As people age, it is not uncommon for teeth to become darker. There are many reasons for this including staining from tobacco, food and coffee as well as changes to the enamel and tooth structure that occur over time. Whatever it is that causes the darkening, many people just want their bright white smile back. Teeth whitening, often called teeth bleaching, can often bring back that whiter smile.
Whitening can be done at home or professionally by a cosmetic dentist. Of course, teeth bleaching done in the office is going to be much more expensive than doing it at home.
The results of having teeth bleaching done by a dentist are not necessarily better, just faster. Some dentists can provide dramatic whitening results in just one visit. One way they can do so is through the use of lasers. Lasers are used to speed up the effectiveness of the whitening agent so what may take 12 treatments over as many days at home can be done in an hour at the office.
But for those who don’t require results in one visit, the savings of teeth bleaching at home is often the best choice. Strips or trays tend to be more effective than whitening pens as they allow the whitening agent to be in direct contact with the teeth for a longer period of time.
If you do opt to try teeth whitening at home rather than at the dentist’s office, be sure to look for a product that is endorsed by the American Dental Association. Note that if any of the following apply to you, you should visit your dentist before undertaking any teeth whitening measures:
So does teeth bleaching work? Absolutely! Whether one chooses an at-home method or leaves their teeth whitening in the hands of a professional, it is a quick and painless way to get a brighter smile and shave years off of your looks.
