How Does a Dental Whitening System Work

There is little doubt that a professional dental whitening system is very expensive. Some of the procedures cost more than a thousand dollars and may require more than one visit. The majority of folks, unless their teeth are very stained, elect to use a home tooth bleaching system, such as Crest White Strips or other home kits that lighten the color of the teeth.

If you are curious as to how the kits work, then today is your lucky day. Keep reading and you will get a clearer perspective on having a brighter smile and you may even save yourself a visit to a cosmetic dentist.

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.

A home dental whitening system is a great product provided you do not have any problems with your teeth and gums. If you are allergic to certain types of bleaching gels, then the kit could put you at serious health risk. If you have open spots on tooth surfaces from tooth decay, then the whitening gel could make the condition worse and cause pain. Before beginning any teeth whitening system, you may want to consult with your dentist. He or she can make a recommendation that best suits your particular oral needs.