Teeth whitening technology has come a long way in recent years - long gone are the days when your only options were sticky whitening strips or messy gel trays. Instead, whitening is faster and easier than ever before with innovations like LED teeth whitening that enhance the effects of whitening gel for better, longer-lasting results.

What are the basics of teeth whitening?

This is because when applied to the teeth, hydrogen peroxide acts as a catalyst for an oxidation reaction to occur. The oxidation reaction breaks down the molecular bonds of discolored molecules, causing the stains to vanish. In simpler terms, hydrogen peroxide dissolves stains from the enamel and dentin layers in order to whiten the teeth. Even though the whitening gel is only on your teeth for a limited amount of time, it will remain effective for the first 24 hours after application.

Causes of Discolored Teeth

Over time, you may notice a change in the color of your teeth. This may be happening for one or several of the following reasons:

Food and Drink

Coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the major staining culprits. Their intense color pigments called chromogens attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel) and cause discoloration or staining.

Tobacco Use

Tar and nicotine are the two chemicals in tobacco that lead to tough stains on teeth. Tar is naturally dark, which contributes to staining, while nicotine is colorless until it is mixed with oxygen. Therefore, when the nicotine mixes with oxygen while smoking, it turns into a yellowish substance that is notorious for staining teeth.

Age

Below the tooth enamel, there’s a softer layer called dentin, which is more yellow in nature. Over time, our tooth enamel gets thinner, leading to more of the yellowish dentin showing through the enamel.

Trauma

If you’ve been hit in the mouth or have another type of mouth injury, your tooth may change color because it’s not receiving adequate blood flow anymore. Over time, the tooth may heal itself or it may die altogether. After a mouth injury, it’s always best to have a dentist examine the damage and recommend a treatment plan going forth.

Medications

Some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications may have a side effect of tooth darkening. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline during the time their teeth are forming or while in the womb may have some discoloration of their teeth in adulthood. Chemotherapy and neck radiation may also darken teeth.

Are Teeth Whitening Kits Effective?

At-home teeth whitening kits can show some results, but they have their limitations. Teeth whitening kits are effective only at eliminating some stains and teeth discoloration. In-office teeth whitening is more effective because it uses whitening treatments that contain hydrogen peroxide concentrations of up to 40 percent, while most store-bought whitening products and kits usually have no more than 10 percent of concentrations.

Whitening Toothpaste

If you use a whitening toothpaste twice daily, it may take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks before you see any results. Users say these results can last for up to 3 or 4 months.

Whitening toothpaste can be used every day or several times a week. They contain ingredients that polish or whiten teeth, such as:

● hydrogen peroxide

● carbamide peroxide

● mild abrasives

Toothpastes that only contain abrasives tackle surface stains and can’t change the internal color of teeth. Those that contain peroxide can whiten teeth and remove stains to varying degrees.

You may be able to prolong these effects if you continue to use whitening toothpaste. But some people are sensitive to the ingredients and find that their gums or teeth become uncomfortable with prolonged use. Many toothpastes containing abrasives are also not meant for long-term use.

Long-term use of whitening toothpaste may thin tooth enamel. If you plan to use whitening toothpaste long term, try alternating with a toothpaste designed to protect and strengthen enamel.

Whitening Mouthwash

It may take up to 3 months before you see any effect from a whitening mouthwash.

Whitening mouthwashes usually contain hydrogen peroxide. You can use a whitening mouthwash daily, to help remove small degrees of surface staining.

Whitening mouthwash may be most effective when used to prolong the effect of other treatments, such as in-office whitening or whitening strips. When used alone, its effects are not dramatic, or long-lasting.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips vary in the number of treatments needed before you see results. Some strips provide superior results, which can last for up to 6 months.

Whitening strips are one of the most effective over-the-counter treatments for whitening teeth at home. Some brands are easier to use and more effective than others. Some use LED accelerator lights to provide more intense stain removal.

Whitening strips use peroxide to bleach teeth and remove stains. When used incorrectly or too often, they may be uncomfortable or harmful to teeth.

When used correctly, high-quality brands of whitening strips can remove both extrinsic and mild intrinsic stains, by bleaching teeth to make them whiter in color.

Whitening Pens

Whitening pens take from 2 days up to a week. They provide minimal results that are usually not long-lasting.

Whitening pens are small, plastic tubes containing whitening gel that are transportable and used for spot stain removal. The gel washes away easily, so you can’t eat, drink, or rinse your teeth for about an hour after application.

At-home Whitening Gel Trays

Your dentist will supervise this treatment and guide you as to how long and how often you should use it. In some instances, you may need to keep the tray on your teeth for several hours or overnight daily, for a week or longer.

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Top 5: Teeth Whitening Products

Everybody wants heathy and white teeth. But sometimes it seems like no matter how much you brush, you just can't get that pearly white look you desire! How do they even do it over there in Hollywood? Let the search for a perfect smile end here. Here are 5 of the best teeth personal care and whitening products:

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Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen - We really like this product. Its better than the average teeth whitener because its easier to use, it doesn't taste horrible at all, and you don't have to wait 30 min to take off strips on your teeth.

Luelli Teeth Whitening System - With a powerful LED lighting system, you can accelerate the whiteness of your teeth after just one use, breaking down stubborn stains that result from coffee, tea, drinks, wine, and so forth.

Teeth Whitening Strips by Lumineux Oral Essentials - These strips use natural coconut oil, which is safe for your enamel and the beneficial microorganisms inhabiting your mouth.

GLO Brilliant Deluxe Teeth Whitening Device Kit - An innovative, award-winning teeth whitening device that combines professional elements of heat and blue LED light to give you fast, visible results at home – without sensitivity.