Teeth Whitening Kits are Putting Dentists Out on the Street

Wouldn’t most of us like to have that perky white smile? The one that helps win you the dream job or makes the cute girl at the diner look at you twice? With the new teeth whitening kits available, you can achieve whiter teeth in as little as two weeks. There is an array of products in the market to choose from. The painless and reasonably priced remedies give dentists more reason for concern than the patients. Though you can have your pick among teeth whitening kits to make those pearly whites whiter, make sure you know enough about the one you choose.

Few people are born with pure white teeth, a problem that is exacerbated as age causes further discoloration. The older we get, the more stained and yellow our teeth become. This is due both to the natural ageing process and to staining from foods and beverages that we consume. Tea and coffee are particularly common offenders. A film of plaque and tartar also tends to deposit over the surface of the teeth, causing them to appear yellow. Teeth whitening kits can be used at home and work out cheaper, especially if you can’t quit red wine, coffee, tea, or smoking.

A visit to the dentist can set you back anywhere upwards of $300 for lightening up your smile, while teeth whitening kits can cost as little as $15. The pressure to look good is ever-present in our image conscious society and while many people spend money on clothes, hair and make-up, something as simple as clean, sparkling teeth can make all the difference. People are often judged by appearances and looking well groomed can definitely work to your advantage both in your professional and personal life.

At-home teeth whitening kits are generally tray-based systems, though whitening toothpastes, strips, gels and paints are also available. A tray-based kit has two components. One is the mould shaped like your teeth and gums, and the other is the whitening gel. The mould is filled with the gel and fitted over the upper and lower teeth for a few hours a day everyday or overnight every night for a few weeks. The whitening gel contains a peroxide compound that acts like a bleaching agent to lighten the shade of your teeth. The duration of the treatment will depend on the condition of your teeth.

Teeth whitening kits typically contain much less bleaching agent than dentists use in their offices. The difference can be up to fifty percent and that means at-home kits can be quite safe. While products that are not American Dental Association (ADA) approved may be safe, it is always a good idea to look for the ADA seal of approval when purchasing a kit. When using any whitening product, you need to remember that your teeth may lighten no more than a few shades and the results last only as long as you avoid consuming foods and beverages that will discolor your teeth again.

Finally, children under the age of 16, pregnant women, people who suffer from gum diseases, sensitive teeth, allergy to peroxide, exposed nerves or roots, should not use teeth whitening kits without consulting a dentist. People with sensitive teeth may use the product for shorter time periods and choose one with a milder agent. For everyone else, these kits provide the opportunity to achieve a smile like a movie star. So just smile, and let the shutterbugs click!