Best Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Products

There are more over the counter teeth whitening products and home remedies then we can ever be aware of, however, some of the most common are these:

Whitening Strips – These strips are over the counter clear strips that you either add a bit of whitening gel to or just put them on right over your teeth depending on which ones you have purchased. The key benefit of these strips is that they are easy to use and do not need to be left on your teeth for very long, additionally it does not take much prior experience with using products such as these to learn how to do it. The weakness of whitening strips is that they are a little too convinent and easy to use, prompting people who do not see the results that they are looking for right away to keep applying the strips without being aware of the fact that doing so may damage your tooth enamel and result in more dental hassles then those pearly whites are worth. The concentration of the bleaching agent in these strips tends to be relatively low when compared to professional grade dental whitening services but for many people this product is the perfect low maintance solution to their needs.

Trays – I have only included dental trays here because they sit on both sides of the fence – what the hell does that mean you ask? These trays are available for purchase online or at your dentist’s office making it an attractive prospect for anybody. Trays come in a kit that includes things such as whitening gels and a mold you must use to get the perfect imprint of your teeth before you can begin. The benefits of course include the fact that you get such a sophisticated system available at your finger tips to use in the luxury and comfort of your own home, but that could just as easily become a weakness because over use can lead to all kinds of nasty things such as enamel decay. Once you take the mold of your teeth (many kits require you to send the molding out to be set or hardened whereby they will then send it back to you for your use) you are ready to begin. Nothing beats having a custom fit, perfectly balanced and completely for your own unique usage tool that can serve you. After all, nothing knows your own teeth better then your own teeth, and that is where the beauty of this shines through. It is simple enough to apply the gel or whatever else whitening solution they give you, just leave it in for the amount of time they specify and take it out. The only real apparent weakness here is that repeating this process without being in reason and taking into consideration the potentially damaging effects of the bleach agent can leave your teeth feeling painful and sore.
The most effective teeth whitening products are the ones used as intended to be used!

Acidic Foods – This is the “latest and greatest” craze that originated from a handful of celebrities appearing on talk shows and stating that they use things such as strawberries and lemons to whiten their teeth. Cutting straight to the case, yes, this does work, because it strips calcium from the teeth while doing a few other things as well but this is unhealthy for the overall health of your teeth. The sugars from these highly acid foods can soften the enamel and you can end up brushing it away if you find yourself brushing too soon after applying the food. Over time I just cannot personally see the benefit of doing this as all of that sugar is bound to catch up with you some time or another.

The best teeth whitening product is always going to be the one that works for you. With the help and guidance of your dentist, experimenting with a few different solutions is bound to turn up the best result for you. One of the best ways to find out what works for you is feeling out different teeth whitening product reviews and see what is working for other people and what health risks are associated with it.

The most important thing to understand about any teeth whitening product is that they are not all created equally, and they will not all work equally. Having the right mindset and expectations in place as well as asking yourself if your expectations for your final result are realistic should be considered. Some people, no matter how hard they try, will just never have blindly white teeth because of their genetics. Every trick in the book will not work on these people, and if they begin to see any degree of success with one method, it will quickly begin to fade away. The top teeth whitening products available will do no justice to these people, however, there is still hope.

The second most important thing you can do is understand that you might not be doomed yet as some people just respond different to various methods. Some people might find that whitening strips are all they need for luminous white teeth while other need to have laser whitening done every 3 to 6 months continuously. It can be tempting to want to go out and try every method available, but remember that your teeth have something called enamel that can be damaged either severely or beyond repair as a result of excessive teeth whitening practices. Before you begin using any teeth whitening product or regime, you should consult with your dentist on the appropriate time frames of usage on each product which he can easily conclude for you based upon your history of using other different whitening products.

The best teeth whitening products are going to be the ones that give you the results you want, and not anybody else. It can be tempting to try all of the newest methods and celebrity tricks but keeping a firm grounding and finding out information either from your dentist or teeth whitening product reviews can save you a lot of money and a lot of teeth in the long run. No matter how bright or white you can get your teeth to become it will not matter if the health of those teeth is comprised or if you end up needed dentures as a result of destroying the enamel on your teeth.

Remember, it is always best to compare teeth whitening products and discuss any plans to change or add anything to your routine with your dentist. One of the most overlooked ways to achieve those pearly whites you are looking for is a combination of home and professional whitening care; all of this begins at home with a good, solid oral hygeine plan and brushing habits with good whitening toothpaste.

Teeth Whitening Products with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the oldest remedies in the books when it comes to teeth whitening. Studies have shown that use of a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution over the period of a few years once or twice a day can improve the quality of the teeth, gums and mouth as a whole without any serious side effects. Studies how shown, however, that use of this solution at a greater concentration (anything above 1.5%) or using the 1.5% solution more than twice daily can have significantly adverse side effects such as discoloration and sensitivity.

