Whitening: From At-Home to Zoom

One of the most common questions I get asked in the office is "Doc, how do I whiten my teeth" In this post, I'm going to explain the process of whitening and 3 options for you to get brighter whiter teeth: at home/over the counter, bleaching trays, and in-office whitening

Whitening or bleaching your teeth is in someways similar to bleaching your clothes. They both use a substance to break up accumulated stains. But while clothes are whitened by actual bleach (something I don't recommend you drink or rinse with) teeth are bleached by peroxide (either hydrogen or carbamide). How much stain is removed has to do with the concentration of the whitening agent and how long it stays active on the teeth. The trade-off is that stronger, longer whitening can also cause sensitivity. This sensitivity can be worsen by cavities and gum disease, so it's important that these issues be addressed before you whiten.

1. At home/over the counter (OTC) whitening

This category consists of products you can buy at the local store or online. This option is usually the cheapest but also contain the weakest whitening agents. They're good to maintain a smile between checkups or tidy up after a weekend of extra coffee and red wine. My favorite product in this space is Crest HD, which retails for about $15. Crest HD is a kit with 2 toothpastes, Step 1 fights cavities and Step 2 whitens the teeth. I initially thought using 2 pastes would be too cumbersome but the mouthfeel afterwards makes up for the extra effort. Crest also makes whitening strips which work fairly well if you're looking for something a bit stronger. I would stay away from DIY bleaching trays or whitening lights that are popularly sold online. Bleaching trays need to be custom fit to the teeth or else the whitening gel gets on the gums and causes irritation. Whitening lights don't do anything on their own to remove stain, rather they dry teeth out making them temporarily appear whiter.

This is what Santa's dentist gives out for stocking stuffers

2. Bleaching trays

This is my most recommended option for patients looking to whiten their teeth. Bleaching trays are thin plastic coverings that are custom made to fit a patient's mouth. The upfront investment is a few hundred dollars including your first batch of whitening gel, but once you have the trays, refill gel is around $50 and can last for several months. What I love about bleaching trays is that the experience can be tailored to your needs and be done in the comfort of your home. Bleaching gel comes in a variety of strengths so you can choose the one that gives you results without causing excess sensitivity. You can also choose how long you wear the trays. And because the trays are custom fit, you end up using less gel to cover the teeth and less material spills out onto the gums. You can also use the trays to deliver remineralizing pastes and fluoride products to help prevent cavities. Because of their control and versatility, I highly recommend bleaching trays to those who are seeking a whiter smile after years of stain accumulation.

Custom bleaching tray that perfectly fits over the teeth

3. In-office whitening (Zoom)

Here's where we pull out all the stops! In-office whitening like Zoom involves a patient spending 1-2 hours in the office using the tooth tanning bed! Your hygienist will first cover your gums with a block out material to protect them from the higher concentration whitening gel used for the session. This is professional strength whitener, stronger than what's available over the counter. The whitening gel will then be placed on the teeth and a light will shine directly on the mouth to accelerate the reaction. Unlike stand-alone whitening lights, the Zoom light works in conjunction with the whitening gel to enhance results. After the session is over, your hygienist will remove the spent gel and the block out material. Often, take home bleaching trays are provided as part of the package to continue the progress at home. This option requires the most investment (usually $600-700) but has the strongest and quickest results. If you need to look your best for an upcoming event, like a wedding or a job interview, and don't have time to use trays for several weeks to get results, Zoom fast tracks you to the finish line. The main drawback with it is you could experience sensitivity or gum irritation for a few days after.

They say the Zoom light has the same wattage as the Bat Signal!

Those are the 3 main options for whiter brighter teeth. Remember, whitening will not fix cavities and teeth can have staining inside deeper layers cannot be fixed by whitening alone. It's important to see your dentist so they can address your needs to get the results you desire. Schedule your exam and I'll help you decide which option is right for you.