It is quite common for someone to look in the mirror and not be happy with the way their teeth look. They may not be straight, some may be missing, but the most common characteristic of someone's teeth that may make then unhappy is discoloration.
What you consume in your diet, your smoking habits, your use of antibiotics, and even your age can cause staining that changes the color of your teeth from brilliant white to a dull yellow or brown.
A wonderful thing is that we live in a time where changing the color of your teeth is easy. Sure, you can go to a dentist and pay an arm and a leg for his/her services. But you don't have to. With some simple tooth whitening products, you can be on your way to a brighter, whiter smile in no time.
Tooth whitening products come in various forms, ranging from whitening toothpastes to entire tooth whitening systems.
Whitening toothpastes are interesting products since they don't contain the same type of ingredients that are found in tooth whitening systems. When compared to other, regular toothpastes, whitening toothpastes contain polishing agents that are designed to remove deep tooth stains. However, even though they are perhaps the most convenient of the tooth whitening products, they don't do as good a job as other products.
The most popular tooth whitening products are entire systems that are commonly used by dentists. Nowadays, with systems such as Zoom and Britesmile, these systems are now available in at-home versions. They are easy to use and very effective.
There are differences between the various at-home tooth whitening products. However, there are also common components found within them.
At-home tooth whitening systems often contain a tooth whitening gel and also a mouth tray that is designed to be worn by the user. The gel, similar to those used by dentists, contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These peroxides are the active ingredient that are found within the gel.
The mouth tray is what holds the tooth whitening gel. A syringe is usually used to apply the gel to the tray. The tray containing the gel is then inserted into the mouth and worn over various periods of time.
Choosing a kit for you can be hard. There are numerous companies that manufacture them, and the components they contain are often similar. But there are other alternatives you can also consider.
Though these kits have proven to be popular, the emergence of other at-home, tooth whitening products are giving them a run for their money.
Those who don't have the time to wait for the effects of a tray to take place, or don't have the time to use them as often as recommended, now have options. Tooth whitening products, such as a formula that can be painted directly on to the tooth, or even strips, are very convenient and also very effective.
You should consult your doctor prior to using tooth whitening products. To learn more information on a product before using, carefully read the packaging, or visit the manufacturer's website.