1. Introduction
We offer affordable chairside teeth whitening services, concentrating on optimal patient care and treatment outcomes. As a dentist-supervised procedure, it is a safe and painless treatment that can remove discolouration due to poor dental hygiene, aging, certain foods and drinks, and tobacco use. Patients can experience instant results after a one-hour visit at our clinic. At-home treatments use teeth whitening gel and custom-fitted trays to wear over your teeth, making it a convenient activity to do within the comforts of home.
Stained and discoloured teeth can affect a person’s self-esteem. A beautiful smile can do wonders for your confidence and overall presence. And with modern science and technology making teeth whitening ever more accessible, why not explore the options available at every budget? Over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments are easy to try and are quite affordable. Light-induced teeth whitening kits with technical settings to help users whiten their teeth with consistent results. This guide also includes information on a range of professional teeth whitening services available in Singapore. Book an appointment or opt for a walk-in visit to experience visible results in a quick and fuss-free manner.
1.1. The Importance of a Bright Smile
According to a poll, 48% of people believe that a smile is the most memorable feature after they first meet someone new; 25% of people feel that a smile is the best facial feature for making a good impression; and 60% of people feel that a beautiful smile can make someone much more attractive. If you are not happy with the shade of teeth, professional teeth whitening is an option. Teeth whitening, also known as dental bleaching, is a common cosmetic dental care procedure. Whiter teeth can make you look better and enhance your smile. Many causes can change the natural or genetically deep color of your teeth. These include aging, tobacco stains and the consumption of dark colored liquids such as red wine, coffee, tea, and soda.
Having a bright smile full of white teeth is a goal for many people. Teeth are one of the first things people notice about others, and we want our healthiest smiles to be on full display. Teeth whitening can help our smiles look brighter, whiter, and healthier. In recent years, tooth discoloration has concerned millions of people, as teeth dull over time with age-staining foods, drinks (like coffee, tea, and red wine), tobacco use, and other dietary choices. In recent years, advances in teeth whitening procedures have improved the brightness and durability of results.
2. DIY Teeth Whitening Kits
At the cheapest and simplest DIY teeth whitening service end of the spectrum are the off the shelf teeth whitening products that line the shelves of your local supermarket, or that can be ordered from any number of places online. These products consist of rinses, toothpastes, gels, strips, and trays. With the exception of the toothpastes, these products generally contain some type of peroxide, which is the same active ingredient used in professional treatments. The difference is that the “professional-grade” peroxide (usually carbamide or hydrogen peroxide) comes at a much higher concentration, often 35-40%. These at home products have peroxide concentrations of 3-20%. Their appeal is that they are generally cheaper, and easy to use.
There are a variety of teeth whitening services to give you a bright smile. Some are the types of things you can do yourself at home with over the counter or online products, while others need to be done by a dental professional. We are going to discuss teeth whitening services that range from low-cost do-it-yourself (DIY) options to higher-end professional-grade treatments. All of these services have pros and cons, as of course does the case of living with yellowed teeth. The point of this article is to highlight the options available, so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
2.1. How DIY Kits Work
Lowenberg usually recommends Crest Whitestrips because they are “cheap and effective.” He also likes Opalescence, which he considers to be a strong bleach for home use. While the doctor does not have as high an opinion of Listerine whitening strips, he is intrigued by Johnson & Johnson’s release of Listerine whitening strips called Pocketpacks because people can now use whitening strips on the go. Dr. Thomas Connelly, a New York City aesthetic dentist, has seen “really nice results with Crest Whitestrips,” and would also recommend Opalescence.
6% of professional whitening treatments. The remainder of respondents said they had either never whitened or they were not interested in whitening in the future.
With DIY kits, you visit a store or a website to buy white strips or custom trays along with a bleaching gel. The strips can be applied directly to your front teeth, and the custom trays are filled with gel and inserted into your mouth. Once complete, expect to have whiter teeth, though not as bright as you could get with professional whitening. “At-home bleaching can whiten your teeth 6-8 shades.” Indeed, one of the big advantages of using home kits is that you can continue to use them for longer periods of time to get the desired lightness achieved. “It’s cheap and you can go to any pharmacy to buy the restorative product.”
