Nothing compliments your brand new sundress and perfect pedicure better than a bright smile. Unfortunately everything from coffee and cigarettes to food can stain your teeth, leaving your pearly whites worse for the wear.With a bit of research to decide what will work best for you, there are a lot of options available to get smile looking better than ever.One option is in-office bleaching, like Zoom Whitening or Laser White, which provides very uniform results. It can take time to break through the years of staining to your teeth, but every person will have a different experience. You may only need one 30-minute visit, but you could also require up to three 1-hour visits to get the best results depending on the state of your teeth.This procedure involves the dentist applying either a rubber shield or protective gel to your gums to protect the tissue. The dentist will then use a bleaching agent and possibly special light to enhance the bleaching agent, which are American Dental Association (ADA) acceptable products and procedures. The dentist may also choose to use a laser to enhance the agent, but these lasers are not on the list of ADA accepted products. In order to keep your smile looking white, you’ll need to follow proper at home care. This might include customized bleach trays, whitening toothpaste, and/or cutting back on staining agents, like that second cup of coffee in the morning.
Price: $300 - $1,200Length of Procedure: VariableLength of Results: Years if home care is followed
Not all of us can afford the cost of in-office treatments, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of luck. There are over-the-counter methods that may not work quite as well but are still effective. Depending on your damage, some of these over-the-counter treatments might be all you need.
Colgate Simply White is a brush-on whitening treatment. All you have to do is brush the product onto your teeth either before you go to bed for overnight treatment or when you have some time to spare for a simple fix. The downside to using this brush-on whiteners is that the whitener needs to be able to dry or it’s ineffective. Since it’s hard to keep all saliva away from your teeth, this might not be the best option. But it’s a great way to help get in between tight areas or overlapping teeth!
Price: $8-$30Length of Procedure: 14-28 daysLength of Results: Up to 6 months
Whitening strips, such as Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare, are designed to conform and fit to the shape of your mouth and teeth. To remove the stains, they are coated with a gel containing peroxide. The gel quickly begins working at the surface and progresses below the enamel allowing for a more “permanent” look.
Price: $39.99Length of Procedure: 5 minutes a dayLength of Results: Lifelong if maintained
Other alternative include teeth-whitening trays. These are available over-the-counter or custom made by a dentist. Simply place the whitening gel into the tray; then, put the tray into your mouth. While trays a quick procedure, if you don’t have custom trays, it may be slightly uncomfortable. The Rembrandt Professional Treatment Kit contains a “Comfy Tray”, which is designed to feel like a custom-fit tray.
Price: $29.99 (Non-Custom), $325 and up (Custom)Length of Procedure: 30-60 minutes, daily for 2 weeksLength of Results: 30 days, follow up as needed
The last, and most common, choice are teeth-whitening toothpastes. Products like Crest Vivid White do not technically whiten your teeth. The whitening effect is temporary, and toothpaste can not repair the yellow enamel at the bottom enamel level. The toothpaste will only remove first layer stains, giving you the appearance of a smile. Crest recommends using their toothpaste twice a day for two minutes at a time over a two week time period. They promise results after two weeks and recommend the continued use of their product for long term results.
Price: $5.99-$12.99Length of Procedure: Twice a day, dailyLength of Results: Lifelong if maintained
With all whitening treatments, tooth sensitivity is an issue. If you experience sensitivity, try using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Try to take a day off in between treatments if the pain persists. As always, consult your dentist if you experience any prolonged discomfort.
Remember that the best and cheapest way to ensure healthy, white teeth is visiting your dentist every six months and continuing your daily maintenance — brush three times a day, use floss and use mouthwash. Not only will this ensure healthy teeth and gums, but it will help keep your teeth nice and white.
I just can’t believe the results I had with ultra smile! My teeth are literally several shades whiter and I now look like a movie star.