Teeth Whitening Products
For the last 10 years the products that claim to help whiten ones teeth have exploded. By bleaching the teeth you actually have to change its natural color. This is done using peroxide. It helps remove deep stains within the teeth as well as the surface. On the other hand you have non-bleaching products that only whiten the surface of the teeth.
There are basically two ways to have your teeth whitened. You can get it done at the dentist office or by purchasing an over-the-counter (OTC) product. The products that are professionally applied at the dental office usually has a concentration of 25% – 40% hydrogen peroxide and is sometimes used in conjunction with light or laser which helps speed up the whitening process. The process is completed in about an hour. Products used at the dental office usually don’t have the ADA Seal of Acceptance that we see in many of the dental products that are sold OTC.
Products that are purchased at the dentist office or OTC for home-use are eligible for the ADA seal. The ones with the seal contain approximately 10% carbamide peroxide. These products are available in many forms such as gels in trays, paint-on materials, bleaching strips, and toothpastes. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for the treatment to show any results and it usually does not have the same results as the professionally done whitening treatment performed at the dentist office.
The American Dental Association recommends that you should consult with your dentist before using any type of bleaching product. It is important to keep in mind that the colors of crowns, veneers, and fillings don’t change with bleaching. The most common side effect to these treatments is tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of the gums. These side effects usually are temporary and usually stop after treatment is done. However there are rare instances where these side effects are permanent. If you have had bleaching treatment and still feel the side effects after a period of time has passed please see your dentist immediately.
