Dull-colored tooth enamel is often what prompts someone to consider a whitening enhancement. Today's whitening products, when compared to the expensive option of veneers, are a favorable option because of availability and lower cost.
Consumer awareness of over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products has climbed in the last five years, with many consumers now using products at home, rather than opting for professional dental bleaching, a process that has been around since the mid-1980s.
The biggest difference between professionally dispensed and OTC whitening products is the level of concentration of peroxide, which is what actually bleaches tooth enamel (typically OTC is about 7%, while professional concentrations, according to the American Dental Association, are 10%, 16%, 22%). With lower concentrations some OTCs have difficulty with complete coverage (e.g. whitening strips’ inability to fully form to spaces between teeth or slippage during wear).
Whitening has become a big trend in the U.S. Across the country “smile spas” in major cities offer 1-hour/1-visit processes exclusively focused on teeth whitening. Central to the spa experience, these salons cater to the client’s total comfort during the process, offering TVs and headphones, relaxing environments and board-certified dentists to perform the whitening.
Touting the benefit of saving time, along with results of up to “14 shades whiter,” the BriteSmile Spas offer their own whitening guarantee, promoting their process as “simple...completed in just one visit.” BriteSmile also encourages patients to consult with their own dentist about their whitening services.
With the many types of whitening products available, a list of pros and cons can be helpful:
Whitening Pastes (average cost $1.50-$5)
- Pros = easy to use; traditional application
- Cons = will not bleach teeth; mild abrasives may be unsuitable for children
Retail Bleaching Trays (average cost $25-$100)
- Pros = home remedy; best combination of low-cost and efficiency among OTC products
- Cons = retail products often sit in warehouses for long periods before delivery to store, which may impact results; tooth sensitivity, lowered concentration of active ingredients, poor-fitting trays/mouthguard.
Custom-made Home Bleaching Kits (average cost $200-$500)
- Pros = fitted by dentist in office; better fit for better bleaching results
- Cons = temporary sensitivity or gum irritation getting used to product and mouthguard; usage times vary
Whitening Strips (average cost $20-$35)
- Pros = simple to use; can be done in as little as 5-minute intervals
- Cons = adherence is less than optimum; strips often slide and don't conform well to spaces between teeth; tooth/gum sensitivity; slimy feel in mouth
Brush-on Gels (average cost ($2 - $50)
- Pros = quick application
- Cons = rubs off with saliva; many contain alcohol which causes bad breath; will not whiten existing dental work
Rinses (average cost $5-$7)
- Pros = easy as mouthwash; less expensive than most gels and strips, fights bad breath
- Cons = contains alcohol; required one full minute of rinsing AM and PM; results begin over several weeks of use.
One caution about any type of whitening process: long-term results, even good ones, will be affected by lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption, medications and tobacco use, as well as regular dental care and cleaning. As well, irregular whitening sometimes happens. But with careful use, whitening and brightening products can bring about a revved up smile. And a beautiful smile often helps create a greater degree of confidence in business and social situation.
For related information, read the article Dental Veneers Improve Your Smile
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