Everyone loves having a white smile, and people are willing to go to different lengths in order to get one. For some people, this means precisely watching the foods they eat, to prevent major stain-producers like coffee, red wine, and tea from yellowing their teeth. This is a very well-intentioned approach, but can lead to concern for your smile taking over your life.

If you want that white smile without the worry, teeth whitening is your best bet. However, there are tons of teeth whitening options, each of which is effective for varying lengths of time. To help you choose which is best for you, we’re going to review some of your best whitening treatment options.

Over-The-Counter Whitening Options

  • Toothpaste: Whitening toothpastes usually contain low-level abrasives, which help remove the surface stains from your teeth. This means that they remove existing stains, but don’t actively whiten the teeth, because they don’t contain bleach. Whitening toothpastes are one of the least effective whitening treatments, because they require everyday use simply to ‘tread water,’ or keep your teeth at a ‘stain-neutral’ level.

  • Whitening Strips: Whitening strips are practically invisible strips, coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel, applied to the teeth. Since they contain peroxide, for active whitening, it’s crucial to follow the product directions very carefully. You can expect to see changes within a few days and final results generally last about four months.

  • Whitening Rinses: Among the latest whitening products are whitening rinses. Like mouthwash, they freshen breath, and help reduce dental plaque, but additionally include active whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. It usually takes about 12 weeks to see results, and many experts say rinsing is less effective than whitening strips because the rinse is only in contact with the teeth about two minutes a day, compared to 30 minutes for strips.

Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment

Professional whitening procedures, undertaken by a dental professional like the Plancich Dental team, can effectively restore your smile, ending your worries over stained, dull, or discolored teeth. We perform these treatments in our office, and thanks to the skill and precision involved, these are considered the most effective and safest method of teeth whitening. When done properly, as we ensure it always is, one tooth whitening treatment can last as long as five years.

If you’re ready to brighten your smile, or are just looking for a regular oral health checkup, contact the team at Plancich Dental today! We’re here to help your smile, teeth, and oral health however we can.