Most tooth pastes contain hydrogen peroxide as their whitening ingredient so due attention should be given not to over brush if you are using any products containing hydrogen peroxide as you can start to notice different amounts of irritation occur over time. If you are using these products and begin to experience any of these symptoms, discontinue usage and contact your dentist immediately. Studies have ideally shown that twice a day with a 1.5% solution is the safest way to use this product.

Teeth Whitening Products with Baking Soda

Baking soda does not have a bleaching effect on your teeth, instead it will help to remove bacteria, plaque and other debris from your teeth in order to restore the more natural shine they have. Baking soda has been used throughout history for this very reason but you should be warned that it is highly abrasive which can lead to damaging the enamel on your teeth if you brush with it too much or too rigorously.

Teeth Whitening Products – Whitening Strips

Whitening strips have become one of the most well known over the counter teeth whitening products on the market because of their relatively easy ability to apply and use. These strips, together with a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide, as applied to the teeth and left on for a period of about 30 to 60 minutes. The strips themselves are usually clear in color and work to oxidize the surface of enamel on the teeth.

These whitening strips should only be used as often and as long as directed by the instructions of the box as over using this product can cause the enamel of your teeth to become damaged or even non-repairable. Any process that bleaches your teeth should be judged with extreme caution as repeated use of these procedures can lead to sensitivity and irritation developing in your teeth and gums as it begins to erode the enamel of the teeth. Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth after applying this product has been shown to help alleviate any discomfort.

Another important thing to remember is that any product that directly effects the enamel of the teeth such as a bleaching agent has the potential to cause irritation, but not all people may experience this as it depends on the existing health and strength of your enamel. Acidic foods, coffee and soda can all break down your enamel as cause you to feel more pain during the bleaching process as the enamel can become porous. Studies have also shown that the whitening and bleaching agents can penetrate the enamel and effect the nerve endings deeper inside of the teeth.

Teeth Whitening Products – Trays

Trays are one of the best at home teeth whitening products available because they are also available and used in most dentist’s offices. While this type of a process is delicate, and just like any other process, has the potential to go wrong in any number of ways, many people have come to prefer it because it is also relatively simple to use. Trays require you or your dentist to make a mold out of your teeth in order for a whitening or bleaching agent to be applied specifically to the imprint of your mouth. For the at home kits, you usually need to take the mold yourself and then send it out to have the cast strengthened before it can be returned back to you for usage.

The apparent advantage to this method is that trays are a perfect match to your teeth and allow you to use a whitening agent, known as teeth whitening gel, in a very accurate and specific amount to compliment your custom fitted mold. Your dentist can perform this procedure for you but you can also purchase these kits online and do them yourself. If you doubt your ability to make this work on your own self, then you should most certainly see your dentist and have them do this for you. The price range of dental trays can vary widely. It is not uncommon for a dentist to charge upwards of $700 – $1,00 dollars while the same kits are available on the Internet for as low as $100. Care should be taken to make sure the kit is coming from a legitimate and reputable source or dealer.

Laser Teeth Whitening Products

The laser procedure is one that is generally only available from a dentist or other place licensed to perform it. This entire process uses a bleaching agent alongside a laser that works as an accelerator to rapidly whiten the teeth. Most places will advertise this as “light whitening” or some other derivative of the word “light” or “laser”. The real thing that is taking place here is that the laser is causing the whitening gel to oxidize the surface of the teeth rapidly.

This type of whitening can cause intensive amounts of pain or irritation, and again, it depends entirely and only on the strength of the enamel on your teeth as the time of the procedure. Excessive whitening with this method is not a great idea as studies have also shown that it can lead to rapid degeneration of the enamel of the teeth.

Teeth Whitening Products with Acid

One of the newest fads in teeth whitening is using fruits such as lemons, oranges and even strawberries to whitening your teeth. Anything that is acidic or contains a large amount of sugar can soften your enamel and if you brush too quickly after using or consuming them you can brush aware a portion of your tooth enamel. The reason why acidic foods work to whiten your teeth is because they strip them of essential minerals such as calcium that are responsible and necessary for their own overall health. Using large amounts of acidic foods to whiten your teeth is one of the easiest way to cause decay, cavities and other dental nightmares. Looking into some other professional teeth whitening products is much more advisable.

The best teeth whitening product is going to be the one that works best for you. Different people see different results with all of these methods. It is best to keep in mind that some individual’s teeth will just never become white, no matter what method they use because of the genetic hand that they have been dealt. It is all too easy to go out and hastily try all of these different ways at first but remember that serious damage can be done to your teeth that is much worse then not having them as white as you want them to be if you are not careful with how aggressively you use these procedures.