Are you about ready to give up deciding which are the best teeth whiteners method to use to whiten your teeth? Don’t feel alone. Back in the ‘90’s, the only way to achieve a whiter smile was to 1) get veneers (thin slivers of lighter shaded porcelain bonded to your natural teeth-about $4000); 2) have your teeth crowned (“capped”- about $5000); or, 3) have a dentist apply a peroxide based gel to your teeth, either in the dental office, at home with mouth trays custom made for you by the dentist, or a combination of the two (about $300 – $400).

It seemed simple enough, to the tune of $300-$5000, depending upon your choice.  However, it’s now the 21st Century, and the self improvement movement that began in the ‘90’s has seen advances in nutrition, exercise technique and philosophy, hair transplantation, and plastic surgery, including in-office procedures such as botox injections and dermabrasion.  Driven by the needs and desires of the “baby boomers” (mid ‘50’s to mid ‘60’s), our culture has demanded improved technology in cosmetic procedures to enhance the quality of life resulting from advances in longevity. We are living longer, so we want to enjoy a younger, active, more vital lifestyle.

Since the face is generally the focal point of one’s appearance, dentistry also found a niche: providing that “movie star” smile. As the tooth bleaching techniques evolved, so did the number of choices as to how you may get your tooth shade lightened.

Unless there is structural damage to the tooth itself, veneers and crowns are no longer considered viable options for whitening. The procedures are too expensive and certainly not appropriately conservative for changing the shade of one’s teeth. The trip to the dentist for whitening is still the wisest choice by far. The fees have not changed dramatically, and you are under the care and supervision of a trained professional. Additionally, most dentists are interested in satisfied patients, so if you need another treatment to reach the desired shade, he or she will most likely be happy to administer an additional treatment. There are several choices for whitening in the dental office; few dentists offer more than one technique. Some still use the custom tray and peroxide gel method with good results. This technique may take two-three visits and require the wearing of the trays with the gel in them for certain periods of time, such as while you sleep, for about two weeks.

The most convenient and effective way of in-office bleaching is now done in a single appointment using a light that activates the gel after it is placed on the teeth. The results can be as much as five shades lighter in a single one-hour appointment. You will need to do some research in you local dental community to locate which dentists use this technique.

Now comes the truly difficult part. Nearly every pharmaceutical company that has ever sold a toothbrush is marketing a tooth whitening product that is offered over the counter. We are even bombarded with emails, pop-ups and television infomercials claiming to permanently brighten your smile for as little as $19.95, or as much as $50.00. Some come with trays and gel, some with syringes, and most popularly, in the form of  “strips” impregnated with a peroxide formula. Each has different instructions regarding use: some two hours a day, some all night, some for two weeks.

If you haven’t picked up on it by now, the one common factor in all these products and procedures is that the whitening or bleaching material is fundamentally a peroxide-based compound called cabamide peroxide. The in-office dental procedures are the quickest and most effective due to the previously mentioned professional supervision and the concentration or strength of the gel solution. Most in the office are about 22% carbamide peroxide, although they can be as high as 35% (reportedly accompanied by temporary levels of tooth sensitivity following the procedure), or as low as 10%. The keys to finding a satisfactory over the counter product (as they all work to some extent) are: 1) determining which technique is best for you (trays, strips, rinses, etc.). All of them are not user friendly; 2) finding that appears effective that you can afford; and 3) check the ingredients. Try to find a product that contains the highest percentage of carbamide peroxide. The drug store formulas are never as strong as those at the dentist’s office and therefore quite safe.

Nothing beats the professional supervision and quality of materials available at the dentist, but if that’s not for you, a small amount of research should help you find the over the counter teeth whiteners product right for you.