At Home Teeth Whitening Guide

The easiest way to gain a friend would be through your smile.  They say that music is the universal language, but I say that it's smiling!  For some people though, smiling comes as a challenge, especially if their teeth are discolored.  The discoloration of teeth can be caused by a number of things - from the things we eat and drink, to lifestyle choices, such as smoking. The natural color of our teeth is not really the bright white you see on television and in advertisements, but due to commercialism, the demand is always growing. That's why at home teeth whitening is becoming a more and more popular choice for getting that perfect smile!

Teeth whitening used to only be done by professionals.  You would have to pay a fortune to get those pearly whites truly bright and dazzling.  Nowadays though, there are at home teeth whitening products that are not only affordable, but the results can be compared to professionally done teeth whitening.

One simple method of teeth whitening at home product would be your toothpaste.  Not any regular toothpaste though.  Within the different brands of toothpaste that are out in the market today, you'll find varieties that are especially made for at home teeth whitening.  This method would be advisable to those who have a healthy mouth and teeth already, and follow the rule of regular visits to the dentist.  One should not expect to have whiter teeth immediately just by using the whitening toothpaste, as what we eat also affects the color of our teeth.  If you are a heavy tea or coffee drinker, or if you are a smoker, your teeth would likely be discolored with a yellowish tint to it - and a stronger method of teeth whitening would be required.

Perhaps the most popular at home teeth whitening product would be teeth whitening trays or strips.  These contain hydrogen peroxide and are used daily to get the utmost effect.  This method keep the peroxide solution on the teeth (or most accurately, against the teeth) for a designated length of time.  Normally the tooth whitening gel is kept against the teeth for a period of 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the degree of discoloration that you have.

Another way of teeth whitening at home would be the paint-on tooth whitener.  As the name suggests, this would be applied directly to the tooth area where the discoloration occurs.  It is easy to use and would not require you to wear a special mold as with teeth whitening trays or strips.  However, since it is applied directly to the teeth without a protective barrier, it can easily be dissolved in the mouth.  Careful and consistent use, however, would ensure good results and is normally seen after a couple of weeks of using the product.

There are also mouthwashes that can be used for at home teeth whitening.  Listerine came out with a mouthwash with teeth whitening properties, and they recommend partnering it with a whitening toothpaste for optimum results.  You can also make your own teeth whitening "gel" by mixing peroxide with baking soda and a bit of toothpaste.  Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening is not the fastest method, but it can be very effective and is perhaps the most budget friendly way of teeth whitening at home.

Before investing in teeth whitening products, however, it would be best to ask your dentist what is most recommended.  Do not rely too much on the popularity of the product.  Product quality and reliability should be given consideration, and if you have particularly sensitive teeth or gums, your dentist may recommend particular products or procedures for the best results.

As mentioned before, our teeth are not truly white in color.  When we go to have teeth whitened, we are actually scraping some of the teeth enamel, making it thinner and more sensitive.  You also need to ensure that you follow all instructions properly, so that the whitening process would appear as natural as possible.  You would not want to have unnaturally white teeth, after all!  It would be more embarrassing than having discolored teeth, and it would also stop you from offering your smiles to anyone.  So research the methods out there, and you'll be sure to find just the right at home teeth whitening solution for you!