Still, if you know your teeth are particularly sensitive, you can aim for a whitening product with 3 to 10 percent carbamide peroxide, says Dr. Izhaky. DON'T eat food for an hour after taking your mouth guard out, especially acidic food if you have sensitive teeth. It goes without saying, tea, coffee and red wine stain teeth faster.

There are many ways to whiten your teeth. What is important is the fact that your dentist can provide you the best outcome. Remember that only enamel can be whitened; tooth colored fillings, crowns and veneers can not be bleached out. Active decay must be taken care of before bleaching is done to reduce any possibility of root canals. The most important thing is that your dentist evaluates your situation to give you the professional guidance needed for the most predictable results. If you have permanent damage to your teeth, including discoloration that can’t be fixed, talk to your dentist about veneers. Talk with your dentist about any sensitivity you may experience after using whitening treatments at home or when receiving them at the dentist’s office. If a product causes tooth pain or redness or bleeding in your gums, stop using it and consult your dentist. Whitening products Kugel, G., Papathanasiou, A., Williams 3rd, A. J., Anderson, C., & Ferreira, S. (2006). Clinical evaluation of chemical and light-activated tooth whitening systems. Compendium of continuing education in dentistry (Jamesburg, NJ: 1995), 27(1), 54-62. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16454016/

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If you are thinking of using a teeth whitening product, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist so that they can advise on whether teeth whitening is appropriate for you, and which are the best teeth whitening products to suit your oral health. 1

Research indicates that toothpastes that contain baking soda remove stains from yellowing teeth more effectively than other pastes. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the better the results. Only go to a registered dental professional for teeth whitening because whitening by people who aren't qualified, for example in beauty salons, is illegal. However, since oil pulling is so good for oral hygiene in general, I include it on this list as a combo method of stain removal and stain prevention. Eating crunchy raw fruits and veggies may clear away some plaque on your teeth. However, it’s no substitute for diligent oral hygiene. 3. Limiting Dark Foods and DrinksDuring each session, a high concentration of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide (20-43%) will be “painted” onto the teeth. A polymerization light is used to activate the gel, and it’s reapplied several times over the session. UV, LED, laser, or halogen teeth whitening systems: These light-based whitening products do not improve teeth whitening more than non-UV systems. They can cause tooth sensitivity and potentially devitalize tooth nerves, requiring restorations like root canal therapy or tooth extraction. If your teeth whitening kit comes with a light, throw the light away. Consider whitening mouthwash. We recommend using mouthwash with fluoride 30 minutes after brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice per day and 45 minutes after meals containing sugary, acidic, or processed foods

Laser whitening, also known as power whitening, is another type of teeth whitening system that a dentist can provide. A bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. Laser whitening takes about an hour. Can any dentist whiten teeth?Walsh, L. J. (2000). Safety issues relating to the use of hydrogen peroxide in dentistry. Australian dental journal, 45(4), 257-269. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11225528/ Veneers aren’t exactly a teeth whitening method, but rather cover your natural teeth. You and your dentist will choose a tooth color for veneers because you can’t whiten them later. To help you narrow down the list of whitening kits that will meet your needs, we tested the best options on the market. We tried out dozens of whitening kits, following each brand's specific instructions. Throughout the test, we paid close attention to how easy it was to use the product, whether we experienced any discomfort or teeth sensitivity, and how effective the product was in whitening our teeth. We then took careful notes on the appearance of our teeth before, during, and after the whitening process.An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the efficacy of active whitening ingredients. Dark foods and beverages — Consuming dark foods and drinks over a long period can stain your teeth. 1