2.2. Pros and Cons of DIY Kits
Cons: The most standard teeth whitening products that exist in pharmacies such as whitening toothpaste, rinse and accelerator kits are less successful. However, others swear by Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and at-home laser kits to make their immediate whitening substances perform more successful. There are several coconut-shell activated whitening kits charcoals that can be found in stores for nonprofessional use. Ensure you always use natural orally, not petroleum burning. Your teeth are on the same layer as your skin and concrete, with medication. If it dries out, it can ruin your enamel, discoloring your teeth. If your teeth are whitened with adversities, make sure you quit using the therapy and called your dentist.
Pros: Convenience is the main reason that many people turn to at-home teeth whitening kits, whether from their local pharmacy or ordered online from a dental professional. It’s a fast and easy way to put a little extra brightness into your smile. Many at-home whitening kits contain exactly the same ingredients as professional whitening services. The difference is that, with over-the-counter products, the teeth whitening gel is available in lower concentrations, ensuring that anybody who uses it won’t harm themselves with misuse. Lower concentrations can safely mean more lacquers and included in the whitening kit therapeutic resources such as teeth desensitization.
3. Whitening Toothpaste and Strips
Tooth-whitening strips are made of a flexible plastic material with a peroxide-based gel on one side. But they may not produce the same power as whitening services offered at the dentist. Plus, they may not fit your mouth and teeth properly as a one-size-fits-all treatment. You can also become more prone to sensitivity during and after using strips. There are some express versions which brighten teeth over a couple of hours, but on-the-go treatments could work at your own risk. Always talk to your dentist for advice first.
Whitening toothpastes are relatively low-cost and claim to remove coffee and wine stains over a few weeks. The problem is that they don’t whiten beyond your natural tooth color, removing just surface-level stains. That’s something to keep in mind. Some can be effective though, and could reduce yellowing and lengthen the time between professional cleanings. As some also include ingredients for enamel protection and cavity prevention, it might not be a toothpaste to write off entirely.
4. Over-the-Counter Whitening Gels and Trays
If your teeth are harmed, there may be sales commissions only for the dental. Shields and trays are simple but have a big impact, much more costly. They last a lifetime indicating that you can use your trays every time your teeth begin to darken to dissolve any gathering stains. These take time but not necessarily directly from the dentist, who can provide an exceptional finish. This can be as tough and economical as the negotiated varieties and might be just as efficient. Some businesses provide customized braces for domestic vessels, allowing you to have soft new teeth last a lifetime from the ease of your house. Defensive tooth techniques may also allow you to make a superior effect. Always search the licensor’s credentials, check an enormous amount of “before and after” pictures and browse the feedbacks to discover the perfect shield for oneself.
The tooth whitening kits work because hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that whitens the enamel of the teeth, peeling off the stains. When done with caution, or after a dentist’s consultation, tooth whitening is a low-risk undertaking. If you pick an over-the-counter kit, read the guidelines carefully and consult with a dentist for proper fit of the trays. The dental professional may recommend keeping the bleaching gel on for a shorter amount of time to avoid causing injury to your teeth. Consistent caution nowadays is using too much over-the-counter teeth bleaching items. Some people leave the gel on as long as it is suggested in the hope that their teeth would speed up the procedure. Bleaching items are not working that even if they are used in excessive amounts. Don’t exceed the duration advised to avoid escalating tooth sensitivity, which may delay the dental whiteness you long for!
5. In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening
Depending on which in-office teeth whitening kit dentists choose, many are required to use a light or a laser. These lights/lasers act as a heat source to activate the stronger peroxide gel, but some scientists believe that the lights aren’t necessary to the whitening process. However, some people might prefer to use lights because lights make the in-office teeth whitening more scientific and modern, evoking excitement and anticipation from the patients. The added heat raises the temperature of a patient’s teeth, which also raises the reaction from the peroxide gel, creating a more significant color change in the teeth, thus the whiter and brighter result. After the in-office teeth whitening treatment, dentists would have patients rinse and swish an immediate fluoride treatment to seal and shield the enamel. Patients will then walk out of the dentist’s office with a bright, happy, confident smile. Enamel actually takes time to relax and repair itself, so teeth might oversaturate and look too light after in-office treatments, but the too light color fades away after a few days.
