Professional Teeth Whitening - A Basic Overview

In recent times, the number of teeth whitening products on the market has increased drastically.  I believe this is due to the fact that people are exposed to more media images than they were before.  Everywhere you look, there are beautiful people with bright white teeth!  Think about this for a second.  How much time do you spend on the Internet?  Watching TV?  Reading beauty magazines?  And how many yellow or brown teeth do you see while doing any of these activities?  Probably not very many!  There are many different choices if one wants to whiten their teeth.  Choosing the right one can actually be a pretty stressful experience.  In this article, we'll try to simplify the professional teeth whitening market for you.

Now, there are some cheaper options if you don't want to go the professional route.  I'm talking, of course, about products like the Crest Whitestrips or whitening toothpastes.  These things can provide some benefits, but they're generally not nearly as effective as a professional method.  The biggest downfall to these cheap alternatives is the fact that the results aren't immediate or permanent.  The Whitestrips, for example, can take up to three weeks before a noticeable change in tooth color.  The teeth won't stay white for very long either - usually about six months.  Whitening toothpastes are even less effective.

Two Different Types Of Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures To Consider

If you want white teeth and you want them now, you need to start looking at using a professional whitener. There are basically two types of professional teeth whitening systems. The first one is done in a dentist's office and the second one is what's usually called a take home kit.

If money isn't a concern, I definitely recommend going with an in-office professional teeth whitening system. If you'd like to more about this type of product, check out my other article on the Brite Smile Teeth Whitener. Now, while all of these systems are slightly different, this should give you an idea of what these procedures are all about. They basically include the use of a highly concentrated peroxide gel in conjunction with a heat lamp. This procedure is often referred to as a laser teeth whitening treatment. The gel is basically painted on to the teeth before the lamp is placed above the mouth. The light from this special lamp creates a reaction in the gel that further whitens the teeth. In most instances, the patient can get great bright white teeth in a single one hour session. The cost of these treatments is usually in the $500 - $1000 range.

A slightly cheaper, yet still highly effective professional teeth whitening option is the take home kit. These, much like the system discussed above, are professional dentist recommended products. The difference is that these are prepared by the dentist but applied at home - as opposed to in an office. They usually take the form of two mouth guard looking things. One is meant for the bottom row of teeth and one is meant for the top. Prior to getting these trays, the dentist will take a mold of your mouth somehow. This ensures that the whitening trays are custom fit to your specific mouth. The trays usually come "pre-loaded" with a peroxide gel. With some products, the gel comes separated from the trays. Before you put them on, the gel is squeezed onto the tray. With this type of system, the peroxide gel isn't quite as strong as the type used in the Brite Smile(or similar) system. This is due simply to the fact that you aren't a dentist and can't be trusted with a highly concentrated peroxide. The take home professional teeth whitening cost is usually between $200 and $500.

Both these methods provide far better results than anything available over the counter. Talk to your dentist for more information! You may also want to check out my other articles on teeth whitening procedures and choosing the right teeth whitening dentist.