In general there are three methods available

• Whitening toothpastes

• Bleaching at-home

• Over-the-counter strips

Over-the-counter whitening gels

Bleaching system based on the tray method (over-the-counter)

Tray system under dentists’ supervision

In office bleaching, also known as chair side or power bleaching

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.

Whitening gels are clear gels based on the peroxide element that can be applied using a small brush on the surface of your teeth. 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.

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.

The peroxide element is available in both kinds of products but still is kept at a lower percentage than those found in products available at your dentist’s. Obviously the results will be less spectacular than what is expected under the care of a dentist, but whitening occurs! With an over-the-counter product you do not get access to expert diagnosis or advice of a professional dentist, however. So there’s no proper followup of the effects, or side-effects if it arises. The main appealing features of this type of whitening products are their cheap price (from around $10 to $55) as compared to a professional care which may take you up to $800.


Tray-Based Tooth Whitening Products
These can be purchased anywhere or at your dentist’s. Their procedures requires the filling of a mouth-guard tray with a gel containing a bleaching agent, normally a peroxide based solution. 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.

Bleaching systems used by professional dentists are slightly different to that which is done at home. They use protective shield to ensure that gels do not slip out of their normal path to access your gums or others soft tissues. With this method, the bleaching agent is only in contact with your teeth, that is, doing solely what it is require to do. The whitening process can further be accelerated or launched through special light, heat or laser use. The question to follow will answer some other differences that exists.