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Tooth Whitening Info
Best at Home Teeth Whitening
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What are the best at home teeth whitening products? The answer depends upon 2 things: The strength of the bleaching gel and the type of trays/device worn that holds the gel against the teeth. These products are further examined here.
There are a variety of different ways to whiten your teeth at home. Home whitening kits can be bought at the store, online, or even direct from a dental lab. With so many different products to choose from, it's hard to know what the best at home teeth whitening products are.
Carbamide peroxide is the most commonly used gel. It is availabe in concentrations between 10%-35%. The stronger the gel, the less time is needed to whiten the teeth. But the stronger the gel, the more likely it is to damage the gums. Caution must be used when using gel with a high concentration of carbamide peroxide. For example, it is advised that 35% carbamide peroxide gel only be used with custom fitted whitening trays in order to minimize contact with the gums. You need to take into thought, though, that a low percentage of gel will take many hours of whitening to acheive maximum results. The lower concentrated gel is ideal for those with sensitive teeth and those using boil'n'bite trays.
There are 3 different kinds of trays/devices that hold the gel against the teeth.
1. Whitening strips can be purchased at the store or online. They are plastic coated strips which contain bleaching gel. They are applied by being pressed over the teeth and being worn for a specific amount of time (usually under 30 minutes). Whitening strips are convenient because they include the gel and the "tray" combined together in the strip. They are easy to use and can be purchased and used the same day. One of the most common problems with whitening strips, though, is that they are "one size fits all". The strips are short and only cover the front 6 teeth. Because of the universal size, many people find that it's hard to fit the strips evenly over the teeth, thus creating uneven whitening and fitting problems. Another problem is that the strips can easily move and slide, thus making it hard to get even whitening.
2. Boil'n'bite whitening trays can be purchased at the store or online. Boil'n'bites are just like they sound- you place a simple plastic tray in water until it is soft and then bite into it to create a semi custom-fitted whitening tray. Boil'n'bites are attractive because they are a cheaper alternative to custom bleaching trays. One of the problems with boil'n'bite trays are that they don't fit tightly which makes it hard to keep the gel positioned against the teeth. Also, the boil'n'bite trays cover a good portion of the gums which makes it easy for gel to get pushed up and trapped inbetween the gums and the tray. If using boil'n'bite trays, use a lower percentage of whitening gel and be sure to remove the trays the gums start to burn.
3. Professional custom-fitted whitening trays, that your dentist uses, can be purchased direct from a whitening lab online. The lab sends you a package with instructions and materials for you to take teeth impressions. These impressions are then mailed back to the lab where the custom trays are made. Custom trays are the best option because they provide even whitening, keep the gel right against the teeth, and keep the gel off of the gums as much as possible. Although they are the best at home teeth whitening option, receiving the trays will take more time because of shipping and fabrication.
A quick note about the whitening lights/lasers: Our experience has been that they provide no visible difference between those who use them and those who don't. The lasers used by dentists are strong and heat up the gel which causes the gel to whiten the teeth quickly. Personal teeth whitening laser lights will not produce enough heat to warm the gel.
