Teeth Whitening Procedure

As people age, the color of their teeth becomes less and less white if there is no intervention such as a teeth whitening procedure. This discoloration of teeth usually results from beverages and foods that are consumed. Tea, coffee, sodas and red wine are all things that can cause your teeth to become discolored.

However, there are many different options that a person can take advantage of to whiten and brighten his or her teeth. While the options are not permanent, by any means, they can be a great solution for those who would like to experience a sparkling smile for up to a couple of years at a time.

How white your teeth can actually become will depend on different factors. Whitening varies from person to person depending on the specific structure of the teeth and the type of whitening procedure that is used. There are two basic categories of whitening procedures: those that are performed in the dental office by a dentist, and those that are performed at home by the user.

Dental Office Procedures

There are different types of procedures that can be used. A person can opt for the whitening to be done in the dentist's office, or he or she can use a kit at home. In the dental office, a dentist can apply a special bleaching gel to the teeth and then use a special light source to activate the gel and whiten the teeth.

Laser whitening can also be done in this manner. Dentists may also advise that the patient wear custom bleaching trays at home after a whitening procedure is done in the office. This will depend on the degree of discoloration to the teeth.

At Home Procedures

One of the least expensive ways to whiten teeth at home is to use a mixture of ingredients to form a homemade paste. This works best on teeth that do not have severe stains. If a person wants a noticeable degree of whiteness, then he or she should probably invest in a kit that can be purchased over the counter or from a dental professional.

The strongest bleaching solutions that are available are usually purchased from a dentist, but it never hurts to see what is available in your local store or on the Internet.

Whether a person chooses to use a dentist for the procedure, or to do it himself, it is always wise to be informed about the process as well as the ingredients such as carbamide peroxide gel, or solution that is being used to whiten the teeth.

When using at home kits, it is important to realize that some kits contain stronger solutions than others. So, if the user happens to have sensitive teeth or gums, they may be aggravated or irritated. One way to avoid the sensitivity is to brush with a specially formulated sensitive toothpaste for a couple of weeks prior to bleaching or whitening.

When choosing to whiten your teeth, the key is to be educated and informed about one's options. Once you know about the different available options for a teeth whitening procedure, you can select the one that is best for you.