Whiter teeth can improve your smile and appearance, so it’s no wonder that teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry options. Discoloration of teeth can be caused by the build-up of surface stains acquired from using tobacco products and consuming certain foods or drinks. Teeth whitening methods give everyone a chance to enjoy a bright smile.

Not all treatments are suitable for everyone, so it’s a good idea to check with your dentist before deciding which whitening option to go with. Some procedures use bleach while others do not, and everyone’s tolerance to the treatment is different.

Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy gums and teeth. Most bleaching products are peroxide-based. The peroxide is what bleaches your tooth enamel and makes your teeth whiter. The concentration of the peroxide typically determines the strength of the whitening treatment. The percentages of peroxide currently found in teeth whitening products are 10%, 16%, and 22%.

Not all discolored teeth respond to bleaching treatments. For example, bleaching will NOT work on fillings, crowns, or other restorations. Your dentist can tell you if your teeth and gums are healthy enough to go through a whitening process. If your dentist determines that you are a candidate to have your teeth whitened, you will need to decide which teeth whitening method to go with.

Your teeth-whitening options include teeth whitening toothpaste, over-the-counter whitening strips and gels, whitening rinses, tray-based tooth whiteners, and in-office whitening. These can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to show results. If you want white teeth now, Zoom! Whitening is an In-Office fast option that can turn your teeth 5 to 8 shades whiter in one dental appointment.

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is limited to removing surface stains on your teeth. They contain special abrasives, as well as polishing or chemical agents that promote stain removal. The ingredients are usually just finer versions of the ones used in regular toothpastes, so they are unlikely to cause excessive wear to the teeth. However, because whitening toothpaste does not contain bleach, it can only make your teeth about one shade lighter. Here is a list of recommended whitening toothpaste that is currently being used and recommended by our staff.

Crest 3D White Brilliance + Whitening Two-step Toothpaste 

This is Dr. Roger Pham's current toothpaste and he has been using it for the past 3 years. His patients' always compliment him on his teeth even though he is a black coffee drinker. This is the most recommended product in his arsenal because he does notice the difference, especially when used daily. There is a mild amount of bleaching agent in the step 2 tube that helps enhance the whitening process.

Crest 3d White Whitening Therapy Charcoal Deep Clean Fluoride Toothpaste 

This toothpaste is more for the charcoal users. As our staff has tested this product, it is a little safer than the charcoal powder as it is mixed with regular toothpaste, which reduces the abrasiveness of the charcoal. Taste is actually not too bad and it actually does work well at whitening teeth. 

UGLY BY NATURE Fluoride Free Toothpaste, XTREME Mint 

And here is a little bit of a newer toothpaste that our staff also got to try. This one is a little bit different than the other as it won't really feel like a toothpaste, it doesn't foam as much but does the job in terms of cleaning your teeth. Taste fairly good and is an all vegan natural toothpaste that is Non-GMO verified.

Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips and Gels

Over-the-counter and professional whitening products produce more noticeable results because they contain ingredients that help lighten the color deep within the tooth. Whitening gels are applied directly to the surface of your teeth with a small brush twice a day for 14 days. You will generally see a significant change in color after a few days, and the final results usually last for about four months.

Whitening strips are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel and applied for 30 minutes two times a day, for 14 days. The results occur in the same amount of time as the toothpaste and also last about four months.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips with Light, Teeth Whitening Strips Kit, 10 Treatments, 20 Individual Strips 

The original starter of the whitening movement: The whitening strips by Crest. These have been proven to work since the beginning of their release. The strips are now being enhanced with a light system that helps accelerate the whitening. These have been one of our best seller at Auburn Dental Center. You also have the choice to use the light or not, but the strips themselves will still whiten your teeth.

Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Gel 

Pretty convenient pen that you can keep in your car, purse or pocket for quick touch ups on the go. Works pretty quick for 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. You can see a big difference after one week and the taste is actually fairly decent.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening rinses, like most mouthwashes, freshen breath and help reduce dental plaque and gum disease while also including ingredients like hydrogen peroxide that whiten teeth. They need to be swished around in your mouth for 60 seconds twice a day before you brush your teeth. Rinses are usually less effective than other over-the-counter whitening products because a rinse is only in contact with the teeth for two minutes a day, as opposed to 30 minutes for the strips, and it can take up to 12 weeks to produce results.

