Tooth Whitening Systems

Stains on our teeth can put a dent in the brightness of our smile. In fact, being self conscious about our smile can affect how we feel on a daily basis. There's no need to suffer with teeth that are yellow and discolored though. Many tooth whitening systems are now available that can transform the way our teeth look in a matter of minutes or hours.

For very little outlay you can have the equivalent of a very expensive dentist's treatment. What's more, you can repeat the treatment on your own at home whenever it's needed. Some of the products involve using a gel on your teeth, and others require a tray in which you mix a formula that will stay on your teeth for a matter of hours.

A Gentle Effect

If you would prefer a more gradual effect, rather than dealing with bleaching agents on your teeth, you may opt to use a whitening toothpaste instead. Whitening toothpaste can also be used to preserve the effects of a bleaching system so that you don't need to do it so often. Although the makers of some whitening systems claim that they are as gentle to your teeth as water, some of us would prefer to exercise caution where bleaching agents are concerned.

Be aware that if your teeth are yellow due to antibiotic use (such as with the tetracyclines), or from too much fluoride (fluorosis), then bleaching systems aren't going to give you the results you're looking for. In these cases the staining extends right through the tooth, instead of just the surface. If this is the situation, then you should consult with your dentist for other options.