Check out the best over-the-counter bleaching kits
Teeth whitening at home
You want to whiten your teeth at home and not go to the dentist or bleaching studio? And are you looking for the best way to implement it? But you do not know which is the right product for you? Entirely logical, after all, there are a variety of different solutions. Below I have also listed all the possibilities. You will find information about bleaching pens, Whitestrips, and Co., so you get a complete overview of all variants, and check out, which one is the best for you.
Note: Before you start whitening your teeth, it is always a good idea to visit the dentist for advice and to check whether you may be suffering from tooth decay or other things. If so, you should postpone your whitening plans a bit.
I recommend you to think about a professional cleaning in the beginning. It will help to remove all of your stains. You should make sure you're not eating any harmful foods as well.
Whitestrips & Co.
Basically, there are several other ways to lighten your tooth at home. They are slightly cheaper and also achieve good results in a short time. The main component of all variants is usually the whitening gel, which is applied for a specific duration depending on the product and later washed off.
The cost of drugstore items is usually at 10 $ - 40 $.
The following overviews contain bleaching products. The listing results from the manufacturer information and the reviews on the internet. I have not tried them in detail. To have the best possible success with these articles, i advice you e to have a professional tooth cleaning in advance, as already mentioned.
Stripes
Whitening StripsWith the Whitestrips, you can achieve eye-catching results very fast.
The strips are placed on your teeth twice a day for about 30 minutes and repeated for two weeks. This will cause your teeth to turn whiter for about half a year, after which you can repeat the procedure.
Pens/lacquers
The teeth whitening pen is the compact alternative that already contains the whitening gel and is applied to the teeth. The pen has a small brush on the front, with which you paint the gel on your tooth. After brushing your teeth thoroughly, wait 30-60 seconds. Repeat this once a day, and soon the first result will be visible.
The brushes usually have a nice size and just disappear into your pocket, so you'll always have it with you and get the most out of your time, even when you're on the go.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is something of a secret and at the same time a miracle weapon in the beauty world. Whether as a face mask, toothpaste or scrub, the activated charcoal is now used very successfully for various purpose. Teeth whitening with activated charcoal works in a similar way to baking soda: the wet toothbrush is dipped into the carbon powder, which then wipes your teeth for 1-2 minutes. However, activated charcoal should be much less abrasive and therefore not attack the enamel.
Home bleaching with a splint
For home bleaching, you need a dental splint that is worn overnight and filled with whitening gel.
This splint is made individually by the dentist or dental technician. Then you will receive a briefing from the dentist how to fill this splint with the whitening gel.
The preparation of the dental splint costs about 200 to 300 $, plus the costs for the whitening gel.
If you want something cheaper, you can buy a set with a shapeable splint including bleaching gel.
Sonic/ultrasonic tooth
brushThere are already so-called sonic toothbrushes, which represents a development to the electric toothbrush. Although the sonic toothbrush works much like an electric toothbrush, it is much faster and gentler on the teeth because the sound waves do not pollute the gums.
When brushing with an ultrasonic toothbrush, the teeth are entirely cleaned by vibrations in the ultrasonic range, which is transmitted to the tooth via the bristles. The ultrasonic toothbrush works altogether without an electric motor, the movements of the bristle head are generated by a piezo element in the sound generator. Unlike the sonic toothbrush, the bristle head does not rotate but is moved up and down, so that the interdental spaces are reached very well.
By a normal or even electric toothbrush can theoretically achieve the same result in the cleaning, but usually, too much pressure is applied with the toothbrush, resulting in the increased removal of the enamel. This, in turn, causes pain-sensitive teeth over time because the dentinal tubules are opened. Even the gums will be affected by too much pressure with a regular toothbrush - a risk that can almost be ruled out by an ultrasonic toothbrush.
In addition to the significantly better hygiene, the ultrasonic toothbrushes have the advantage that you also contribute to brightening your teeth. The smallest particles in the enamel cracks are removed, and the natural tooth color can return.
Note: Before you start whitening your teeth, it is always a good idea to visit the dentist for advice and to check whether you may be suffering from tooth decay or other things. If so, you should postpone your whitening plans a bit.
I recommend you to think about a professional cleaning in the beginning. It will help to remove all of your stains. You should make sure you're not eating any harmful foods as well.
Whitestrips & Co.
Basically, there are several other ways to lighten your tooth at home. They are slightly cheaper and also achieve good results in a short time. The main component of all variants is usually the whitening gel, which is applied for a specific duration depending on the product and later washed off.
The cost of drugstore items is usually at 10 $ - 40 $.
The following overviews contain bleaching products. The listing results from the manufacturer information and the reviews on the internet. I have not tried them in detail. To have the best possible success with these articles, i advice you e to have a professional tooth cleaning in advance, as already mentioned.
Stripes
Whitening StripsWith the Whitestrips, you can achieve eye-catching results very fast.
The strips are placed on your teeth twice a day for about 30 minutes and repeated for two weeks. This will cause your teeth to turn whiter for about half a year, after which you can repeat the procedure.
Pens/lacquers
The teeth whitening pen is the compact alternative that already contains the whitening gel and is applied to the teeth. The pen has a small brush on the front, with which you paint the gel on your tooth. After brushing your teeth thoroughly, wait 30-60 seconds. Repeat this once a day, and soon the first result will be visible.
