The Reality Of Dental Whitening Systems

If you have considered a trip to a professional about a dental whitening system, then you are not alone. People, on average, spend quite a lot of their hard earned paychecks on dental visits in order to have whiter teeth and fresher breath. But you may be asking yourself, why go to a professional when you can get good results at home, without paying a huge dental bill. There are some great kits on the market that can give you a smile of which to be proud, and all from the comfort of your own home.

A dental whitening system works by applying a gel directly to the surface of each tooth. In the early days of seeking whiter teeth, a person would order a home kit that could potentially do more harm than good. First, you had to shape the plastic tray into a mold of your teeth. The tray would be worn overnight. The problem was that the active ingredient in the gel was effective for only an hour or two, and the gel would be swallowed during the night. This sometimes caused irritation of the gums and the throat.

Items such as Crest White Strips have eliminated the need for the bulky whitening trays and bleach that stayed on overnight. These whitening strips are applied to the teeth and then left on for fifteen to thirty minutes twice a day. Some of the new lines are applied only at night. The reason is that most people, after brushing their teeth at night, do not eat or drink anything until they wake in the morning, therefore leaving the whitening gel on the tooth surface longer.

Teeth whitening kits also are produced in generic versions such as Equate found in Wal-Mart. Truth be told, they are just as effective as their brand name counterparts. If you are unsure if the kit is of the same quality as Crest, then take a look at the ingredients list. Chances are the active ingredients are the same for both brands and you may actually save a few dollars.

Not everyone can use a dental whitening system due to problems with their teeth. Severe discoloration may require a trip to the dentist for veneers and you should never attempt using a whitening agent if you are allergic to bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Both of these are very common active ingredients used to bleach the teeth. Your best bet may be to talk with your dentist or dental hygienist before using any at-home tooth whitening products.

To learn more go to Los Anngeles Tooth Whitening and at Whitening In Walnut Creek