subject: Home Teeth Whitening - Do the Kits Work? [print this page] Home Teeth Whitening - Do the Kits Work? Home Teeth Whitening - Do the Kits Work?
Home teeth whitening is the procedure of using a store-bought kit to lighten the color of your teeth. Teeth are naturally white when they initially develop, but they naturally darken more as you grow older. Many people wish to have that "natural white smile" look and over the past 10 years, numerous home teeth whitening products have been developed to help people whiten their teeth at home.
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Along with naturally darkening over time due to changes in tooth enamel, some people see their teeth yellow because of their diet. Red wine, coffee and cigarette smoking can adversely affect tooth color. Some antibiotics may also affect the coloration of teeth, although it is difficult to reverse antibiotic-related discoloration.
You will find lots of home teeth whitening kits sold over the counter at stores. Most of them work in one of two ways:
Some kitsoffer "whitening strips" which are adhesive strips that fasten to the teeth. These strips contain an oxidizing agent that works to lighten the teeth. These kits have a tendency to be significantly less expensive than those that use trays. They also are somewhat less effective, as the strips don't always cover the teeth entirely. This can lead to "dark spots" because of lack of uniform distribution of the gel on the teeth. Repeated use can correct this problem.
With most kits, a gel is applied to the tooth that contains a hydrogen peroxide solution. This gel is held against the teeth for a few minutes with plastic trays that fit around the teeth. These trays hold the gel against the teeth and also protect the gums and soft tissues from contact with the gel, which can burn the gums. After a few minutes, the trays are removed and the mouth is rinsed. The process is repeated over a period of days or weeks as instructed.
Both kinds of kits product adequate results, although repeated use over a period of several weeks is essential to achieve the desired whiteness. The main advantage of the store-bought kits versus having a dentist whiten your teeth is cost, as it can cost significantly more to have the work done by a dental professional.
You will find also a selection of "do it yourself" solutions offered on the Internet. One popular suggestion calls for brushing your teeth with a mashed strawberry rather than toothpaste. You then rinse the toothbrush and apply baking soda to the brush and brush again, repeating the procedure daily for fourteen days. This is said to produce results, as strawberries include malic acid, which can remove minor stains. Baking soda is fairly abrasive, though, so you should talk about this technique with your dentist prior to you attempting it, as prolonged brushing with baking soda could damage your tooth enamel.
The strip and the tray systems for home teeth whitening produce good results, and either of them can offer a number of shades of improvement on the Vitapan Classic Shade Guide when used as directed for a period of several weeks. Regardless of what kind of kit you buy, you ought to see whiter teeth and a brighter smile in a couple of weeks' time.
