We are now living in an age of digital phenomenon where everyone can see each other weather that be from Australia to America to even Antarctica. This in some way has made us more self conscious of our image and what is more inviting to a person than a beautiful genuine smile.
Now imagine smiling at someone and in return you get a smile back but it’s all covered in yellow stains or worse, black spot stains. If this is you and are thinking of getting some sort of treatment then you have landed on the right page because in this article we will explain the main treatments, Professional or Self made that are available on the market and which ones actually work.
No matter what treatment option you go for, in the end you will get what you desired and that is sexier whiter teeth. It is something that boosts ones confidence 10 fold and will help you with everything, so continue reading on to discover some of the powerful teeth whitening solutions!
What Causes Discolouration Of The Teeth And Can They Be Reversed?
There are two types of discolouration events that take place in your lifetime, and most of the time they happen simultaneously.
- Extrinsic:
This happens when the outer layer of the teeth known as enamel becomes stained due to consumption of certain consumables which include:
- Food and drink – Drinks such as tea, coffee, wine and certain fruit and vegetables can destroy the whiteness of the teeth. Take for example berries which are high in antioxidants and have numerous health benefits but at the same time have the potential to stain teeth. The deep blue hue in raspberries, cranberries, blueberries and blackberries causes the stains so after you have consumed these fruits, please swish your mouth with water to remove any residue left over from the berries.
- Smoking and chewing tobacco – Teeth have pores just like the skin so any nicotine and tar can easily get into these small pockets, causing yellow or brown stains. Even electronic cigerrates won’t make a difference because nicotine is colourless on it’s own but when exposed to oxygen it turns yellow.
- Intrinsic
This occurs when the internal structure of the teeth, the dentin darkens and develops a yellow hue. This is caused by a number of things:
- Exposure to Excessive Fluoride – Dental fluorosis is a mineralization defect that can affect dentin negatively, eventually causing the discolouration of teeth.
- Trauma – This could be from an accident such as a fall that chipped or broke a tooth. this would have caused damage to the nerves and inner structures
- Rare Disorders – You were born with dentinogenesis imperfecta. This causes purple, amber or grey discolouration.
- Antibiotics – Tetracycline is one such medication which can affect the internal structure of the teeth.
There’s not alot that you can do if your condition is intrinsic yes, you can do the basics right such as brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning to stop teeth from worsening but they won’t be as white if lets say you had Extrinsic issues mentioned above. they can be treated using various different techniques.
The Teeth Whitening Solutions That Will Work For You…. Most 
Probably:
There are many tried and tested methods available for you to use which include:
- Strips
- Gels
- Toothpaste
- Lasers
- Bleach
- Trays
and we will cover each one in more detail so stay tuned for some info bombs that we are about to release.
The best teeth whitening solution for you is dependant on how much you are able to spend on whitening and how fast you want the results.
Professional Teeth Whitening At The Dentist
If you are a baller then your best bet is to visit a highly rated dentist in your area and get expert advice on what will work best for you. Firstly their treatment methods will be highly effective but also carried out in a safe manner, giving you peace of mind.
Here are the following treatments available at the dentists:
Number 1 ~ Laser Teeth Whitening
This method utilises powerful lasers to mimic the strong bleaching effect of concentrated gel applied to teeth. It is the most costly treatment out there with prices ranging from $300 – $1900, but will give you the closest to an instant white smile,
The procedure is carried out by first applying a rubber seal to protect your gums and then the dentist will carry on with covering your teeth with a bleaching product for example: hydrogen peroxide. They then take a pen style laser and point it at the teeth covered by hydrogen peroxide and this will cause some foaming of the compound as stains are removed from your teeth.
You should notice a massive difference after the treatment but the dentist may suggest further sessions to achieve your full potential.
The only side effect of this treatment is the increased sensitivity that might take place, making it difficult to drink or eat certain foods temporarily.
Number 2 ~ Professional Bleaching
This method of whitening is the cheaper option offered by dentist where they basically use custom trays to apply top of the range whitening gel. This gel is much stronger and more comfortable than cheap alternatives available in shops.
The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and turn it into a tray that fits securely and snugly into your mouth. They will then explain how to use the tray for maximum effect and for how long to keep it in the mouth. Depending on the specific individual requirements, trays can be left in for 30-60 minutes or upto 7-9 hours.
Number 3 ~ Zoom Whitening
This procedure uses LED technology to accelerate the whitening agent. these procedures are not as intense as the other laser treatment mentioned above so 4-5 sessions will need to be administered to see the results that you desire.
The good thing about this treatment is there won’t be as much sensitivity as with laser whitening and the procedure lasts 30 – 50 minutes. The dentist may give you some extra teeth whitening agents to use at home just to prolong the results.
This procedure is cheaper than laser whitening with prices ranging from $200 – $1100.
