A white smile makes you feel more confident and leaves a lasting impression. Tooth staining occurs gradually when you consume beverages such as coffee and wine, as well as from smoking habits and natural aging processes. While many whitening options exist, not all deliver the same results. The rate at which your teeth whiten varies between different methods. Certain methods are safe for long-term use, while others can harm enamel. This blog explains different whitening options to help you choose the ideal method.
Some of the ways you can achieve a brighter smile include the following:
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
Consider professional dental treatments if you want immediate and noticeable teeth whitening benefits. They deliver exceptional results in just one session. Professional teeth whitening procedures use advanced technology and professional-grade whitening agents to improve instant smile brightness.
Zoom! Professional Teeth Whitening
Zoom! Professional Teeth Whitening is a fast and effective way to achieve a brighter smile in just one visit. The procedure involves applying a hydrogen peroxide-based gel to your teeth, which is then activated by Philips’ WhiteSpeed blue LED lamp.
The complete treatment lasts 45 minutes through three consecutive 15-minute sessions. You can relax as your teeth achieve up to 8 shades of whiteness. A quicker method known as a QuickPro treatment provides a 4-shade whitening effect in only 30 minutes.
Under the guidance of your dentist, you undergo this procedure while your dentist takes protective measures to shield your gums and lips. The treatment causes temporary sensitivity and mild discomfort, but you can control these side effects with pain medication. Aftercare includes avoiding staining foods and practicing proper oral care.
The treatment consists of a take-home whitening kit that you can use for ongoing maintenance. While the results are impressive, they are not permanent. You have to undergo this treatment again after a while. A single session of Zoom! Whitening treatment generally costs about $500.
Laser Whitening
Laser teeth whitening is an effective technique that uses a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel activated by laser or LED light technology. The light energy accelerates the whitening process by breaking down stains on the enamel surfaces to achieve targeted whitening. If properly executed, the procedure does not cause gum irritation. The treatment provides immediate results, with your teeth becoming several shades whiter with just one appointment.
The procedure is safe; however, you may experience temporary side effects that affect tooth sensitivity and cause gum discomfort. The results from laser whitening treatment do not persist as long as those from veneers or other methods, so you need to schedule periodic maintenance treatments.
Custom Take-Home Whitening Kits
Custom take-home teeth whitening kits offer professional-level results with the convenience of at-home use. A dentist starts by taking impressions of your teeth to manufacture personalized-fitting trays.
After they are ready for use and receive clear directions, your dentist will give you the trays and the professional-strength whitening gel (hydrogen or carbamide peroxide). Depending on the concentration of the gel, you should wear the custom-fitted trays for about 15 minutes or overnight.
The custom fit and stronger whitening gel in these kits provide better results than standard over-the-counter teeth whiteners. Depending on the brand selection and the strength of the gel, these devices cost between $100 and $600.
Over-the-counter (OTC) Teeth Whitening Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are convenient and affordable. They can be bought in your neighborhood drugstores and supermarkets. They include:
Whitening Strips and Gels
Whitening strips and gels are popular over-the-counter teeth whitening options containing peroxide-based bleaching agents like hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These products break down surface stains through their active ingredients, and you can start seeing results after using them regularly for a few weeks.
Whitening strips can be effective, sometimes matching the results of whitening trays with carbamide peroxide. OTC products contain less peroxide than professional treatments; thus, you achieve slower and less dramatic results.
Whitening strips are affordable and simple to apply, but their one-size-fits-all design might result in uneven tooth whitening and irritation to the gums. The effectiveness of whitening gels depends on their concentration and regular use when applied through brushes or generic trays.
The best results from whitening strips are obtained when applied daily for around thirty minutes while avoiding contact with gums. To prevent irritation and ensure uniform whitening results, you should strictly follow the instructions for using whitening gels.
Whitening Mouthwashes
Using mouthwash with whitening properties can gradually remove surface stains. Whitening mouthwashes have low-dose hydrogen peroxide content (1.5%–2%) and can gradually grant you a brighter smile if you maintain regular use.
However, since you only swish it for 30–60 seconds, its whitening effect is limited compared to strips or professional treatments. Whitening mouthwashes produce modest color improvements over the weeks, mainly on surface stains from coffee, tea and tobacco, but they do not remove stains deep inside the tooth.
The product requires rinsing after brushing and flossing, and you should use it twice daily as instructed. Several whitening mouthwash products contain fluoride to improve tooth enamel strength. While whitening mouthwash offers some benefits, it is less effective than at-home bleaching gels with higher peroxide concentrations.
Paint on Whitening Varnishes or Gels
Teeth whitening gels and varnishes sold over the counter are applied directly to the teeth through a small brush. These products contain low amounts of hydrogen peroxide and can temporarily whiten teeth, coating your teeth rather than penetrating the enamel.
This whitening result is only effective for a few hours. Paint-on whitening varnishes and gels are weaker than other teeth whitening methods, even when applied frequently and with higher peroxide concentrations.
The application process starts with drying your teeth, spreading a thin layer of the whitening agent, and ensuring your mouth is open to allow the gel to harden. These gels result in minimal and temporary tooth whitening effects and deliver less effective results than professional dental treatments.
