Methods of Teeth Whitening
Having decided that it’s time you bought some teeth whitening products to remove any stains or discoloring in your teeth, you’ve probably been surprised at the range of products available. The following gives you some information on some of the more common treatments and products you’re likely to see that can be used to restore your teeth to a bright and natural whiteness. Even if you’re going to a dentist for a course of teeth whitening treatment, you should also know what options are available to you.
Almost without exception, a product specifically formulated to whiten your teeth will have a peroxide compound as the main active ingredient. These peroxides are invariably in a highly viscous gel form and act like a bleach, soaking into minute pores in the enamel of your teeth oxidizing away any discoloring or staining and leaving you with perfectly white teeth.
The special teeth whitening gel is usually applied in one of the following three ways.
- You pour a small amount of the gel into troughs that looks rather like a sportspersons mouth-shield. You then clamp the troughs between your teeth, immersing the teeth in the gel.
- The teeth whitening compound can be impregnated onto a strip that you press against your teeth for a period of time.
- The gel can also be applied similarly to any regular toothpaste. However, rather than ‘brushing’ all your teeth at once, you would apply the gel to each tooth individually using a brush purposefully designed for the job.
Before using the teeth whitening product you must give your teeth a thorough cleaning and floss in between them. The number of times per day and the length of time per application that the gel has to be left in contact with your teeth; varies according to the different products and their manufacturer’s recommendations, but it is usually only twice a day and a few minutes at a time.
Initially most of the teeth whitening products will need using for several days before your teeth are fully restored to a bright white sparkle. However, after that regular and thorough cleaning of your teeth top quality oral hygiene products like toothpastes, floss and mouth-washes should be sufficient to keep your teeth nice and white. Obviously, purchasing some ordinary toothpaste that is also formulated to whiten your teeth will help. Most manufacturers of teeth whitening products recommend ‘topping’ up their teeth whitening treatment program every three months or so, to help maintain that brilliant and fresh whiteness.