Teeth Whitening Systems

There has been a recent surge in popularity in the use of at home teeth whitening systems. Over time, human teeth naturally become darker due to the absorption of chromogenic agents. Chromogenic agents are any additives, dyes or chemicals found in a food or beverage that cause the discoloration of teeth. The most common examples of these agents are tea, coffee, some sodas, tobacco, and red wine.

The home based teeth whitening system like the kind used by dentists relies on different peroxides to effectively bleach the color out of your teeth. The most common at home teeth bleaching involves using a plastic tray that fits comfortably around the teeth, allowing the peroxides to soak into the enamel for extended periods of time. Some people even opt to leave the tray in over night, while they sleep.

The success of teeth whitening systems like this varies, though at least some amount of whitening is assured. A person's commitment to using the tray consistently over a period of time is one of the most important factors, but the cause of discoloration can also play a part.

Some people just have naturally darker teeth, and this inherent color difference is hard to bleach out. The kinds of stains that come with age due to chromogenic agents like coffee, however, can be expected to disappear more effectively using a peroxide based teeth whitening system.

A different type of home based teeth whitening system involves the application of adhesive plastic strips across your teeth, instead of using a tray. These strips contain the same chemicals that bleach the discoloration out of your teeth'

Though many people find the adhesive strip bleaching system to be more comfortable than using the tray. The downside with using the strips is that they can often fail to bleach the teeth evenly, leaving the edges of the teeth more discolored than the middles.

Should You Use A Home Based Teeth Whitening System?

The obvious benefit of any home based teeth whitening system is that it is much cheaper than the same treatment you would pay for at a dentist. There is some danger in using the home whitening systems though, and any customer should be wary of what they are buying.

As the FDA does not recognize teeth bleaching systems as drugs, there is no federal regulation of them. Since the home based form is done without the supervision of a professional, there is a certain risk of damage or harm to the teeth.

If you are interested in trying an at home teeth whitening system, just make sure you research the product before using it. One thing to look for is the American Dental Association seal of approval on the product you buy. This is a great indication that the bleach involved in that product is safe and effective.