The brushes usually have a nice size and just disappear into your pocket, so you'll always have it with you and get the most out of your time, even when you're on the go.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is something of a secret and at the same time a miracle weapon in the beauty world. Whether as a face mask, toothpaste or scrub, the activated charcoal is now used very successfully for various purpose. Teeth whitening with activated charcoal works in a similar way to baking soda: the wet toothbrush is dipped into the carbon powder, which then wipes your teeth for 1-2 minutes. However, activated charcoal should be much less abrasive and therefore not attack the enamel.
Home bleaching with a splint
For home bleaching, you need a dental splint that is worn overnight and filled with whitening gel.
This splint is made individually by the dentist or dental technician. Then you will receive a briefing from the dentist how to fill this splint with the whitening gel.
The preparation of the dental splint costs about 200 to 300 $, plus the costs for the whitening gel.
If you want something cheaper, you can buy a set with a shapeable splint including bleaching gel.
Sonic/ultrasonic tooth
brushThere are already so-called sonic toothbrushes, which represents a development to the electric toothbrush. Although the sonic toothbrush works much like an electric toothbrush, it is much faster and gentler on the teeth because the sound waves do not pollute the gums.
When brushing with an ultrasonic toothbrush, the teeth are entirely cleaned by vibrations in the ultrasonic range, which is transmitted to the tooth via the bristles. The ultrasonic toothbrush works altogether without an electric motor, the movements of the bristle head are generated by a piezo element in the sound generator. Unlike the sonic toothbrush, the bristle head does not rotate but is moved up and down, so that the interdental spaces are reached very well.
By a normal or even electric toothbrush can theoretically achieve the same result in the cleaning, but usually, too much pressure is applied with the toothbrush, resulting in the increased removal of the enamel. This, in turn, causes pain-sensitive teeth over time because the dentinal tubules are opened. Even the gums will be affected by too much pressure with a regular toothbrush - a risk that can almost be ruled out by an ultrasonic toothbrush.
In addition to the significantly better hygiene, the ultrasonic toothbrushes have the advantage that you also contribute to brightening your teeth. The smallest particles in the enamel cracks are removed, and the natural tooth color can return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a whitening last?
Depending on the application, bleaching often lasts between 0.5 and 2 years.
Is teeth whitening harmful?
No, mainly there is nothing wrong with teeth whitening. However, you should not use bleach if you have rotten or even cracked teeth.
Which discolorations disappear by bleaching?
Especially yellow and brown discoloration can be removed. These are created by the luxury foods such as tea, coffee or red wine. Also, a tooth that is gray or bluish (caused, for example, by an accident, caries, or a root filling) can often be lightened.
Which discolorations do not disappear by whithening the teeth?
If you have an amalgam filling, your tooth cannot be brightened up. If the tooth is "yellowish" by nature, whitening will also be unsuccessful.
other risks and side effects
There may be gum irritation or increased sensitivity from the tooth. Usually, however, these complaints resolve after the completion of the bleaching.
If you have tooth decay, please do not bleach, because you may damage your tooth nerve.
Teeth whitening can only whiten natural teeth. Crowns, ceramic veneers or fillings do not change the color
Whiten teeth with sensitive teeth?
If you suffer from hypersensitive dental necks, you should not make total bleaching. In this case, I recommend you to put the whitening stripes only on the enamel.
How often can teeth be whitened?
Basically, there is nothing against bleaching your teeth every few years if necessary. The important thing is that you do not do it in too short time intervals. You should wait 2-3 years until you make a whitening at the dentist or in the studio again. Only when needed, as the enamel loses some resistance to abrasion. Studies have shown that after 5-10 days, the enamel is just as hard as before, but you should still not exaggerate it.
Depending on the application, bleaching often lasts between 0.5 and 2 years.
Is teeth whitening harmful?
No, mainly there is nothing wrong with teeth whitening. However, you should not use bleach if you have rotten or even cracked teeth.
Which discolorations disappear by bleaching?
Especially yellow and brown discoloration can be removed. These are created by the luxury foods such as tea, coffee or red wine. Also, a tooth that is gray or bluish (caused, for example, by an accident, caries, or a root filling) can often be lightened.
Which discolorations do not disappear by whithening the teeth?
If you have an amalgam filling, your tooth cannot be brightened up. If the tooth is "yellowish" by nature, whitening will also be unsuccessful.
other risks and side effects
There may be gum irritation or increased sensitivity from the tooth. Usually, however, these complaints resolve after the completion of the bleaching.
If you have tooth decay, please do not bleach, because you may damage your tooth nerve.
Teeth whitening can only whiten natural teeth. Crowns, ceramic veneers or fillings do not change the color
Whiten teeth with sensitive teeth?
If you suffer from hypersensitive dental necks, you should not make total bleaching. In this case, I recommend you to put the whitening stripes only on the enamel.
How often can teeth be whitened?
Basically, there is nothing against bleaching your teeth every few years if necessary. The important thing is that you do not do it in too short time intervals. You should wait 2-3 years until you make a whitening at the dentist or in the studio again. Only when needed, as the enamel loses some resistance to abrasion. Studies have shown that after 5-10 days, the enamel is just as hard as before, but you should still not exaggerate it.
