Professional teeth whitening provides optimal results in a relatively short time. Performed under the supervision of a dentist, this whitening method has become popular among those who are dissatisfied with over-the-counter (OTC) products or do not want a professional at-home kit. Price is a key differentiator when comparing teeth whitening options. Most OTC kits run on average between $40 and $100
Professional teeth whitening provides optimal results in a relatively short time. Performed under the supervision of a dentist, this whitening method has become popular among those who are dissatisfied with over-the-counter (OTC) products or do not want a professional at-home kit.
Price is a key differentiator when comparing teeth whitening options. Most OTC kits run on average between $40 and $100, while professional at-home models cost between $100 and $400.
In-office teeth whitening procedures cost around $650 or more (usually not covered) and may require multiple visits to get the color you want.
What to expect from professional teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening is not an entirely complicated procedure, but it does require skills to prevent injuries to the gingival (gum) area. It may also require expensive equipment to prepare and complete the procedure. All procedures can take 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
There are several standard steps to performing office whitening.
- Before you begin, your dentist will record the shade of your current teeth.
- The teeth are then polished with a pumice stone. A tough substance used to remove plaque from the surface.
- Isolate your mouth with gauze to keep your teeth dry. You can use a retractor to keep your cheeks, lips, and tongue away from the whitening solution.
- A barrier is placed along the gum line to protect it from exposure to the solution.
- Next, the teeth are coated with a whitening solution only on the front side. Solutions usually contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as bleach.
- Many whitening products require a curing light or laser to activate the peroxide. Once applied, the solution is left on the teeth for 30-60 minutes or occasionally reapplied, depending on the brand.
- When the optimum shade is reached (or after the maximum time has passed), the teeth are rinsed. Fluoride application can be used to relieve tooth sensitivity, a common side effect.
- Additional visits are scheduled until the desired shade is reached.
Once done, it is recommended to avoid foods or drinks with high pigment content for at least 24 hours. These include coffee, tea, tomato sauce, tomato juice, sulfur mustard, beets, black grapes, candy, and red wine. You can avoid smoking or tobacco of any kind.
Professional at-home teeth whitening kit
As an alternative to costly in-office procedures, many are turning to professional home teeth whitening kits. These DIY models can only be obtained from a dentist and require dental impressions to create a custom tray (a tooth cup that fits your teeth).
It takes an average of 1-2 weeks to make a tray. The procedure itself is carried out for an hour a day for two weeks. It’s not that hard to give much better results than most OTC drugstore brands.
It’s not cheap, but an in-home kit may be the perfect choice if you can’t afford professional care or are not fully covered by dental insurance.
Natural methods to help whiten your teeth
Brush with baking soda
Baking soda has natural whitening properties, making it a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste.
It is a mild abrasive that can help remove surface stains on teeth.
In addition, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in the mouth, preventing the growth of bacteria.
This is not a remedy that will whiten your teeth overnight, but you may notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time.
Science has not yet proven that brushing with baking soda will whiten your teeth, but several studies show that baking soda toothpaste has a significant whitening effect.
In one study, toothpaste with baking soda were found to be significantly more effective in removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpaste without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect.
Additionally, a review of five studies found that baking soda toothpaste remove plaque from teeth more effectively than those without baking soda.
To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste that forms. You can do this a few times a week.
Banana peel
Less aggressive and just as effective as baking soda is banana peel. After brushing your teeth, rub the inside of the teeth daily for about two minutes. In a few days you will notice that your teeth are whiter.
Apple vinager
If your teeth are stained, try gargling with apple cider vinegar. You will see how they are eliminated and you also get a more complete hygiene, since apple cider vinegar kills bacteria.
Sage infusion
With the sage leaves, make an infusion and use it as a rinse. Little by little you will get a much whiter teeth. Another option is to directly rub the leaves. This trick has been used in some parts of the East for hundreds of years.
Orange peel
The rind of this fruit is also very useful to remove the hateful stains from the teeth. As with the banana peel, you just have to rub the white part against the teeth to get the desired results.
Basil
If you want to keep halitosis at bay, take care of your gums and whiten tooth enamel, basil is your best ally. Before going to bed chew a leaf of this plant so used in the kitchen and leave it on overnight.
Parsley
To say goodbye to halitosis, boil several sprigs of parsley with two cloves in two cups of water. Stir the mixture and let it cool. Then strain it and use the liquid as a mouthwash several times a day.
Other methods that have not been tested
There are some other natural methods of teeth whitening, but there is no scientific evidence to show that they are safe or effective.
Some of the unproven methods include:
- Activated carbon. Brushing with powdered charcoal supposedly draws toxins out of the mouth and removes stains from the teeth.
- Kaolin clay. Those who defend this method claim that brushing with clay helps to remove stains on the teeth.
- Fruit peels. Some say that rubbing orange, lemon or banana peels on the teeth makes them whiter.
- Apple vinager. There is no evidence that using apple cider vinegar can help whiten your teeth. In fact, apple cider vinegar weakens tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.
Those who promote these methods claim that they make teeth significantly whiter, but no studies have evaluated their effectiveness. This also means that the side effects of using them on teeth have not been tested.
Summary: Activated charcoal, kaolin clay, and fruit peels can help whiten teeth, but no studies have evaluated the safety or effectiveness of these methods.