A Guide to Teeth Whitening

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A Guide to Teeth Whitening

• Visit us at www.DentistsInDenver.com
• -V. Landon Blatter, DMD-

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Over the past decade teeth whitening has
become one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry
procedures.
As its popularity has grown, an entirely new
market has evolved offering products and
procedures that promise consumers
whiter, brighter, and more attractive smiles.
It has become increasingly difficult for many to
know which of the teeth whitening methods and
products available are the most effective.
Currently there are three common methods of teeth
whitening - each with its particular pros and
cons.
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Over-the-Counter Products
These products can vary greatly in both price and
effectiveness and range from whitening
toothpastes to very low strength bleaching agents.
While these products can be significantly less
expensive than professional teeth whitening
methods, they also tend to be the least effective.
While these products can be significantly less
expensive than professional teeth whitening
methods, they also tend to be the least effective.
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Over-the-Counter Products
The most powerful of the over the counter
bleaching agents only consist of a 3 hydrogen
peroxide concentration as opposed to the 15 to
40 hydrogen peroxide concentrations used by
dentists.
Most over the counter teeth whitening products
also take weeks or months to generate noticeable
results.
Inexperienced users and those that do not
following the product directions may actually
harm the teeth and gums.
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Custom Made Whitening Kit
Most dentists now offer custom made whitening
kits that patients can use to whiten their teeth
at home. These kits include a custom bleaching
trays made to fit the patients mouth and a gel
bleaching agent.
Unlike the one size fits all bleaching trays
found in over the counter whitening products,
custom trays are adapted to each patient to
provide a better fit.
These trays allow the bleaching agents to stay in
better contact with the teeth, which produces
more even whitening and less irritation to the
gums.
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Custom Made Whitening Kit
The bleaching agents included in the custom made
teeth whitening kits are much stronger than over
the counter products, consisting of a 3 to 16
hydrogen peroxide concentration.
Custom made whitening kits must be crafted by
your dentist and can take a several days or more
to make.
Because the bleaching agents are more powerful
than over the counter products, their use should
be monitored by a dentist in order to prevent
issues. As with over the counter whitening
products, over use can cause sensitivity in teeth
and gums if used improperly or too often.
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Professional Teeth Whitening
The fastest and most effective way to whiten your
teeth is to have them professionally whitened by
your dentist. Although more expensive than custom
whitening trays or over the counter products,
professional teeth whitening provides the most
dramatic whitening possible and can usually be
done in one office visit.
While the process is similar to the other two
methods of teeth whitening, dentists use a
professional dental-grade hydrogen peroxide
whitening gel consisting of a 25-40 hydrogen
peroxide concentration providing faster and more
effective whitening.
Some dentists also use special high powered
lights to help accelerate the process, allowing
the entire process to be done in an hour or less.
It is also the safest method of whitening your
teeth.