Teeth whitening is a big concern for a lot of people

A visit to the dentist for teeth whitening will provide the quickest and the most drastic changes. However, this option is expensive and there can be a wait time for an appointment. At the dentist office, they will place a whitening agent directly on to the teeth. Generally, this is stronger and more concentrated than the formulas that are found in take home treatments which are why it provides faster results. Usually, these are used together with heat, a laser or special light for better results in a shorter time. Visible whitening can be achieved after one visit but more visits are needed to maintain the changes and to see even better ones. Usually, teeth whitening treatments are not covered by dental insurance which can add to the cost.

For people who want to handle their teeth whitening at home, there is a multitude of products available. These include toothpastes, mouthwashes and rinses, whitening strips and gels and tray systems. For people who need smaller improvements, the toothpastes and mouth rinses may be their best choice because they contain smaller amounts of the active ingredients. This means there is a smaller risk of side effects like weakened sensitive teeth. This usually occurs in people who had sensitive teeth to begin with. All toothpastes remove stains from the tooth's surface, but whitening pastes include extra ingredients to handle tougher stains. Whitening mouthwashes can take up to three months to show a result because they are only on the tooth for a short time.

Whitening strips are the newest convenience in the teeth whitening market. The strips are placed on the teeth for a set schedule. They don't require time to dry like gels that are brushed on the teeth and they show results in a few days. The in-home whitening tray systems include a whitening gel or paste that is placed in the tray which is put over the teeth.