How to Get White Teeth

To get teeth whitened there are two general options open to you.

The two options are:

(1) getting in chair professional treatments, or
(2) purchasing over the counter teeth whitening products which can be done at home without the aid of a professional.

There are huge differences between the two, one being that of cost. Professional whitening treatments cost much more than at home treatments, but they offer more guaranteed results in a shorter time. The risks associated with professional treatment are certainly less because you are using the knowledge, training and experience of professionals trained in the process. With in home treatments, the possibilities of experiencing problems are higher.

The main teeth whitening treatment involved with in chair procedures is the application of a bleaching agent. First, plaque is removed to ensure that the bleaching process reaches all surfaces and is able to go through the pores. Next, the gums are protected to prevent any contact with the bleaching agent; some also use retractors to move the inner cheeks, tongue and lips away from the teeth. Then, the bleaching agent is applied and activated by a light or laser. The solution will be left in contact with the teeth for an hour or so, depending on the condition of the teeth and the severity of the discoloration.

When the desired results are achieved, the solution is washed and rinsed out and a fluoride solution applied for those that experience any heightened sensitivity in the gums. After treatment it is best for a day or so to avoid food and drink that causes discoloration, You need to allow time for the pores to close so preventing further staining.

Home treatments also involve a scaled down version of the professional process. Teeth whitening products have lower strength bleaching content and need to be applied regularly for anything from two weeks to as much as 2 months. Using gels, with a bleaching agent, individuals need to apply the solution to their teeth and use trays to keep the solution in contact with the teeth for thirty minutes to an hour. Some may even require wearing the tray overnight. Home treatment often needs to be done regularly once or twice a day. Strips are also available and use the same principle.