There are many products on the market that claim to whiten your teeth. The decision as to what product and process to use depends on several factors including if teeth whitening is even for you. Many people actually prefer going to a dentist that specializes in cosmetic color enhancement.

1. Your comfort level in taking control of your own oral hygiene and dental care. If you aren’t confident in your abilities to follow the directions and cautions with home treatments, professional tooth whitening may be the answer.
2. Your general oral health and teeth condition must be adequate to use home kits.

3. Speed at which you need your teeth to be whitened? If the fastest possible way to teeth whitening is your need, a professional dental treatment is probably the way to go.

4. Cost! You can however, get about the same results as a professional dental treatment at substantially less cost. Of course, the trade off is speed.

5. Convenience. If you’re pressed for time and can’t find the time for dental whitening appointments, then at home whitener kits are your best bet.

6. Are your teeth sensitive? If your teeth are sensitive, then a lower concentration of active ingredients is the way to go. The higher the strength, the more likely your teeth and gums will become sensitized during the whitening process. Lower strength products usually take a little longer to fully whiten your teeth, but without the sensitivity factor.

7. Comfort. Custom fitted trays are the most comfortable of the tray systems. The whitestrips method, is the least intrusive but also the least effective long term. Finally, there’s the point-on type products, These are most comfortable but do little to whiten your teeth.

IS TEETH WHITENING SAFE?
It's usually safe, easy, gentle and very effective.

HOW DOES TEETH WHITENING PRODUCTS WORK?
A gel is used that oxidizes your teeth to a whiter color. The gel is held against your teeth using a strip, similar to a band-aid or formed teeth trays. The trays or strips are worn anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the product used.

ARE THE RESULTS PERMANENT?
How long your whiter, brighter smile will last depends on your eating and drinking habits. We know that tannin type drinks like coffee and tea stain tooth enamel along with strong colored foods. Cherries are a good example of a food that will stain your teeth.

The good news is a quick touch up application will bring your smile back to it’s desires shade of white.

DO HOME BASED TEETH WHITENING PRODUCTS GIVE THE SAME RESULTS AS PROFESSIONAL DENTAL PROGRAMS?

For less that ½ the cost a dentist would charge, the same bright white smile can be yours.