Achieving a brighter smile has never been easier; there is a wide range of whitening or bleaching products that you can use to brighten your smile. At-home systems like rinses, toothpaste, and gels can help whiten your teeth, but they are often less effective than professional teeth whitening. Consider in-office teeth whitening Emerson for faster and optimal results; this system uses a much stronger bleaching solution than home kits. But if you decide to whiten your teeth at home, talk to your dentist, especially if you have sensitive teeth, dental restorations, dark stains, and lots of filings. Below are some of the whiteners that your dentist may recommend.

Whitening rinses

Whitening rinses are among the newest whitening products available and like most mouthwashes, they freshen your breath and reduce dental plaque and your risk of gum disease. However, unlike your regular mouthwash, whitening rinses contain additional ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which whitens teeth. Before brushing your teeth, you swish the rinse in your mouth for one minute. Manufacturers say that it may take at least 12 weeks for you to notice some change.

However, rinses may not be as effective as other over-the-counter whitening products since it is only in contact with the teeth for a short time. As mentioned above, you swish the rinse in your mouth for only two minutes; this limited time makes the product less effective. Some people rinse first and then brush their teeth with whitening toothpaste to increase the effectiveness of the mouthwash.

Tray-based teeth whiteners

You can purchase tray-based tooth whitening systems from a dentist or over the counter. This system comprises a mouth guard-like tray and whitening gel with a peroxide-bleaching agent. You wear the tray for a couple of hours a day and at night for at least four weeks. You may need to use the trays for longer, depending on the degree of discoloration and desired level of whitening. Tray-based tooth whitening systems are usually available in most pharmacies or drugstores.

Whitening toothpaste

All toothpaste contains mild abrasives and may therefore remove surface-level stains. But whitening toothpaste has gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. They do not contain bleach and can whiten your natural tooth color by about one shade. On the other hand, prescription strength whitening performed by your dentist can make your teeth three to eight shades whiter.

When whitening teeth at home, it is vital to follow the instructions to avoid undesirable side effects. For example, you should not leave strips or gels on longer than the directions recommend. Doing so sets you up for problems like sore gums. Also, you want to avoid acidic beverages like soda and sports drinks for a couple of hours after using whitening products.

Teeth bleaching can make your teeth temporarily sensitive; the procedure can also be uncomfortable or painful for sensitive teeth. Also, teeth whitening works best for people with yellow stains and is less effective for brown teeth. For these reasons, it is worth your time and money to consult your dentist before using an over-the-counter whitening kit.

You have no reason to walk around with stained teeth. Request an appointment with your dentist at Emerson Dental Arts for teeth whitening to improve the integrity of your smile.