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You may have been gifted perfect pearly whites when you were an infant (and didn’t even appreciate it), but those days are long gone. Like the rest of your body, teeth age, and they show it by turning yellow, a process called “intrinsic aging.” If you’re a coffee or wine drinker or a smoker, your teeth may age faster, resulting in “extrinsic color.”
There are plenty of options to restore your teeth to their whitest, from professional dental treatments (starting at about $500) to over-the-counter options for as little as $15. But there are pros and cons to each method.
Ingredients: Store-bought vs. Professional Whitening
The biggest difference between store-bought and in-office dental whitening is the amount of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, says Dr. Fadi Swaida, a dentist at Bond Street Dental in Toronto. “Regulations exist for store-bought products that lower the percentage of hydrogen peroxide, while professional dental products are allowed more because dentists are trained to use them safely.”
The peroxide ingredients go beyond surface-level cleaning; they trigger a chemical reaction that changes the tooth’s intrinsic color. Carbamide peroxide is a compound derived from hydrogen peroxide and urea (a white, odorless powder), making it roughly a third as potent as hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide gradually releases hydrogen peroxide at a slower rate, and it can be less aggressive, minimizing the risk of sensitivity (translation: look for products with carbamide peroxide rather than hydrogen peroxide if you have sensitive teeth), says Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston.
To get the most from your whitener, check the peroxide levels, she says. Ideally, they should be between 3 percent and, at most, 20 percent.
Options
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Dr. Khan strongly recommends using desensitizing toothpaste during your whitening treatment. They often contain potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride or strontium chloride to help with sensitivity. Potassium nitrate works by soothing the nerve fibers in your teeth, blocking the transmission of pain from your teeth to your brain. Stannous fluoride inhibits fluid movement in the dentinal tubules and lowers nerve stimulation. Strontium chloride blocks pain signals to the nerve of the tooth. Be aware, however, that whitening products don’t work on dental restorations (composite fillings, crowns, bridges or implants).
Whitening Toothpaste
Dr. Kahn says whitening toothpaste removes extrinsic stains with mild abrasives, including activated charcoal, baking soda, silica, dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. The downside: These ingredients can lead to enamel wear, which causes sensitivity and affects overall aesthetics due to their abrasive nature, making your teeth appear yellow. If you use whitening toothpaste, Dr. Khan recommends looking for products with a low Relative Dentin Abrasivity value (RDA), which ranges from 0 to 70. You should also choose a toothpaste with fluoride or hydroxyapatite to help strengthen and remineralize your teeth.
“Toothpaste will not give you instant whitening results compared with whitening strips or in-office whitening, says Dr. Khan. “Those contain a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the duration of the agent being on your teeth is longer, compared to toothpaste.”
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are effective because they adhere to teeth and are constantly in contact with them. The protective nature of the strip is likely to keep the whitening product on the teeth before it’s diluted or washed away by saliva, says Dr. Jandra Korb, Oklahoma-based dental director for DentaQuest, a dental insurance provider.
Popular recommended brands include Crest 3D, Lumineux and Colgate. Many, including Crest White Strips, have varying amounts of hydrogen peroxide. For example, Crest White Strips have a 5.25 percent hydrogen peroxide in their sensitive version and up to 14 percent in the Crest White Strips Supreme version. If you suffer from sensitivity, Dr. Khan recommends using a lower concentration plus a desensitizing toothpaste and seeing if you can tolerate it before working your way up to a higher concentration if necessary. Avoid strips containing chlorine dioxide, as these can erode your tooth enamel.
Whitening Trays
You can get these tailored by dental professionals to fit your mouth perfectly, or you can use store-bought trays. Brands like Opalescence offer trays with varying hydrogen peroxide levels ranging from 10 percent to 15 percent and 35 percent carbamide peroxide. The higher the percentage, the more sensitivity you may encounter, so try to stick with 10 percent hydrogen peroxide or less for at-home kits.
Professional Whitening
If you want fast and efficient results, this might be your best bet. A concentration of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide (20-43 percent) is applied to your teeth. These high-concentration peroxide gels are activated with a polymerization light and applied multiple times for the best results
Results Vary
Don’t expect white teeth for the rest of your life, says Dr. Khan. Whitening strips typically last up to six months, while in-office whitening can last up to three years. Results may last longer if you avoid foods that stain your teeth for 48 hours post-treatment and if you drink from a straw.
What do YOU do to have whiter teeth? Let us know in the comments below.
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