This post from Falls Pointe Dental in Raleigh is for those of you who want whiter teeth. If you walk down the oral care aisle at the grocery store, you can’t help notice all the products that claim to whiten your teeth. How effective are they?
Not so long ago, the only over-the-counter tooth whitening options were toothpastes and whitening strips. Now there are many options.
Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, freshen breath and may help remove plaque. They also contain tooth-whitening ingredients not found in mouthwashes. Product directions instruct users to take a mouthful and swish it around on your teeth. Though this method is easy, many users never notice a lightening of their teeth. This is probably because the rinse does not touch your teeth long enough to truly whiten them.
Whitening Strips
The whitening strips you can buy in grocery stores have a couple of drawbacks. Though they contain a bleaching agent, it is much less potent than those used in dental offices. Another issue is that they do not whiten between teeth because the strips only touch the front surface. Though it is possible to remove stains, it can take months to see any whitening. By that point, you have probably spent more money than you would have if you’d have chosen the professional system at your dental practice.
Teeth Whitening Gels
Whitening gels are painted onto teeth with a small brush. One problem with whitening gels is that they only stick to dry teeth. If any saliva gets on the teeth during treatment, the gel is more likely to slide off.
If you are serious about dramatically whitening your teeth, the safest, quickest, and the most cost-effective system is at your dental office.
At Falls Pointe Dental in Raleigh, we offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today.