Do it your self at home to whiten your teeth. Know the risk and benefit, choose the right product. Find the most suitable product for you. Do you know that At-home whitening can be equally as effective as professional
whitening?
There is a widespread consensus that dentist-dispensed whitening trays and
whitening strips, when used as directed, can be even more successful than in-office
bleaching over the long haul. One key reason is their ongoing use, combined
with the fact that small amounts of bleach remain within the tooth structure for
up to 36 hours. When a new dose of bleach is applied to a tooth retaining the
previous day’s peroxide, its effect is more pronounced.
At-Home Whitening Considerations
Over-the-counter whitening products that can be used without a dentist’s
supervision are easily accessible. When incorrectly or over used, these products
can be detrimental to the tooth enamel and irritate the gum tissue.
The over-bleaching that may occur without a dentist’s monitoring, also can
produce an undesirable bluish hue, chalky whiteness or uneven results (otherwise
known as “the technicolor effect”). To ensure the health of your smile, see your
dentist before selecting your over-the-counter tooth whitening product and
beginning the bleaching process.
Also, be sure to keep in mind the following:
- The stronger the peroxide formula, the more rapid its effect; the weaker
the formula, the longer it can safely remain on the teeth. A low-percentage
bleach used overnight every night of the week will achieve approximately the
same results as a high percentage “day-bleach” that is kept on the teeth one
hour per day for seven days.
- The optimal time to begin at-home whitening is soon after a dental
hygienist’s prophylactic cleaning. This procedure removes the surface layer of
plaque and grime that otherwise hinders bleaching efforts.
- Dentists and
oral care companies urge brushing and flossing the teeth just prior to any
form of at-home or on-the-go whitening.
- For best results, food or beverages (excluding water) should not be
consumed for a couple of hours after whitening.
Dentist-Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Trays
According to dental professionals, the best bleaching results are achieved
with dentist-dispensed take-home kits — particularly those that are used over
extended periods. These kits contain higher percentages of bleach than
over-the-counter kits and typically consist of:
- Custom-fitted application trays fabricated from a flexible plastic
material. Custom trays have an approximate cost of $100 and offer several
benefits, including:
- They help ensure that the bleach stays in contact with the teeth for
maximum whitening.
- They help prevent saliva from coming into contact with the bleaching
agent (which can dilute its strength).
- They minimize the amount of bleach that can dribble onto (and
potentially irritate) the gums.
- Bleaching compounds are either pre-loaded into the trays or stored in
syringes and added to the trays just before use. In many cases, your dentist
can fine-tune the bleach concentration and add a desensitizing agent to use
before or after application. Generally, enough gel is provided for one
two-week treatment per year, plus one- or two-day touch-ups every four to six
months.
The following tray-bleaching systems are those most commonly dispensed by
dentists:
Discus Dental Nite White and Day White ACP: These are the
only take-home whiteners that feature amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), a
proven enamel re-builder, and sensitivity-reducing potassium nitrate and fluoride.
Nite White is available in various hydrogen peroxide concentrations to be
used overnight or twice daily. Ask your dentist about which concentration and
application is best for you.
Cost: $200 to $400.
Discus Dental Nite White Turbo: This is the fastest Nite
White system available, containing a mint-flavored, chemically accelerated six
percent hydrogen peroxide formulation. It is intended for overnight use, two to
four hours twice per day, or one to two hours per day if you have a sensitivity
to bleach.
Cost: $200 to $400.
Discus Dental Zoom! Weekender Kit: This fast-acting
whitening system has a six percent hydrogen peroxide gel and a time-release
booster agent that enhances bleach penetration. The Weekender Kit is intended
for overnight use, two to four hours twice per day, or for one to two hours per
day for those with a sensitivity to bleach.
Cost: $200 to 400.
Opalescence by Ultradent: Incorporating a viscous carbamide
peroxide whitening agent known for its staying power over extended periods of
time, the Opalescence gel also contains a patented mix of sensitivity-reducing
potassium nitrate and fluoride. Pre-packaged in syringes, the gel is inserted
into the custom-made trays prior to each use. Four concentrations of carbamide
peroxide are available for use during the day or overnight.
The Opalescence kits are available in mint, melon and flavor-free
formulations. Optimal bleaching effects are likely to appear after 10 days of
directed use.
The average cost of Opalescence whitening ranges from $150 to $200 per tray.
Dental offices make gel refills available at the six-month checkup, as a way of
ensuring that patients return for this visit. These refills are offered free of
charge by some dental offices, but typically cost upwards of $50.
Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme: This is an innovative
one-size-fits-all system, designed for those seeking a quick, convenient and
relatively inexpensive whitener — with no wait for custom-made trays. Many
people opt to use this system while traveling or just before a major business
meeting or social event.
Trèswhite features a two-layer tray system that guarantees automatic
alignment. The delivery trays are pre-loaded with a membrane-like inner tray
coated with a 10 percent hydrogen peroxide whitener containing the same
sensitivity-reducing mix of potassium nitrate and fluoride as is found in
Opalescence systems with custom-made trays.
The wear-time for Trèswhite is 30 to 60 minutes, once a day. Packs of
Trèswhite Supreme (10 uppers and 10 lowers), intended for use over the course of
five to 10 days, are available in mint, peach or melon flavors.
Cost: $75 to $100.
Whitening Strips
Coated with a whitening gel, these thin, flexible membranes are designed to
conform to the shape of the teeth. They are extremely convenient and easy to use
— no mixing or molding is required. What’s more, they are unobtrusive enough to
be worn on the job or while commuting or shopping.
However, whitening strips have been shown to be less effective than trays for
removing between-the-teeth stains, and are not suitable for crooked teeth.
Additionally, saliva can more easily find its way beneath whitening strips,
diluting their potency; some whitening strips aren’t long enough to cover a wide
smile, and they have a tendency to slip and slide.
Crest Whitestrips Supreme, containing 14 percent hydrogen peroxide — the
highest dose currently available in whitening strips — are dispensed at
dentists’ offices. These strips are wide enough to cover up to six teeth.
Approximate cost for a box of 84 strips (three-week supply): $44.98.
Over-the-counter whitening strips cost in the $19.98 to $44.99 range.
