A great smile can make all the difference, whether you’re at a job interview or taking a hot date out on the town. But some of us have discolored teeth or stains that we just can’t seem to get rid of, and it makes it hard to feel confident about showing off our pearly whites. Thankfully, you don’t have to keep your teeth dirty any longer — in this guide to the top ten teeth whitening near me, we look at the different options available so you can choose one that works best for you.
– In-office whitening
Most people try teeth whitening in a dentist’s office. That’s because dentists have all of the necessary tools, like lasers, syringes and gauze, to perform an in-office treatment. The process is almost always safe and effective—but it isn’t cheap. In fact, most people pay several hundred dollars for professional teeth whitening during a single visit. If you have dental insurance that covers whitening treatments, you might be able to recoup some of those costs—but even with dental insurance coverage, your out-of-pocket expense will usually be between $100 and $200 per treatment session.
On top of that, many dentists charge patients on a recurring basis; they might demand six or more follow-up visits to ensure thorough results. When used correctly and paired with best practices at home (like avoiding dark-colored beverages), in-office whitening can produce lasting results. But most people aren’t willing to commit hundreds of dollars each year just to keep their smiles bright enough for work. Fortunately, there are less expensive options available.
– Over-the-counter whiteners
These products typically contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, two bleaching agents. These are safe to use at home, but it’s important to follow instructions carefully and consult a dentist if you notice any gum irritation. Use a soft toothbrush, like Colgate® 360°®, while your teeth are sensitive after whitening—this way you won’t accidentally scrape off your new enamel! If you’re looking for an alternative to strips and brushes, try Crest® 3D White BrillianceTM Vivid Stain Defense Toothpaste: it helps brighten your teeth by removing surface stains with a gentle baking soda formula.
The Advanced SealTM technology also helps strengthen your tooth enamel from decay-causing acids for long-lasting results. What Is Scaler? A dental scaler is one of many instruments used by dentists during dental procedures. Scaling removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) on your teeth; without regular scaling, it can harden into calculus that takes more effort to remove. While there are many types of dental instruments designed for different purposes—such as shaping, polishing, cutting or scraping—dental scalers come in just one size: small. While that might seem counterintuitive when scaling is about removing excess material from teeth, these tools have been designed with efficiency in mind and actually allow dentists to scale entire mouths quickly so they can get back to other procedures.
– Professional whitening
Top dental practices offer in-office whitening to their patients. These sessions, typically one hour long, use special bleaching agents that are much stronger than what you can buy over-the-counter (OTC). And while a lot of professionals say they’re great for treating extreme cases of yellowing or staining, they won’t whiten your teeth as effectively as getting your own custom tray at home. They also tend to be extremely expensive and require you to book an appointment (and pay) every time you want to improve your smile. No thanks!
I think that it’s important to note here – I am not against using strong tooth whiteners if you really need them. But it’s important to understand what is happening with your teeth and how they should feel when everything is working properly. Also – most people who have healthy teeth don’t need any sort of professional treatment, because they’ve never had cavities or needed any sort of drilling/filling/work done before. It’s just way too easy to end up with damaged enamel if you get a professional treatment when there isn’t anything wrong with your mouth otherwise.
– Natural whiteners
Not everyone is looking for Hollywood teeth. Some of us just want a few shades lighter. Natural whiteners, like baking soda and lemon juice, can do just that while also helping remove surface stains. Toothpaste: When your teeth are really messed up, you need something strong to get out all those tough stains. Toothpaste is not a miracle cure, but it can help with milder stains in addition to keeping your pearly whites pearly white. Professional tooth bleaching: Most people don’t have access to professional-strength solutions for teeth whitening at home; but if you have money or good dental insurance (or both), professional tooth bleaching might be worth investigating.
This solution provides long-lasting results and gives an extremely bright smile. However, it has some potential side effects so make sure you talk to your dentist before attempting anything on your own. Invisalign®: While Invisalign® doesn’t necessarily provide permanent teeth whitening results, they do work as an alternative solution when traditional braces aren’t quite right for a particular patient. Essentially made of clear plastic aligners (which replace metal brackets) paired with ultraviolet light treatment sessions—this treatment provides fast painless results without surgery. However these benefits come at a steep price. Make sure to schedule visits after normal business hours so you can get them at a cheaper rate!
– What is the best teeth whitener?
This is one of those questions that can be difficult to answer because what works for one person may not work for another. A tooth whitener’s effectiveness will depend on multiple factors, including your current teeth whiteness, what kind of stains you want to remove, how sensitive your teeth are and how much time you want to devote. If it’s not a professional treatment like laser whitening or carbamide peroxide gel, it’s a good idea to give each product plenty of time before deciding if it works for you. Otherwise you might end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on treatments that don’t work—and remember: That value could go toward your real estate taxes instead!
– Can I get a whiter smile naturally?
Natural teeth whitening is a totally non-invasive way to get a brighter smile, but it doesn’t always work as well. If you have good teeth and your goal is to get them even whiter, natural methods are probably your best bet—they’re gentle on enamel and won’t harm your smile like harsh chemicals can. Still, most toothpastes that contain ingredients like baking soda and peroxide will help you maintain your brightness over time. Make sure to brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and replace your regular toothbrush every three months or so. Toothbrushes can harbor bacteria that contribute to plaque buildup if they’re not cared for properly.
– Home remedies for whiter teeth
do they work? Whitening your teeth at home is a great way to get noticeable results without spending a lot of money on professional treatments. There are many DIY home remedies for whiter teeth you can try, but how well do they really work? If you’re curious about whitening your teeth at home, here’s what you need to know before diving in.
– Learn more about teeth whiteners
What are they? Where can I buy them? How do they work? There are many forms of teeth whiteners available over-the-counter. To whiten teeth effectively, choose a product containing a proven active ingredient like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Those ingredients react with saliva to form a gel that penetrates into teeth and breaks down stains from food and other sources. Many products also contain abrasives to help slough off surface stains, as well as foaming agents for additional cleansing power. (See our top picks for best teeth whitener in 2016.) In addition to over-the-counter tooth whiteners, there are several in-office treatments available.
