There are a variety of ways for you to whiten your teeth. You can buy a ready to use system or you can visit your dentist for professional treatments. Not all teeth whitening procedures however are for you. You need to find a good and effective system for optimum results.

At Home Procedures

Do-it-yourself or over the counter whitening products are often very popular because they are very convenient to use and a lot cheaper than professional teeth whitening procedures performed at the dentist's office. The disadvantage to some of these products is that the whitening effect does not always last very long.

There is a wide range of products available. You can go for a simple whitening toothpaste or you can also opt for gel products and whitening strips. One popular procedure is the over the counter tray whitening system. You can buy a tray with a whitening agent. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamine peroxide is applied on the tray which in turn is placed over the teeth for a few minutes.

In Office Dental Procedures

Although there are many affordable products, teeth whitening procedures performed by dentists are still recommended. Having a dentist perform the procedure will ensure both the safety of the patient and the effectiveness of the product. These procedures however would of course cost more than ready to use systems. There are two main dentist assisted teeth whitening procedures.

1. Dentists also perform the tray procedure. There is a difference between a dentist performed procedure and a ready to use package. Dentists normally assess a person's dental condition first before making a custom made tray for the patient. A customized tray will ensure the accuracy of fitness which is something you may not always get from an over the counter product. Like its cheaper counterpart, a dentist made tray is used with a peroxide based whitening agent.
2. Of all the teeth whitening procedures the laser procedure is perhaps the most effective, longest lasting and most expensive. In this procedure, the dentist will apply a bleaching substance on your teeth and will use a controlled laser light to assist or enhance the bleaching effect. The tissues of your mouth and gums are protected by a special device or substance.

Dangers

It is often said that procedures performed by expert dentists are rarely ever dangerous. Teeth whitening becomes dangerous when people overuse or misuse over the counter products in the hope that they can whiten their teeth faster. Using a product incorrectly could damage the teeth, gums and oral tissues. This can result in extreme sensitivity as well as the loss of teeth. Always remember to use a product only as indicated.

Not Recommended For

For some people, teeth whitening is not an advisable procedure. Common sense would tell you that you shouldn't use bleaching agents if you are pregnant or have allergies. You should also probably avoid whitening if you have gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis. Chemical whitening agents, even those contained in common toothpastes, may irritate your gums and tissues and worsen your condition. You may have to ask your dentist to treat your condition first before getting your teeth whitened.