Custom Bleaching Trays
Custom bleaching trays are designed to sit comfortably in your mouth and fit perfectly over your teeth so that the bleaching gel remains in place.
A Guide to Whiter Teeth
We all want a beautiful smile...
Thanks to modern dentistry,
we have options.
Whitening systems come in many forms—toothpastes, rinses, whitening strips, chewing gum, gels—and can cost anywhere from $5 to $2,500 depending on the chosen treatment. Before you choose between over-the-counter products, in-office treatments or homemade natural remedies, let’s take a closer look at all of the options.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
One of the most effective ways to whiten your teeth is by visiting the dentist. In-office treatments are popular because they are safe, fast and offer great results. Because dentists are able to use a higher dose of the bleaching agent than what is available over-the-counter, patients experience results almost immediately.
Laser Teeth Whitening
This professional treatment uses the heat emitted from a laser to accelerate the bleaching gel used in the whitening process.
Custom Bleaching Trays
Unlike generic bleaching systems that can be administered at home, bleaching trays given in-office use stronger products and consequently need to be administered under a doctor’s supervision. Generally speaking, over-the-counter products contain roughly three to seven percent hydrogen peroxide, in comparison to the 15 to 43 percent used at the dentist office.
How it Works:
The process starts with the dentist creating a customized mould of your teeth, which are then used to create trays. Because these trays are unique to your teeth, it increases the overall coverage of the whitening gel, thus making it more effective. The gel given with custom trays typically contains a higher concentration of peroxide to speed up the results. Additionally, desensitizing agents are included to decrease discomfort as well as Calcium-Phosphate to strengthen your teeth.
Laser Teeth Whitening
This method offers the fastest results at the highest price. Using a laser, dentists are able to speed up the teeth whitening process by harnessing the heat and light emitted from the laser. Although fast and effective, laser teeth whitening is often spread over multiple visits and the expense can add up quickly.
How it Works:
The dentist will apply a highly concentrated formula to your teeth that is then activated by the laser. Because of the laser’s precision, common side effects seen in bleaching such as pain and inflammation are greatly reduced. Laser teeth whitening can take multiple hours, but the majority of the time is spent safeguarding your mouth. The soft tissue around the mouth must be covered in beeswax in order to protect against the harshness of the concentrated formula.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
In-office treatments are fast and effective, but they often come with a big price tag, making these options less ideal. However, some of the best teeth whitening treatments can be purchased over-the-counter at an affordable price and done in the privacy of your own home!
Baking Soda with Lemon Juice
The power of baking soda combined with the natural bleaching agent in lemons creates the perfect whitening treatment.
Oil Pulling
Praised for its amazing health and beauty benefits, coconut oil also possesses strong antibacterial and antifungal properties making it a top choice ingredient for oil pulling.
Strawberry, Salt and Baking Soda
This unusual combination relies on the strength of baking soda, the grittiness of salt and the Vitamin C in strawberries to break down plaque and whiten your teeth.
Basil
Basil is good for your overall health and acts as a natural astringent that tightens your gums and protects your mouth from bad breath, plaque and tartar build up.
Baking Soda with Lemon Juice
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a weak alkaline compound that is grainy in texture, but gentle enough to rub directly onto your teeth. This helps polish your teeth and scrub away stains. By adding lemon juice, you get that extra boost of whitening power - think of it as a mild form of bleach.
To Use:
Put three tablespoons of baking soda into a small dish and add lemon juice. Mix until it becomes a paste. Before applying the paste, use a paper towel to dry your teeth. Once the saliva has been removed, put a toothpaste size amount of paste onto your toothbrush and apply. Let the paste sit for 1 minute and then rinse with water.
Oil Pulling
You’ve probably heard of the growing trend, oil pulling. But even if you haven’t, the important thing to know is that oil pulling isn’t a new trend at all. Oil pulling is an ancient Indian remedy that dates back 3,000 years. When oil is swished, the bacteria in your mouth sticks to the oil and dissolves. This protects you against gingivitis and leads to fresher breath.
To Use:
Put a tablespoon of coconut oil into your mouth and swish it around. If this is your first time, start with five minutes. As you grow more comfortable with the process, gradually increase swishing time to 15-20 minutes. After swishing, spit out the oil and brush your teeth.
Strawberry, Salt and Baking Soda
Due to the high amount of Vitamin C in strawberries, this delicious berry makes for a great natural whitening agent. While the Vitamin C breaks down plaque, strawberries also contain the enzyme, malic acid, which helps remove surface stains. The salt will help turn the strawberries into a paste that enables you to scrub away the stains. Baking soda is used to temper the acidity and enhance whiteness.
To Use:
Simply wash the strawberries and mash them in a small bowl. Then add a pinch of salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda until the paste is slightly granular. Use a paper towel to dry the saliva from your teeth and apply the strawberry paste onto your teeth with a toothbrush. After 5 minutes, spit and rinse with water.
Basil
In addition to being a whitening aid, the herb, basil, also prevents dental issues such as pyorrhea or bleeding gums. The best thing about this remedy is that it’s only one ingredient!
To Use:
Grab fresh basil leaves and leave them out until they become dry. Once completely dry, grind until it turns into powder form. Wipe the saliva from your teeth with a paper towel and then apply the basil paste onto your teeth. If the taste bothers you, mix some of your toothpaste into the basil paste. Brush as you normally would and rinse when done.