There are many whitening formulas and products available on the market, from toothpastes, gels, strips and trays, and other agents which you can easily get at your dentist.


The whitening system is advisable for those who have had no reparations done on their teeth and gums, eg fillings, etc. Those who have a yellowish tint on their teeth will see better results but this system is not appropriate for just anybody.

Let’s see if you fit the band.

Whitening Systems:

Whitening Toothpastes

Toothpastes contain a mild abrasive that help cleaning the surface of a tooth. This simple action can be further reinforced by the presence of some additional polishing substances or some chemically active ones. These toothpastes can only act on the surface level but they do not contain bleach for prolonged or in-depth action as opposed to professional whitening solutions which have the hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching substance enabling a deeper action in the tooth.

You teeth can get whiter to one level with whitening toothpastes, but whitening your teeth at the dentist can get you a three to eight level difference from your actual teeth color.


Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips and Gels
Whitening gels use the peroxide substance to act on the tooth surface. Since they act by direct exposure on the teeth, you can use a brush to perform this procedure. Normally such system are advisable for a bi-daily use over a 14 day period. Visible results appear within a few days and can be sustained for as long as 4 months. Such product is available at the approximate price of $15.

Strips are almost invisible due to their thinness, but have a light coating of peroxide gel on them. If applied for 30 minutes twice a day on a 14 day period they give visible results in a few days. Their results can be prolonged for approximately 4 months. These are available for a price ranging between $10 - $55.


Tray-Based Tooth Whitening Products
These products are easily available in any outlets or through your dentist. The trays are filled with the whitening solutions and placed in the mouth to make contact with the teeth, using as whitening agent: the peroxide element.. The tray should be worn for a definite time lapse, say around 1 hour everyday for a period of around 4 weeks or more depending on the required result and the amount of stain to be removed.

Your dentist can give you valuable information on the differences of whitening systems available in shops as compared to those professionally designed systems available at dentists.


In-Office Whitening

The quickest way to white teeth is the In-Office Whitening package. A very effective method of bleaching where, the whitening agent is in direct contact with the teeth. Combined effect of heat, special light or laser will enhance the results through accelerated process. Visible results appear within hour or even minutes. For such spectacular results, several sessions are required, but with laser enhanced technology the first treatment gives a satisfactory result.

Such program may cost around $200 - $ 500 par arch or reach the $1000 for the entire mouth.

How Long Do the Whitening Effects Last?

Definitely this is not a lifetime result producing system. If you persist with harmful products like tobacco or wine you may see the result disappear within 1 month, but by avoiding these harmful elements, you can sustain the whiteness for one year or above before needing another whitening process.

Whiteness level is also determined differently depending on a case-to-case basis as each people’s teeth is not affected by the same level or source of stain. The method to be used also takes into account the required amount of time the person desires the effect to last.

Over-the-Counter At-Home Teeth Whitening Vs. Dentist-Supervised Teeth Whitening Products

A number of differences exist between the two of them, namely:

• The bleaching agent’s strength. Normally a lighter level of bleaching agent is contained in products available over-the-counter and it may situate around 10% of carbamide peroxide, or an equivalent of 3% hydrogen peroxide or at times reach the 22% of carbamide peroxide. On the other side, professional whitening product may contain up to 43% of carbamide peroxide to be applied under the strict eye of the dentist.

• Mouthpiece trays. The dentist can provide a very precise impression of your teeth and produce a customized tray which will exactly fit your mouth. With this kind of assurance, whitening gel can have direct contact with the teeth through the professionally made mouthpiece. The commonly available mouthpieces in shops are manufactured to fit standard sizes and are not specifically designed for your mouth implying that they will not exactly fit your mouth. This causes imprecise application of the gel which in turn can irritate the gums as the gel slips out of its normal path. In-Office procedures allow the gel to make contact directly and solely with the teeth.

• Additional protective measures. In this method the dentist protects the gum with another gel or uses a shield, sliding it over the teeth as protection against bleaching agents. This kind of security is not available in standard bleaching packages available over-the-counter.

• Costs. Over-the-counter products are obviously cheaper with price range around $20 to $150. Under your dentist supervision, you may get a treatment for a price range of $150 - $300 per arch or $300-$600 for the entire mouth.

• Supervised vs. unsupervised process. Getting a dentist’s supervision provides another level of safety in the process. The Dentist is a professionally competent person who can diagnose your mouth completely coming up with a precise indication as regards your exact requirements. The causes of stains and its appropriate treatment will be determined in a more professional manner. You will also obtain professional indication on the frequency and level of treatment required for restoration. He also provides a better follow-up of the whole mechanism and with a couple of sessions he may ascertain whether the treatment is going in the right direction or take corrective actions in case of side-effects or other mishaps. You will not accede to such facilities if you are using over-the-counter systems and you will be left on you own to proceed.

