Many cosmetic procedures are on the rise. Few compare to the recent popularity of teeth whitening. If you enjoy foods or drinks that leave your teeth less than bright white, then you may be interested in one of the many ways currently available for making your smile whiter. A whiter smile will make you instantly more attractive to others, and those with great smiles are usually perceived as smarter, friendlier, and more successful. These are some great reasons to consider whitening your teeth, whether you choose to do it at home or in your dentist's chair.
Several options for teeth whitening are available:
Whitening toothpastes: These are certainly one of the least expensive of the tooth whitening options. It's suggested that daily use of a whitening toothpaste will eliminate some of the staining caused by coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking. Most of the whitening toothpastes contain substances such as baking soda or peroxide, and are considered to be harmless.
Baking soda and peroxide: Again, a very inexpensive way to whiten your teeth. This method takes a bit more effort than using a whitening toothpaste (it's assumed that you are brushing your teeth a couple of times a day already), but these ingredients are readily available, and you probably have them in your home already. This method requires you to brush your teeth with baking soda on your wet toothbrush, and rinse with some peroxide. While the taste is not terrific, you will see a bit more brightness if you try this method a couple of times per week.
Crest White Strips: Commercially available, these teeth whitening strips are a bit more expensive than your regular toothpaste. For about $40 for a two-week supply, you can get good results from this at-home method of whitening your teeth. Simply apply the upper and lower strips twice daily for about 30 minutes, and you will find your teeth to be noticeably whiter within days. Some minor side effects may include teeth sensitivity to hot or cold, but this usually diminishes within a couple of days of stopping the treatment. Crest White Strips are considered to be safe for periodic use to whiten your teeth.
Zoom! Teeth Whitening System: This method of teeth whitening is performed at your dentist's office. It is proven to be safe and effective, and will provide you with long-lasting results. In less than an hour, you will have your teeth whitened by about 8 shades, as compared with using a whitening toothpaste for a month and seeing 1-2 shades of improvement. Of course, the flip side is the expense. Zoom! whitening will run you anywhere from $400-900 depending on your geographic location, the condition of your teeth, and whether or not there is a home whitening component as a follow up, such as a professional plasma tooth whitening kit or additional tooth whitening gels that need to be applied for several days or for touch up in a few weeks.
Only you can decide whether your best option is to whiten your teeth at home or schedule a trip to your dentist for help. Either way, it's easy to get a whiter smile, and there are several terrific options to try. That should be enough to put a smile on your face.
