If you’re searching for the best way to whiten teeth, a walk down the dental care aisle can be daunting. There is often an overwhelming amount of whitening products in stores and it can be difficult to know which one to choose. After all, no one wants to waste their money on products that don’t work. 

So, how do you choose the most effective teeth whitening product? Is it best to just splurge on a professional treatment? The answer will largely depend on the severity of tooth staining, how quickly you want results, and your budget.

Things to Consider Before Teeth Whitening

Before grabbing a random product off of a store shelf, it is best to take some things into consideration. This will help to avoid cycling through products that aren’t providing the desired results.

Types of Stains

Different types of tooth discoloration will respond differently to certain products or methods of teeth whitening. Staining on the surface, or enamel layer, of the teeth is easier to treat. This is the staining that typically results from smoking or drinking beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine. 

Some stains occur deeper in the structure of the tooth and are much more difficult to treat. This kind of discoloration appears as a yellowing or graying of the teeth and can arise from trauma to a tooth or certain types of medications, like antibiotics, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy.

Cost

Unsurprisingly, cosmetic teeth whitening done by a dentist will be more costly than at-home methods. At-home whitening methods also have a range of prices that can affect how well or how quickly the products work.

Safety

In general, most teeth whitening methods have been deemed safe and effective when the manufacturer’s directions are followed correctly. However, there are some risks. Most whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. At higher concentrations, these chemicals can cause sensitivity in the teeth or gums. This might also occur if left on too long.

There are also some situations in which teeth whitening is not advised. If there is severe tooth erosion, cavities, or decay that exposes nerves, whitening chemicals will cause pain, sensitivity, and damage. For these reasons, it is best to have a regular dental exam before choosing a whitening treatment.

Time

For those that are not in a hurry to have a bright white smile, there are more options. Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes can be effective, but will take several weeks–or even months–to see a difference. Whitening strips can work within a week or so while professional whitening can produce a substantial difference in one or two visits.

The Best Way to Whiten Teeth at Home

Assuming relatively good dental health, there are a variety of at-home products that can effectively treat surface stains. Whitening strips and kits are a good choice for relatively quick whitening. Most kits can lighten teeth by one or two shades in less than a week, but some of the more expensive kits tout a change of 7-8 shades.

Since results can vary between patients, it is difficult to claim that any one product is the “best” way to whiten teeth. However, below are some guidelines for picking out trustworthy products and using them correctly to get the best results.

• Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This will ensure that the product has been evaluated for safety and efficacy by dentists. 
• Check out online reviews and ratings for specific products to see how they have worked for others.
• Follow the instructions closely. Don’t leave whitening strips or trays on longer than instructed. 
• If gums are sore, red, and inflamed after removing the strips, try to align the strips so they don’t touch the gums. If that’s not possible, try using a product with a lower concentration of peroxide or look for kits with custom fitted trays. 
• Stop use of the product if an allergic reaction occurs, or if there is extreme pain or sensitivity. It might be best to contact a dentist in case there is an underlying problem, like a cavity.

Best Professional Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Methods

Ultimately, professional whitening is going to work better than at-home whitening methods. There are a few different methods used for professional cosmetic teeth whitening. Most of these involve the use of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, like at-home products. The difference is that there is a higher concentration of active ingredients and some of these methods use either lasers or ultraviolet light to activate the whitening gel. Consequently, these methods will whiten teeth by 6-12 shades in just one or two visits.

Which professional whitening method is best will depend on the desired results and how deep the stains are on the surface of the teeth. Methods that use lasers and ultraviolet light work very well to lighten teeth and they use precise tools to target stains and avoid hurting the gums. However, when the staining isn’t very deep or dark, simple gel whitening might be preferred. 

For teeth that have discoloration from trauma or medications, typical gel whitening methods likely won’t help. This kind of discoloration requires a different kind of cosmetic teeth whitening procedure that involves covering the tooth. Although these methods are more expensive, a white smile can be achieved through veneers or, in some cases, dental bonding.

A Dentist Knows Best

When trying to determine the best way to whiten teeth, the first thing to do is talk to a dentist. This will prevent wasting time and money on products that don’t work or aren’t strong enough to provide desired results. A dentist can also make sure there is no decay or erosion that might affect the results or cause pain. 

To get cosmetic teeth whitening advice about what will work best for your specific situation, use our dentist finder to make an appointment today.