If you have visited the toothpaste aisle at your Royal Oak grocery store, you have probably noticed dozens of products that claim to whiten your teeth. A few years ago, the only over-the-counter tooth whitening options were whitening toothpastes and Crest Whitestrips. Now there is a wide variety of options.
Whitening Rinses
Take whitening rinses, for example. They are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, freshen breath and may help remove plaque. Whitening rinses also contain tooth-whitening ingredients not found in mouthwashes. Manufacturers advise taking a mouthful of the rinse and letting it slosh around on your teeth for one minute twice a day.
Though this method is manageable, 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 problem 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 whitening your teeth, the most effective way is professional whitening, like what you get at Gustafson Morningstar Dentistry in Royal Oak. We offer our patients Opalescence, a professional-grade whitening system you do at home. We also offer other cosmetic and general dentistry services. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Gustafson Morningstar Dentistry:
248-541-8770
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
940 E 11 Mile Rd
Royal Oak, Michigan
48067
