Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

When deciding if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, there are several aspects of the procedures and cost that you'll need to take into consideration. Factoring in your preferences for cost, time, and the overall health level of your teeth and gums will help you choose the alternative that's best for you.

There are two factors involved when determining what it takes to achieve brilliant white teeth: how much hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth and how long the bleaching agent is left on. Consumers are bombarded with media advertising that claims to be able to take years off your smile with teeth bleaching, and the stores a full of over the counter teeth whitening treatments for use at home, while dentists aggressively advertise laser teeth whitening technology to get you the results you want immediately.

So are you a candidate for teeth whitening?

The at home teeth whitening products take time, while the dental laser teeth whitening treatments cost much more money. If neither of these is a factor, the choice is up to you. However, the best person to consult about your personal teeth whitening alternatives is your dentist. The first item of business is to schedule a consultation with your dental provider, along with a cleaning and check up. You may have some tooth decay or gum disease that would make teeth whitening uncomfortable or increase your sensitivity, as in the case of thinning tooth enamel. A cavity may cause the gel to seep into the hole, painfully contacting an exposed nerve. No matter what option you choose, your dentist will be able to prepare you for teeth whitening with a good cleaning and checkup.

If you are reasonably sure that neither cavities nor sensitivity is going to be a factor, you will then need to determine the time constraints. It takes two applications a day of over the counter teeth whitening strips, gel trays, or paint on gel, each lasting around thirty minutes. With the paint on or gel trays, the best time to use them is at night before you go to bed. Adhesive strips can be worn anytime, anywhere, but with any treatment, your teeth will have to be clean and dry, so you won't be able to eat or drink during the procedure. Laser teeth whitening last up 90 minutes with each visit and you will need at least two visits to the dentist in order to achieve the desired brightness.

As far as the monetary choices in determining if you are a good candidate, laser teeth whitening treatments can cost anywhere from $600-$1000 for while over the counter whitening agents cost anywhere from $12 for adhesive strips (enough for two weeks) to around $100 for gel trays. Over the counter treatments take longer, dental results are immediate.

To recap, you can determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening by the condition of your teeth and gums, the level of your sensitivity, how much money you want to spend and how much time you want to take to achieve the desired results. Always consult with your dentist rather than a company that specializes in teeth whitening, as they have a greater concern for your overall teeth health.