At-Home Teeth Whitening – Custom Tray Whitening
Impressions are taken of your teeth in the dental office and custom bleaching trays are made from those impressions. You will be given professional-strength whitening gel only available from your dentist. Unlike over-the-counter whitening strips, this gel is more potent and the trays are custom made so the bleach stays on your teeth and does not damage your gums. You wear the trays daily for 10-14 days (~1 hr/day), and results can be evident in as little as 3-5 days in some cases
Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips are available over-the-counter at your local grocery or pharmacy and are applied two times per day for 1-2 weeks at a time. While they can give you subtle results, they are not as effective as other options. They can also cause increased sensitivity since the universal strips allow bleach to get on your gums.
Whitening Toothpaste and Mouthwash
Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash are the least expensive whitening option on the market. These products utilize mild abrasives to help remove surface stains. Unlike professional whitening agents, whitening toothpaste and mouthwash will not lighten the actual shade of the tooth.