Is there anything we can do about the fact that are teeth are going to get yellow and stained as we age? The answer is a definite yes, as there has never been more products and treatments available to whiten teeth and brighten smiles than there are today.

For ease of use and convenience, the best teeth whitening products may be as near as a trip to you local supermarket or pharmacy. These low cost ways to whiten teeth that are not too severely discolored include toothpastes, gels, and strips. They are somewhat limited in their effectiveness, though, where there is severe staining and yellowing.

While many factors determine the effectiveness and ultimate results of any teeth whitening procedure, the most important one, obviously, is the severity of the staining and discoloration to begin with. As in all things, you get what you pay for, and the more expensive treatments generally yield the better results.

The inexpensive home whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes, are the most limited when it comes to results. While there is some degree of whitening produced, it tends to treat only the discoloration on the surface of the teeth and is not able to penetrate more deeply than that.

One popular professional whitening procedure is tray whitening. This method employs a tray that has been fitted to the size and the shape of your mouth. It is filled with a whitening gel and placed on your teeth, where the peroxide in the whitener releases oxygen. The oxygen not only provides cleaning to the surface of your teeth, but it penetrates the enamel as well, whitening beneath the surface. This has proven to be an effective teeth whitening procedure.

The tray whitening method is most effective on teeth that have become yellow, and less so in the cases of teeth that are gray or brown. Additionally, it has been known to occasionally cause some temporary sensitivity to the teeth and gums.

The cost of teeth whitening can range from a couple of bucks, in the case of teeth whitening toothpaste, to several hundreds of dollars for professional whitening treatments, and even up to a thousand dollars for some laser whitening procedures. The least expensive treatments are not always the best choice, since the more expensive options generally produce the best results as well.

Professional whitening performed by an experienced dentist always yields the best results, since he or she will be skilled in the use of the most up to date technology and be able to use prescription strength whiteners. Be warned, however, that teeth whitening is considered to be a cosmetic, elective procedure and is therefore most likely not going to be covered by your medical insurance.

Before making a final decision about which teeth whitening product or procedure is the right one for you, it is important to talk to your dentist about it. He or she will be able to discuss with you all of your options and the likely results of each one. Then you will be able to make an informed decision.

Tags: Dental

Share This