A problem that most of us will face as we get older is that our teeth will become stained and discolored. This is a problem we no longer have to live with, however, since there are now a whole range of teeth whitening products, methods and treatments available suitable for every budget.
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.
The quality of the results you get from a teeth whitening product or treatment is largely dependent upon how severely discolored your teeth are. Low cost treatment options just won’t cut it in the more severe cases. In those cases you will probably have to investigate more expensive, professional procedures.
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.
Treatment by your dentist using whitening or bleaching trays, while more expensive, will whiten beneath the surface of your teeth and therefore give more satisfactory results. The procedure employs a custom fitted tray that contains a peroxide based whitening agent and that is placed over your teeth. The whitening compound decomposes to release oxygen that works to whiten your teeth fairly effectively.
Tray bleaching gives the best results with teeth that have yellowed with age. It doesn’t work as well with teeth that have become brown or gray. One potential side effect with tray bleaching is that it might cause some temporary teeth and gum sensitivity.
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.
Always speak to your dentist before deciding on a teeth whitening procedure. Find out all of your options and how likely each one is to be successful in your case. The best decision is an informed one, so get all the facts ahead of time.
