Are you wondering how to whiten your teeth? Let’s face it, sparkling white teeth as seen on celebrities are not always easy to obtain without a complete mouth makeover but if you weren’t blessed by naturally white teeth there are a few measures you can take to improve their appearance. Hmm…you can start by putting down that cup of coffee and stamping out that cigarette! The nicotine in cigarettes and drinks like cola, coffee and tea all stain the teeth and so will your favorite red wine! Sorry! The first step you can take to whiten your teeth is putting a stop to the activities that make them yellow.

Quitting may be easier said than done though, and there may be other reasons why your pearly whites are more like gritty yellows. Nerve degeneration, the use of antibiotics and excessive fluoride (especially when you are young) can all lead to yellowing and discoloration of the teeth. Take heart, though there ARE a few effective ways to brighten your pearlies and they are listed below.

Power Bleaching

Power bleaching won’t change your teeth to sparkly white but it will make your teeth a few shades lighter (if they weren’t damaged by antibiotics). It is probably the best way to whiten your teeth and once the treatment is done you’ll only need a touch-up once every few years. A variety of treatments are available and they vary in cost, quality, safety and technique.

Bleaching will not whiten restored teeth like bonding, laminates or crowns and will cause some sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks.

A ‘true’ power bleach or ‘chairside whitening’ is done in one sitting at your dentist’s office and takes about 30 to 120 minutes. This depends on the dentist’s technique and how much you want to whiten your teeth.

You will be fitted with a dental tray – this is a mouthpiece that covers your teeth (not gums). Next a bleaching gel is applied to the tray. The gel is made of highly concentrated carbamide peroxide and it is left on your teeth for between 30 and 60 minutes. Heat and light is used to break the gel down and as it does so oxygen enters the enamel and dentine of your teeth, cleaning the discolored areas. This process does not change the chemical structure of your teeth in any way.

The cost of a power bleaching ranges from around $390 – $1,200 for upper and lower arches. It is a very popular method at the moment so some discounting occurs at good dentist’s offices. If you want to whiten your teeth safely and effectively power bleaching is the answer.

Whiten Your Teeth at Home

If you decide to whiten your teeth the old fashioned way due to cost or perhaps… fear (!) consider one of these two options:

1. Over-the-Counter Bleaching Kits

Buy an over-the-counter bleaching tray. A kit like this contains a one-size-fits-all tray and the bleaching gel. If you whiten your teeth at home it will take about two weeks of using the tray for two hours a day.

Prices range from $49 – $120 for a complete system i.e. the upper and lower sets of teeth.

Do note that most dentists are not in favor of this type of bleaching system due to the possibility of unpleasant side effects. The kits don’t have the custom fitting that comes with supervision and the gel can irritate and whiten your gums.

Before trying it out we suggest you see a dentist so that the best treatment can be determined for your specific problem. If you do go the home route make sure that the ADA (American Dental Association) has approved the product.

2. Dental Trays – Custom Made and Used at Home

This is a safer form of “at-home” bleaching and makes use of a custom-made dental tray from your dentist. A dental tray is supplied that covers your teeth and your dentist will give you the whitener to use at home.

The tray is worn twice a day for an hour for about two weeks to whiten your teeth by a few shades. After the procedure you visit your dentist again for a checkup. Supervised at-home kits cost from $300 to $500.

Using Whitening Toothpaste

Try old fashioned whitening toothpaste to aid the process above or as an alternative method to whiten your teeth. The ADA does approve of their use since they are quite harmless. Whitening toothpaste will remove an invisible film called pellicle from the teeth, and result in a whiter appearance.

Pellicle causes stains to stick to dental enamel so once it is removed your teeth have less chance of becoming discolored. Whitening toothpaste does not actually remove stains and it may take a long time to notice anything so persevere. It won’t actually whiten your teeth but it WILL prevent them from becoming yellow and discolored.

Use Good Oral Hygiene to Whiten Your Teeth

Remember, none of these measures is a replacement for good oral hygiene. It is really important to brush regularly – between meals and before bed (up and down and in a circular motion) and floss every day. Make sure you see a dentist at least once every six months and get your teeth cleaned regularly.

If you want to whiten your teeth start by avoiding the bad guys that cause stains, have your teeth power bleached or bleach them at home and brush with a whitening toothpaste every day. These measures go a long way on the road to whiter teeth. Whiten your teeth once and then decide to keep them that way by cultivating good oral hygiene habits. Your teeth will thank you! Enjoy!