DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the most effective way to whiten teeth? Is it worth it to pay the extra expense for treatment from a dentist, or do the over-the-counter options work just as well? Are they safe for your teeth?
ANSWER: There are quite a few choices available if you want to whiten your teeth. The approved products — both those you can buy at drugstores and those available from your dentist — are safe. Just make sure you follow the directions carefully. Many teeth whiteners are quite effective, particularly if you use them for an extended period of time. If cost is a concern, try the over-the-counter options first. If those don’t give you the results you want, then talk to your dentist about other choices he or she offers.
One of the simplest options is whitening toothpaste. It whitens teeth by removing surface stains, such as those caused by drinking coffee or smoking. Some whitening toothpastes contain the chemical blue covarine. It stays on the surface of the teeth and makes them appear less yellow.
When used twice a day, whitening toothpaste takes about two to six weeks to make teeth appear whiter. Whitening toothpaste that contains blue covarine can have an immediate effect. The effects of whitening toothpaste usually are not dramatic. It can’t change the natural color of your teeth or lighten a stain that goes deeper than a tooth’s surface.
Many of the other products you can buy without a prescription, such as whitening strips, involve bleaching your teeth. They are generally safe and often provide better results than just using whitening toothpaste.
If you would like your teeth to be whiter than can be achieved with these products, several choices are available from a dentist. These whitening methods tend to be more effective and last longer than nonprescription products, but they are also more expensive.
One possibility many dentists offer is an at-home treatment. The dentist makes an impression of your teeth and uses it to create a tray in which you place a solution that contains a bleaching agent called carbamide peroxide. You wear the tray on your teeth at night. After about two weeks, many people see a significant difference in the whiteness of their teeth. The results usually last about two years.
The other choice is a treatment performed in the dentist’s office. This typically involves using a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth. The whitening can often be accomplished in a series of about four visits to your dentist, with the appointments usually lasting less than 30 minutes. One drawback is that the solution can burn your gums, so your dentist needs to carefully protect your gums with a barrier during the procedure.
Another risk associated with all bleaching options is that they can make your teeth more sensitive. Many manufacturers have tried to minimize this problem, though, by adding substances such as potassium nitrate and fluoride to their products that help minimize tooth sensitivity.
It is important to understand that none of the teeth whitening options currently available are permanent. Over time, food and drink, along with the natural process of aging, will cause your teeth to darken again. That means whatever whitening method you choose, eventually you will need to repeat the process if you want to maintain the whiteness of your teeth long-term. — Phillip Sheridan, D.D.S., Dental Specialties, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
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FAQs
Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.
Is there anything that really works to whiten teeth? ›
Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.
What do most dentists use for teeth whitening? ›
Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues. Temporary tooth sensitivity and gingival inflammation are the most common adverse effects of vital tooth whitening.
Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›
Though teeth whitening is a noninvasive dental procedure, at-home kits, even when used by the average healthy patient, can come with risks and side effects. Tooth sensitivity, adverse reactions to dubious ingredients, and a poorly done or inconsistent job of teeth whitening can result.
What is the number 1 recommended teeth whitening? ›
Opalascence Go Prefilled Trays wins our pick for best teeth whitening trays. A whitening tray can offer a happy medium between white strips and an LED device, typically with a more comfortable and sometimes more effective output.
What is the least damaging way to whiten your teeth? ›
Here are a few to consider: Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.
How to whiten teeth over 60? ›
Whitening yellowing teeth can be achieved through the use of bleaching trays or whitening toothpaste. Most whitening toothpaste brands have low-concentration bleach in them. This approach can work but takes an extended period of time to show a change in the color of your teeth.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.
What is the most powerful way to whiten teeth? ›
Professional teeth whitening is usually the most effective option, but it is also more expensive than at-home teeth whitening kits. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are typically safe and effective, but they may take longer to produce results than professional teeth whitening treatments.
What do dental hygienists use to whiten teeth? ›
Hydrogen Peroxide: Opalescence Boost
For tooth discoloration that's not due to staining, whitening needs to penetrate the surface of your teeth to change the color. Your dentist near you use some form of a chemical called hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.
Yes, teeth whitening works if carried out by a trained dental professional. Whitening uses a peroxide-based gel to lighten the teeth.
What are the side effects of hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening? ›
The most commonly observed clinical effects of treatments with tooth whiteners include mild tooth hypersensitivity to temperature changes and irritation of oral mucosa. Some patients have also reported burning palate, throat and gingiva.
Who Cannot get teeth whitening? ›
Your dentist will advise you whether whitening is right for you. It may be that teeth whitening isn't suitable, for example if you have gum disease or crowns.
Who shouldn't get their teeth whitened? ›
People who have restorations such as fillings, implants, crowns and dental bridges. Children under 16 years of age. Patients with periodontal disease, tooth decay, cavities and exposed roots. People who are allergic to teeth bleaching whitening agents like peroxide.
Who is not a candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Whitening is not recommended for people who experience chronic sensitivity, periodontal disease, oral cancer, or excessively worn and damaged enamel. Teeth that appear translucent may worsen with each whitening application and should be discontinued upon notice.
Is there a teeth whitening that doesn't harm teeth? ›
- 5 Teeth Whitening Products Designed for Sensitive Teeth.
- Crest 3D White Whitestrips Gentle Routine Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
- Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste. ...
- Oral Essentials Lumineux Whitening Kit. ...
- TrueWhite Teeth Whitening Pen. ...
- In-Office Professional Whitening Treatments. ...
- 115 Broadstreet Rd Suite C,
Professional Teeth Whitening. We've learned that at-home treatments may not last as long as we want them to and results may take more effort and time. So, if you want instant pearly whites that will last longer and with minimal effort, professional teeth whitening is the way to go!
Is laser teeth whitening better than bleaching? ›
Laser whitening treatment is a more modern solution for whitening the teeth. Laser treatments offer customers whiter teeth in a short amount of time compared to other bleaching options. While it is safe and quick, it can be expensive. Contrary to popular belief, the laser doesn't actually do the cleaning.
