You have probably noticed a teeth whitening fad in the last several years. Once reserved for celebrities in the spotlight, teeth whitening is now considered an almost crucial part of regular hygiene. Even people who have reasonably white teeth now feel obligated to achieve a perfectly white, absolutely stain-free smile.

Previously, people needed to visit the dentist in order to get their teeth whitened. Not only are such visits inconvenient, they are also very expensive. Fortunately, a variety of products that can be used at home are now available.

How Teeth Whiteners Work

Teeth are whitened by bleaching them. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are usually used to remove stains. Most teeth whitening systems require repeated treatments; some take only a couple of days, but many take two weeks. All whitening products will provide specific usage directions that should be followed carefully; misuse or overuse could potentially cause enamel or gum damage.

Professional Grade Bleaching Kits

Some companies, including some dentist offices, sell teeth bleaching kits that can be used at home. People who order these kits are given the materials needed to make a mold of their teeth. This mold is then used to create a custom-made bleaching tray. Many of these kits only need to be used for a couple of days.

The main concerns over teeth whitening are based on the fact that the chemicals used to bleach teeth can come into contact with the gums or be swallowed, thus causing irritation and possibly more serious problems. The professional grade bleaching kits do minimize this risk. The kits generally cost between $50 and $100 – more than other at-home products, but less than most dentists charge. The bleaching trays can be reused, too.

Whitening Strips

Several companies make whitening strips. These work in the same way that the aforementioned whitening kits do, but they are not custom made and they are a lot less expensive. They typically need to be used for two weeks. These strips work best for people with straight teeth; if the strips do not fit well, certain areas may not be whitened and the strips may poke and irritate the gums.

Whitening Toothpastes

There are two types of whitening toothpastes: those that will maintain whiteness, and those that will actually remove stains. Most of the whitening tooth pastes on the market are really only suitable for maintaining whiteness; although they might remove a little bit of stain, it will not be very noticeable.

Some whitening toothpastes do actually remove a significant amount of stains. These toothpastes contain a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, and usually guarantee drastically whiter teeth in two weeks. These toothpastes are very easy to use, very inexpensive, and are able to white even the rather hard-to-reach parts of crooked teeth. However, the whitening chemicals do come into contact with the gums, and it is easy to accidentally swallow the toothpaste.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you are worried about the possible risks associated with teeth whitening, or if you are just not sure which option is best for you, consult you dentists.