Whitening Toothpaste
Daily use of whitening toothpaste is an easy method to enhance the brightness of your teeth during your regular oral hygiene routine. They contain mild abrasives like baking soda and silica to polish teeth and remove surface stains from food and drinks. The whitening toothpastes also contain small amounts of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to break down stains gradually.
Surface stains respond well to whitening toothpaste, but these products do not alter tooth color. They produce less dramatic results compared to professional or whitening strip treatments. For best results, brush twice daily for at least two minutes and choose an American Dental Association (ADA)-approved product for safety and effectiveness.
Natural Teeth Whitening Methods
Some people who want to whiten their teeth prefer natural methods because they avoid commercial products or prefer a holistic approach. While some natural remedies can help, their effectiveness varies, and some may even pose risks to your dental health.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda has gentle scrubbing power to remove stains from teeth surfaces, while hydrogen peroxide is a common bleaching agent in commercial whitening products. When used together, these two substances are frequently advertised as a natural alternative for teeth whitening.
People mix baking soda with water to create a paste to brush their teeth gently one or two times weekly. They also mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with water to make a mouthwash solution, which they swish between 30 and 60 seconds before discarding. Mixing two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide produces a whitening paste. To protect tooth enamel, the mixture should be applied only once weekly.
The American Dental Association warns patients against using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together at home because of potential safety concerns. Regularly using baking soda damages tooth enamel and does not contain fluoride for cavity protection. Applying hydrogen peroxide in large amounts leads to gum irritation and enamel deterioration. These methods should be used in moderation and followed by thorough rinsing to safeguard your teeth.
Fruit Peels (Lemon, Orange)
You could try whitening your teeth using lemon or orange peels because these fruits contain citric acid. An orange peel contains d-limonene, which temporarily breaks down nicotine stains from teeth.
The strong acidity in lemon peels attacks tooth enamel, which could result in sensitivity and staining that grows worse with time. Even orange peels, though less acidic, still carry some risk of enamel damage. The scientific community has not established fruit peels as a reliable method for tooth whitening.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
People apply apple cider vinegar (ACV) as a whitening rinse because its acetic acid component has bleaching effects. The strong acidity of ACV (pH ~3.0) can damage your tooth enamel, resulting in increased sensitivity and a higher risk of cavities and tooth yellowing as the enamel gets thinner. If you use ACV for whitening, you must dilute it, rinse thoroughly and wait at least 60 minutes before brushing.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal’s popularity as a stain absorber has a drawback: It is abrasive enough to wear away enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity and cavity development.
Most charcoal-based toothpaste products do not contain fluoride, which is necessary to stop tooth decay. The small spaces where charcoal particles are trapped produce localized staining instead of achieving whitening effects.
How to Maintain a Brighter Smile
The accomplishment of whiter teeth marks only the initial step towards your goal. Your teeth will stay bright through regular oral hygiene practices, mindful dietary choices, and professional dental care.
Brushing and Flossing Daily
Brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes each session with a soft-bristled toothbrush helps preserve their white appearance. You should replace your toothbrush regularly, every three to four months. You should also brush all tooth surfaces, including your tongue.
Daily flossing eliminates plaque and food debris between teeth, preventing stains and tartar accumulation. A fluoride-whitening toothpaste will help polish away surface stains and strengthen your enamel. Using fluoride toothpaste regularly and whitening a few times weekly produces desirable results.
Diet and Lifestyle
Several food items and beverages can lead to tooth discoloration. The staining agents that discolor teeth include:
- Coffee
- Tea (mainly black tea)
- Red wine
- Dark fruit juices
- Tomato-based sauces
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
- White wine contains compounds that dissolve tooth enamel and increase the likelihood of teeth becoming stained.
- Sugar and sweets in drinks create bacteria, which produce pigments that cause teeth to become discolored.
The best way to prevent staining is to rinse your mouth with water after consuming these foods and drinks, followed by brushing your teeth 30 minutes later or using a straw to drink them. Adding milk to tea or coffee helps minimize staining, and switching to green or herbal teas may improve the situation.
Regular Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings help maintain a white smile by eliminating plaque, tartar, and surface stains. Hygienists also provide scaling and polishing services to prevent stains from becoming permanent.
Some clinics offer air polishing, a gentle and effective stain-removal process. If you regularly experience staining, you need professional cleanings more often than the recommended six-month schedule. Your dentist will determine which cleaning frequency best suits your needs.
Quitting Smoking
Tar and nicotine from smoking result in hard-to-remove yellow and brown stains that penetrate the porous enamel. Nicotine becomes yellow-colored after oxygen exposure, while tar is a dark material naturally.
Plaque buildup and decreased blood flow to the gums make smoking lead to severe oral discoloration and health complications. When you stop smoking, you prevent new tooth staining and improve your oral health, resulting in better and longer-lasting effects from teeth whitening treatments.
Find Teeth Whitening Services Near Me
A successful teeth whitening process requires selecting appropriate whitening methods, proper oral hygiene practices, and making mindful lifestyle choices. The process also depends on consistently using professional treatments, at-home kits, or natural remedies. Your whitening results will last longer when you undergo regular dental cleanings and avoid smoking and other staining food and beverages. If unsure which option suits you, consult a dentist for personalized guidance. Washington Dental, serving in Carson, Los Angeles, Lomita, and Torrance, is here to help. Contact us today at 310-217-1507 to schedule an appointment.
