If you are hoping to remove stains or discolorations from your teeth, over-the-counter teeth whitening may be the best choice for you. Many people prefer this type of product because it is convenient and quite inexpensive compared to other dental treatments.  It is still essential to understand more about over-the-counter teeth whitening products so that you can feel comfortable and see the greatest results in whitening your teeth.

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Now, let’s take a quick peek at a number of valuable guidelines.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening consists of strips or trays, whitening toothpaste, or breath strips. Many of these commercial products will give you great results, although often times, they are only temporary because they use light abrasion.  This is often the case when using a whitening toothpaste since it uses whitening ingredients in light abrasion to remove surface stains. All of the ingredients will only clean the surface of the teeth, and you do need to be careful when using them since they could abrade and cause damage to the outer layer of the teeth.

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These over-the-counter whitening products contain a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, which may not give you the results that you are looking for in white teeth if you have very severe stains. If any of the products are used improperly, it could also cause sensitivity in your teeth.  That is why it is important to consult with your dentist about any products that you use to make sure that they are safe.

Another alternative if you don’t want to use commercial products is to use a kit provided by your dentist.  Of course, this is somewhat more expensive, but many people preferred this do-it-yourself approach since it is cheaper than a professional dental whitening treatment. This will involve your dentist making an impression of your teeth so that they can create a tray that perfectly fits your mouth. This entire treatment at home could take up to two weeks, and normally, your dentist will record the shade of your teeth so that you can see your overall whitening results.

Your dentist will also make an appointment with you to show you how to best use these at-home products so that you can see the greatest results. Normally, these products will be used one hour on a daily basis for up to two weeks, and you will also need to touch up applications. Other kits created by dentists may require you to wear the products overnight for your convenience.

The bottom line is that these methods of whitening can provide great results if they are used properly, which is why it is important to follow the instructions. It is important to understand that over-the-counter whitening treatments may not provide as good of results as a professional kit given to you by your dentist. In addition, if you practice good hygiene on a daily basis, like regularly brushing and flossing, you will see the greatest results.  This will guarantee that you will have a beautiful and sparkling smile from your use of over-the-counter whitening products!