Wouldn’t you like to see lovely pearly whites when you look at your smile in the mirror every day? Don’t you think it would make you feel more confident? Better about yourself? Make you more of a go-getter? Are you worried about spending all that money on whitening your teeth? A home teeth whitening system can make it all happen for you and at a great low price. Now that’s something to smile about. But you’re wondering – which home teeth whitening system, right? There’s a wide variety, so go ahead and take your pick – all for under $30.
Amongst the array of systems to lighten the color of your teeth, the three broad categories are tray-based systems, whitening strips and paint-on liquids. The tray-based home teeth whitening system is the oldest method and used to be available exclusively through dentists earlier, at a cost of $300 to $500. The tray-based system consists of a mould and a whitening gel containing a peroxide-based bleaching agent. The mould is filled with the gel and fitted over the lower and upper teeth, overnight every night for four weeks. The home versions now available over-the-counter can cost as little as $15.
The bleach works through prolonged contact with the surface of the teeth. In this sense, a home teeth whitening system is similar to a professional in-office whitening system. Whitening strips work on the same principle, except that the bleach is coated on one side of the strip that adheres to upper and lower teeth. Strips are worn for 30 minutes twice a day every day or overnight every night for two to four weeks. A good brand costs $10 to $15 per pack. Paint-on liquids are brushed on with an applicator and absorbed into the teeth once dry. They are painted on twice daily or overnight for four weeks and cost $15.
When picking a home teeth whitening system, you need to consider your own convenience and the condition of your teeth. Ask yourself what suits your lifestyle and your personality best amongst all the methods? How white are your teeth? If your teeth are basically healthy but have turned yellow due to smoking or consuming food and beverages that leave stains, or just through the natural ageing process, a teeth whitening treatment can lighten your teeth by three shades. The results will last for around six months if you can stay off the habit. Watch out for tea, coffee and cigarettes.
Many magazines have tested these products and several experts have conducted studies on them. While there is much disparity in the results, one thing is certain – the consumer response to home teeth whitening is overwhelming. A large number of people report seeing several shades of whitening with these products and they are widely used. While a home teeth whitening system may stop short of miraculous, if your expectations are realistic, you can usually anticipate good results. So go ahead to the drugstore and be prepared for a million dollar smile for under $30.
