There are many ways to whiten the teeth—from whitening toothpastes, products that remove surface stains and light-activated whitening techniques in a dentist’s office.  Of course, the cost is very different as well.  Queen Creek AZ Dentist

All whitening techniques work in one of two ways:

1. Bleaching Procedures:  bleaching will remove deep and surface stains.  It changes your natural tooth color, anywhere from five to seven shades brighter.  There are office whitening options and at-home whitening options, but both will rely on bleaching.  The bleaches contain an active ingredient, usually carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.  This helps remove both deep and surface stains.  The cost will vary dramatically between different bleaching procedures. #martindental
   1. Light-activated:  Also called chairside bleaching, can cost $500 or more and the results are instant and often dramatic.  Usually after about 1 year of eating and drinking normally (coffee, tea, soft drinks) the teeth will become slightly discolored again and develop new stains.  Anytime you want whitening again, you will pay the normal fee.  Queen Creek AZ Dentist
   2. Custom Mouthpiece:  These are created by your dentist to use at your home.  This bleaching technique costs around $300 and is typically worn several hours a day or overnight for 2 weeks.  When new stains appear, you just wear the mouthpiece again for a night or two until the stains come off. 
   3. Over-the-counter:  products for whitening that are found in the drugstore include bite tray applications, whitening gels applied with a brush and whitening strips. #smilewithconfidence
2. Non-bleaching Procedures:  these work by physical or chemical actions to remove surface stains.  Any toothpaste will rely on mild abrasion to remove surface stains in between dental visits.  Whitening toothpastes have a special chemical or polishing agent in it that will help with additional stain removal.  When your teeth are professionally cleaned by a dentist or hygienist, abrasion and polishing will remove most external staining that is caused by food and tobacco. Queen Creek AZ Dentist