Dental Whitening Systems - What Are The Real Facts?

Most people want whiter, brighter teeth but do not want to pay the outrageous prices charged by dental professionals. So they turn to a dental whitening system such as Crest White Strips or another commercial grade tooth bleaching system. But are these home kits actually better than going to a dentist for their professional teeth whitening techniques? Are they safe to use at home if you have a dental problem? Fortunately there are some answers to these questions.

A dental whitening system works by applying a gel directly to the surface of each tooth. In the early days of seeking whiter teeth, a person would order a home kit that could potentially do more harm than good. First, you had to shape the plastic tray into a mold of your teeth. The tray would be worn overnight. The problem was that the active ingredient in the gel was effective for only an hour or two, and the gel would be swallowed during the night. This sometimes caused irritation of the gums and the throat.

Items such as Crest White Strips have eliminated the need for the bulky whitening trays and bleach that stayed on overnight. These whitening strips are applied to the teeth and then left on for fifteen to thirty minutes twice a day. Some of the new lines are applied only at night. The reason is that most people, after brushing their teeth at night, do not eat or drink anything until they wake in the morning, therefore leaving the whitening gel on the tooth surface longer.

Teeth whitening kits also are produced in generic versions such as Equate found in Wal-Mart. Truth be told, they are just as effective as their brand name counterparts. If you are unsure if the kit is of the same quality as Crest, then take a look at the ingredients list. Chances are the active ingredients are the same for both brands and you may actually save a few dollars.

A dental whitening system may not be the best idea if you have problems with the enamel on your teeth. The gel can cause sensitivity and pain. It may also irritate your gums and produce an allergic reaction. The majority of adults do not have problems with using the whitening kits and you may not either. You can always talk with your dentist about a tooth whitening product that he or she recommends based on your dental history.

To learn more go to Berkeley Teeth Whitening and at Teeth Whitening In Pennsylvania