Crest ProHealth Advanced Mouthwash With Extra Whitening 

Alcohol free mouthwash so it doesn't sting like the regular Listerine. This mouthwash offers that extra boost of whitening thanks to the extra added Hydrogen Peroxide. Mouthwash is also fluoridated, which helps with keeping the caries causing bacteria at bay. 

Dr. Brite Natural Whitening Vitamin C Mouthwash with Mint and Activated Coconut Charcoal 

And for the individual who are more health conscious, this relatively newer mouthwash is actually making some waves in the community. Its great tasting, all natural and no alcohol. It whitens using activated charcoal and also contains coconut oils, which has a similar effect to oil pulling. It was also formulated by a doctor and a dentist after they both realized that their children were drinking bad chemical from a regular mouthwash.

Tray-Based Whiteners

Tray-based whitening systems work by filling a mouth guard-like appliance with a gel whitening solution that contains a peroxide-bleaching agent and then wearing the tray for a period of time. Depending on the initial level of discoloration it can take a few hours a day to every night for up to four weeks or longer. Tray whitening kits can be purchased over the counter or from your dentist. Ones from the dentist produce faster and more effective results because they contain a stronger peroxide-bleaching agent. Professional trays from your dentist can be custom made and fit your teeth, while over-the-counter trays come in generic sizes. Trays that don’t fit correctly can allow the bleaching agent to come into contact with your gums and cause irritation.

Nite White Excel 3 ACP 22% Teeth Whitening 

Philips Zoom! is one of the biggest whitening product in the dental market and the reason why is because it delivers. This product is a stand alone or can be used after the In-Office Zoom Whitening treatment. It works great for touch ups or simply if its your first time. This is the whitening product we mainly recommend in our office as it is a great addition to any cosmetic work that we do. However, most of our patient who buys this already have a custom tray made for them, this product will not come with trays.

Opalescence Go 15% 

One of the better tray products that we have had the chance to test out. Opalescence is a company that is known to focus specifically on teeth whitening. Their products are used in many dental office across the country and they have a very good success rate. We recommend these to our patients if they want to buy over the counter whitening products.

Opalescence PF Mint 35% Refill Syringes 

These are great for refills once you have completed your first round with the straight hydrogen peroxide. By that time, your teeth should be white enough that you can use the 35% Carbamide Peroxide for touch ups. Carbamide Peroxide cause less sensitivity than hydrogen peroxide and they will also work in the trays from the first kit.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening is the quickest way to brighten your teeth. Professional treatment does cost more than the other options, but the results are usually worth the investment. Professional treatment includes applying the whitening product directly to your teeth, then exposing them to a heat source, a special light, or a laser. Professional whitening by your dentist can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter. You can see dramatic results in just one 30- to 60-minute treatment! Ongoing treatments are usually recommended to maintain satisfying results. Our offices uses Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed because it is a fast, efficient, and a proven system that has improved our patients' teeth color as high as 8 shades brighter (results may vary between patients). This is definitely the quickest way to get your teeth the color you want them, as other method generally takes a few weeks to a few months in order to obtain the desired brightness.

Benefits Of Teeth Whitening

In the past, teeth whitening was considered a luxury only the wealthy could afford. Through recent advances, whitening is now an affordable and common practice that deliver significant benefits. These benefits touch on the professional, personal and social lives of those who go through the teeth whitening procedure. Understanding these important benefits has helped the few who have remained skeptical appreciate the importance of investing in whitening treatments.

Socially, having a great smile is an excellent way of gaining confidence. A confident smile gives you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling social life. The more confident you are about your smile, the more motivated you will be to take good care of it with regular dental checkups and a good oral hygiene routine.

Today, teeth whitening procedures are much more affordable and often considered a great investment. For your health and safety, be sure that any procedure performed by someone else onto you is guided by a qualified and experienced dental professional. Your dentist can advise you on the latest and most effective whitening methods for the best possible results.