But What If I Can’t Afford These Powerful Treatments…. Any Cheaper Options?
If you are like the many other hundreds of thousands of people out there who don’t have the money to splurge on high end treatments, don’t worry as there are other more affordable Teeth whitening kits available to you:
Number 1 ~ Bleaching Trays With Gels
These can be brought over the counter or online depending on the retailer but basically, you get trays that you will insert into your mouth to get indentations of your teeth. You then apply the bleaching agent to each little indentation of each teeth and place the trays back into your mouth and leave it for 30 minutes or so depending on the kit you brought.
The prices range greatly with this procedure and that is because there are numerous companies out there providing this product. Your looking at anywhere from $10 – $200.
Number 2 ~ Blue Light Whitening Kits
This treatment works exactly the same as the one above but the only difference is the blue LED light that comes with the bleaching kits. The light activates the bleaching agent which accelerates the whitening process.
There are many versions available that can be utilised. For example some kits come with trays that you need to submerge into boiling water for a period of time before moulding them into your mouth. Others come already prepared so no extra preparation steps are required.
Prices for this range from $20 – $300, there’s a wide variation so do some research for the best companies out there.
We should point out that with bleaching kits, although results can be seen in the first session,you need atleast a couple of weeks of consistent use to fully get the white smile you always wanted.
We recommend you check out the review on Supersmile whitening system. It could be what you are looking for.
Number 3 ~ Teeth Whitening Strips
Strips can be found over the counter or online and are very simple to use compared to other procedures. The strips are placed directly onto the teeth so are much cleaner and simpler to use than trays and gels.
They contain Hydrogen peroxide within them which is the active ingredient and so you need to look for ones that have a higher concentration level. The strips need to be left on for 30 minutes but there are some that dissolve naturally after 15 – 20 minutes.
With this method you will only be whitening the front of your teeth as the strips won’t reach the back areas, so you might notice inconsistencies with some teeth.
These strips are a great option for short term whiteness, perfect for any major event coming up that you need to look good for.
Prices start from $5 – $40
Number 4 ~Teeth Whitening Pens
Teeth whitening pens are the most simplest form of whitening available on the market. Their more like a toothbrush than anything else.
They consist of a tube of gel which is applied directly onto your teeth for around 15 – 40 minutes. this needs to be repeated 3-4 times per day for 7 days to have any noticeable effect on your teeth.
The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, although some brands do have peroxide free treatments available but we’re not sure if they will have the same effect. Look around and see what other people have to say.
This is the cheapest option with prices ranging from $5 – $25.
Will My Teeth Be Damaged By Using Any Of These Whitening Products?
When it comes to the more high tech procedures such as laser whitening, the risks are quite low especially if you go to a professional dentist. If however you decide to go to random salons and beauty shops and get teeth whitening done there you will ruin your teeth because the people carrying out the procedures here wont be qualified dental professionals.
Home whitening kits also come with their risks but if you do proper research and read other peoples reviews than the risk can be mitigated. Also remember: higher prices does not necessarily mean the product is better!.
The only noticeable side effect of teeth whitening is the sensitivity that people have reported. If this is concerning you then we suggest you talk to your dentist first as he/she will be able to give you some pain relief medication after the whitening process.
With the home treatments we suggest you apply the gels or strips for 5 minutes first to see if there is any noticeable pain or sensitivity, if not then you can start working your way upto the manufacturers recommended times.
How Do I Maintain My White Smile After Treatment
While all of the treatments mentioned whiten teeth, in most cases the results won’t be permanent but you can do some things to preserves the whiteness for a longer period of time.
First of all cut down on food and drink that cause staining, this includes:
- Tea
- Coffee
- wine
- Certain fruit and vegetables (limit these, do not eliminate as they provide immense nutrients)
Make sure to use straws where possible so any acidic drinks or even tea and coffee are minimised on the amount of time they spend on the teeth. Afterwards swish your mouth with water.
Another important thing is maintaining a good thorough oral hygiene routine which includes regular daily brushing and flossing as well as visiting your dentist every 6 months for regular cleaning.
If you do this then your teeth will be whiter for much longer.
Final Thoughts
If you have the money then your best bet is going for the higher end professional treatment from qualified dentists.
If you are strapped for cash then try some of the home treatment kits as they do a pretty good job of whitening.
Be mindful of the fact that teeth sensitivity will be inevitable but to what extant is dependant on each individual. For some it will be a minor issue but for others, pain killers will need to be administered.
If you want you can try out natural Home remedies for teeth whitening and see how that goes, although i guarantee you wont see the same results as if you went for the bleaching kits and professional whitening systems mentioned above.
That’s it for today, but if you have any further questions on this particular subject please feel free to leave a comment below.
If you are more of a visual learner then we also have a youtube channel which discusses everything relating to oral health.