Who Should Not Undergo Teeth Whitening?

It is not advisable to undertake whitening procedures under these circumstances

• Age and pregnancy issues. Here whitening is not available for those under 16 years of age as the nerve of the teeth is large at this stage of life. It could render the nerve more sensitive or cause irritation. Pregnant or lactating women are also not advised to use this method.

• Sensitive teeth and allergies. Those having sensitive teeth or gums, with receding or defective repairs need to see their dentist before engaging a whitening process. Allergies to peroxide will definitely not be favored with a bleaching product

• Gum disease, damaged teeth, cavities, and exposed roots. People with damaged teeth or worn enamel are not advised to use any bleaching method. A bleaching agent might enter any cavity and cause an inside damage. Hence it is necessary to treat such defects before launching into a whitening session. Bleaching does not work on roots also since they do not have the enamel layer on which bleaching acts. .


• Fillings, crowns and restored portions. Dental restorations sometimes make use of colored fillings or resign based products (crowns, veneers, bridges) and these do not whiten with bleaching. So an unequal whitening pattern may appear if bleaching is applied under these conditions. It is better to proceed with whitening before attempting any restoration exercise on the teeth. Your dentist is the best person to advise on the method of treatment applicable in such cases, and confirming whether any importance is to be given to the bleaching or restoration exercise..

• Those expecting dramatic happenings may be disappointed with results below their expectations. People using harmful products like tobacco and wine need to be aware that the result may not stay for longer periods if they do not avoid such products. A more balanced expectation taking into consideration one’s own lifestyle and hygiene pattern would give a more objective approach to the results’ appreciation. A good standard indication is comparison of color of your teeth should be a little whiter than that of your eyes.

• Heavily stained teeth. A light yellowish tint will definitely disappear under bleaching; less effective results would appear on brown tinted ones where as grayish or purple stained ones may not reveal any effect. Certain blue-gray stains which, are normally caused by tetracycline take even more time to whiten and require around 6 month of intensive care at the dentist’s. Darker stains may be appropriately treated by other methods, for example: veneers, crowns, bonding, etc. Your dentist can give you precious advice on this.


Risks Associated With Teeth Whitening
Two undesired effects noted are a higher sensitivity in the teeth or some kind of irritation of the gums or other tissues of the mouth. Sensitivity is noticed at the beginning of bleaching process whereas irritation of soft tissues mainly come from wrong fitting of trays rather that from the bleaching agent itself. These effects disappear a couple of days after the treatment ends.

You can reduce an sensitivity using the following methods:

• Do not use the tray for long periods. Shorten the use period if you encounter sensitivity problems.

• Stop the whitening process for some days and let your teeth adapt itself with the whitening system.

• See you dentist for a product with high-fluoride content. It will restore the mineral level of your teeth if applied to the tray for around 4 minutes before applying the bleaching agent.

• Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth to brush. They normally contain potassium nitrate, which will relieve your nerve endings.


Product Safety

The ADA seal of acceptance has been issued to some bleaching products available at the dentists’. Same security can sometimes be found on professionally used bleaching products (In-office). Meeting the ADA standards for safety and effectiveness is a remarkable security for users. These are strict seals currently available only in products having a 10% carbamide peroxide destined for home use whereas office-applied products with a 35% hydrogen peroxide content have receive d this seal as compared to over-the-counter products which do not bear this sort of guarantee. ADA believes that teeth whitening treatment should be done under dentist supervision only and therefore they did not give their support to over-the-counter products. Similar opinion has been declared by ADA on laser-based treatment. However, several whitening toothpaste do bear this endorsement.


It is also good to learn that ADA acceptance is not an obligation or even objective for many a manufacturer given the amount of time and effort it requires. Not bearing the ADA’s seal does not imply that the product in unsafe or ineffective but such seal nonetheless provide additional comfort to the user who understands that at least an organization’s standards has been officially met.

Teeth whiteners are not drugs and therefore are not regulated by the FDA.

How to effectively choose an over-the-counter package.

• Get a preference for packages that allow some kind of customization of the mouthpiece – some are moldable at some extent. Standard mouthpiece should be avoided when possible.

• Seek the opinion of people who might have tried the brand you are contemplating.

• Do no hesitate to contact your dentist if you feel any irritation or discomfort in the appearance or feel of your teeth. Increased sensitivity to cold or hot foods should be reported to the dentist and the mouthpiece should be removed on the spot.