We all want to have white teeth and a beautiful smile, and today there are more and more products on the market that seem to be able to help us with that. Teeth whitening, whether done in a dental office or using OTC products at home, offers a number of benefits. With its impact on the aesthetics of teeth, whitening will definitely boost your self-confidence, which will result in greater success in dating, business and social activities, and much more.
For many people, this is one of the details that drastically affects their physical appearance and helps them feel better and more beautiful in their body. Below you can read more about how whitening products work, what options are available nowadays, as well as how often you can whiten your teeth.
First of all, how do teeth whitening treatments work?
Generally speaking, the majority of teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as a main active ingredient. As the whitening gel is applied on the teeth surface, it oxidizes organic pigments & stains from the teeth resulting in improvement of teeth color tone.
The higher concentration of the whitener, the better the whitening result is delivered, and more specialized knowledge & experience is required for the application. This is why teeth whitening kits for at-home applications have a much lower concentration of active ingredients for up to 6% hydrogen peroxide.
While whitening gels addressed to dental professionals can be higher than 20% of hydrogen peroxide. The very important information here is that the product name with an indication of 40% does not always mean that the active ingredients’ concentration equals 40%.
Products names with such high numbers are often meant to underline their effectiveness rather than a concentration and rarely are in line with real product concentration (listed on the back of the products among the list of ingredients). To verify the real concentration of teeth whitener is recommended to read the product box & manual carefully as Name40% whitener often contains perfectly safe 6% hydrogen peroxide or its equivalent.
When you do a teeth-whitening treatment in a professional setting, your dentist will use products that contain a higher concentration of mentioned active ingredients, so less treatment will be needed to achieve the desired result. On the other hand, OTC products that you can use at home also contain hydrogen peroxide or its equivalent (for example carbamide peroxide), but in a much lower concentration, which means that they are completely safe and that after a few treatments you will also be able to notice their amazing effect on your teeth.
NOTE: When we talk about teeth whitening products that you can use at home, we mean products of a registered brand that contain quality ingredients in specific concentrations to achieve the best possible formulation and ensure the desired effect. We are not talking about DIY products that you make yourself, because not only do such products often do not achieve results, they can also be unsafe and do more harm than good.
How frequently can you whiten your teeth?
If you want to know how often you can whiten your teeth, you must first understand that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this. Almost every individual product for this purpose has its own specific schedule that further determines the frequency of its use. Another thing that affects this frequency is the condition of your teeth.
If the teeth are heavily stained, the frequency of teeth whitening treatments will be higher than in people whose teeth are naturally whiter. And of course, there is also the sensitivity of your teeth which dictates the possibility and recommended frequency of applying whitening agents. In some people, the teeth are so sensitive that it is not recommended to do such treatments at all, while other should only do it less often. Additionally, dental experts say that hydrogen peroxide whiteners are more likely to cause post-treatment tooth sensitivity & discomfort than those based on a new type, carbamide peroxide formula.
The general recommendation of the dentist is a maximum of two professional whitening treatments per year. This should be quite enough for you to achieve the amazing smile you dream about. When it comes to using whitening kits at home, the frequency is slightly higher (several times a year), and these products are usually used daily for two weeks, followed by a longer break.
One of the products that can be used for teeth whitening at home is Expert 38% Teeth Whitener. This gel provides visible results after the first 30 minutes of treatment, and it is necessary to repeat the application for several consecutive days (maximum 12 days) in order to achieve the final result. Expert38% Teeth Whitener is one of those OTC teeth whitening products that are safe for use at home and have the formulation that ensures you achieve desired result.
Although you can achieve wonderful results by whitening your teeth, it is important to understand that in this case more isn’t better. Performing this treatment too often can lead to tooth and enamel irritation, so it is important to do it in moderation. When you use whitening products at the recommended frequency, you will achieve the best possible results, so we suggest that you always listen to your dentist’s recommendations and follow the instructions on OTC whitening products.
Some of the things you should keep in your mind about teeth whitening:
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Teeth whitening is always just a good addition to optimal dental hygiene
Whitening treatments require you to have optimal oral hygiene. Only then they are a great aesthetic addition. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day, use dental floss and interdental brushes regularly. Only then can you be sure that your teeth are ready for this treatment. In case you choose professional teeth whitening, your dentist will do dental hygiene and scalling before proceeding with the whitening treatment.
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Immediately after the treatment, expect your teeth to be more sensitive
Another thing to keep in mind before you decide to whiten your teeth is that your teeth will be more sensitive immediately after the treatment and for the next few days. This means that you can experience mild discomfort, especially when consuming very cold or very hot foods and drinks, so you should avoid them during this short period.
This primarily refers to the professional whitening treatments you do in the dental office. Your dentist will certainly give you additional guidelines and advice on how to properly treat your teeth immediately after whitening.
When it comes to OTC teeth whitening products, they have somewhat milder effects, so you probably won’t experience increased teeth and gum sensitivity. However, it is a good idea to read more information and tips on the product user manual to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience with maximum results.
Conclusion
We all love white teeth and a beautiful smile, and nowadays we are lucky to be able to achieve that in several different ways. There are two types of teeth whitening treatments: professional (performed by a dentist) and OTC whitening products. Both types have their advantages, so make sure you gather more information about both so you can decide which one will help you achieve the desired smile with more enjoyment.
If you need more information on which one is best for your situation, you can visit a dental expert near you or this dentist who does teeth whitening and high-quality dental implants in Chattanooga.
