Which Teeth Whitening Option Is Best for You?

One of the easiest ways to improve your personal appearance is to make your teeth whiter. White teeth not only look healthier and more attractive than do teeth that are yellow or otherwise discolored, but having white teeth will encourage you to smile more, making you more pleasant to be around.

There has been an explosion of teeth whitening products in recent years, almost all of which are heavily marketed, promising amazing results in very little time with even less effort.

While most of these products do work to some degree, there are some significant differences between them that are worth knowing. Educating yourself on teeth whitening products will help you pick the one that is best for you.

Also, cosmetic dentists and even family dentists can help you decide on the best whitening solution based on your budget, time constraints, and the current condition of your teeth.

Here are the different teeth whitening solutions available to you.

Whitening toothpaste. This is the easiest solution, because it doesn't require any effort beyond the regular twice-daily brushing that you (hopefully) already do. Brushing your teeth with any kind of toothpaste whitens your teeth to some degree, as its abrasive properties help remove surface stains. Whitening toothpaste take it a step further by including additional ingredients, most notably hydrogen peroxide, which have known whitening properties.

The downside to using this method exclusively to whiten your teeth is that it is less effective and takes longer than other methods, as the whitening agents are in contact with your teeth for such a short duration.

Whitening rinses. This product is generally used the same way as regular mouthwash, meaning you swish and gargle it for 30 to 60 seconds immediately after brushing. Like whitening toothpastes, its active ingredient is usually hydrogen peroxide. The advantages of using a whitening rinse are as follows: One, it takes very little time and effort.

Two, it is very inexpensive. And three, its liquid form enables it to reach a lot of areas that your toothbrush and toothpaste cannot. Whitening rinses suffer from the same drawback as whitening toothpaste -- namely, that it only remains in your mouth and thus in contact with your teeth for a couple minutes per day.

At-home whitening strips and trays. These are purchased at the supermarket and applied to your teeth daily for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or longer. The treatment period usually lasts between 7 and 14 days.

Whitening strips and trays work by coating your teeth with a gel-based peroxide solution. They are quite a bit more expensive than toothpastes or rinses, and they require much more of a daily time commitment.

In-office whitening sessions. This procedure is done in the office of cosmetic dentists or family dentists and usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

It involves applying a much more concentrated solution to your teeth than you can buy over the counter, and many dentists amplify its effects by using light and/or heat. While having your teeth whitened in-office usually costs more than any over-the-counter solution, it is -- without question -- the most effective method.

Want a whiter teeth? Give Shumway Dental Care and call and make an appointment to see one of their Chandler AZ dentists. Dr. Andy Shumway and his son Dr. Joel Shumway are experienced in all types of cosmetic dentistry, and can tell you the best route to take to get your teeth up to par. Visit the site at http://www.mychandlerdentists.com.