requires a few weeks to get noticeable results but people will usually find that their patience is rewarded. These can usually fit into anyone’s budgets.

Whitening Strips

This is another option for those who would prefer to stay at home to whiten their teeth. It’s more effective than the toothpaste/mouthwash combo in terms of getting faster results. It costs a bit more but that’s for the speed.

The way this works is that the strips are affixed to the upper and lower part of the mouth and left in there for 45 minutes. The results tend to be noticeable in a week or so.

People can get sensitive teeth and gums from this. This symptom can go away or it can linger. Also, it’s important to stick to the instructions or the results may not be what they want. The lack of customization can also be a drawback.

Professional Tooth Whitening

People who want to see an immediate difference in the shade of their teeth pick this option. They can either have their dentist give them a series of mouth trays filled with a special gel. This is customizable so that the results are optimal.

Teeth whitening can also be done in-office with a special gel and black light. Both options generally run $500 or so and since they are cosmetic, the patient pays for it out of pocket 99% of the time with very rare exceptions.

What is the central ingredient for all the choices? Hydrogen peroxide. The amount varies, with the  toothpaste and mouthwashes generally having the lowest concentration of it. The professional grades have the highest.

The staff at Dental Emergency Room is quite versed in teeth whitening. Give them a call at 727-449-2424.