In-office professional teeth whitening: Whitening teeth in the office often involves similar treatments that are done at home, except with a much higher concentration of the peroxide gel. Having a higher concentration of peroxide means the gel can penetrate through tooth enamel and bleach the color deeper out of the teeth, therefore brightening up the color more significantly. Unlike at-home kits, in-office professional teeth whitening only requires about 90 minutes of your time at the dental office. It’s a much quicker process for people who want immediate, more noticeable results. People with really tough teeth stains would benefit highly from this treatment. Patients who experience tough teeth stains from illnesses such as a high fever or from exposure to cold weather are caused by getting thin enamel or enamel with cracks. The peroxide gel from in-office professional teeth whitening can penetrate through enamel and get deep down into the teeth to brighten the color.
5.1. Types of Professional Treatments
According to the number of natural teeth we have and the fact that white teeth are not always recommended veneers or veneers made of composite or ceramic, the treatment takes from 45 minutes to an hour and 10 years, routine, helpfulness, appointments, price, and individual requirements or contraindications for each type of technique.
Usually, dental whitening is a simple, easy, and quick procedure recommended for anyone who wants prettier and whiter teeth. However, for teeth to react to ligaments and stay lighter, choosing to do this type of formula is necessary, even if the substance is on the teeth for laundry. That’s why cleaning, diagnosing problems with hygiene habits and cavities, or gum disease should be producing the best results.
Products that are applied in beauty centers, on the other hand, are found only with hydrogen peroxide at 0.1% and its use must be done in the presence of a dental professional.
As its name suggests, professional teeth whitening is done by a dentist, the only dental hygienist, and involves using gels that have a higher concentration of strong hydrogen peroxide of up to 6%, 16% carbamide peroxide, which penetrates quickly to the enamel, turning the teeth lighter shades. In fact, the products come with pH regulators and a protein that protect the enamel and reduce sensitivity.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is important to note that beauty centers and dental clinics offer their clients two different types of teeth whitening. The techniques used with proteins, laser or photoactivation, and the recommended lightening gels are the same, but who applies the technique is the difference.
6. Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies
Hippocrates, an ancient Greek, was the first to use a mixture of teeth whitening vinegar and pumice. In Italy, many years later, it was still used as a natural teeth whitener. After discovering that gritty tartar elements were scraped easily from teeth by lemon and vinegar, Dr. Amos S. Westcott patented the concoction. Baking soda is an item that has many household uses, and teeth whitening is one of them. This is because it’s a mild abrasive, and it can be used to rub away organic stains on the surface of your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide lifts stains by using this common, inexpensive, but powerful over-the-counter anti-infective. On a fun note, you probably already have this handy remedy in your home right now. It’s called strawberries and we all love to eat them with sugar and cream. In India, they are well known and cost very little. Eating strawberries will help whiten them naturally. You can also make a paste with them and rub it onto your teeth to ensure that they work.
Aside from teeth whitening services from clinics, there are also natural teeth whitening solutions that you can use. While most of those “DIY at home” remedies are not proven, it is fine to give them a try. However, if you have crowns, bonding, or porcelain veneers, your teeth will not respond to one of these home teeth whitening treatments. Below are six options for teeth whitening that you can use as alternatives if you are interested in avoiding those chemical-laden strips and over-the-counter treatments.
7. Conclusion
Repeated treatments may see a slight improvement or cause extra sensitivity. If you’re having a hard time deciding on which method or service to use, not to worry. Most everyone aims to improve their appearance. And seeing as one smile is the feature that can either make or break an individual’s look, teeth whitening is a trending topic among everyone attempting to improve their self-image. Independent of budget, there’s always an option to better one’s self, so before starting to whiten your teeth, it’s best to do a little community research.
Now that you’ve read about the top 7 teeth whitening products and services, all that’s left for you to do is pick the right one and get started. For those in the United States, companies like SmileDirectClub, Byte, ALIGNERCO, and Candid are all good choices for receiving the in-home treatments. If you are not in the United States, both Chiara Teeth Whitening and MINT Teeth Whitening offer professional home kits for all international customers. For those interested in professional in-clinic treatment in the United States, MINT Teeth Whitening and PureSmile offer professional teeth whitening services.
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References:
Ellender, J. T. “Perceptions of Current University Health Care Providers Concerning Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment; Direct-to-consumer Orthodontic (Dtco) Providers Versus ….” 2021. [HTML]
Hiciano, Y. A. T. “Percepção, satisfação e qualidade de vida nos pacientes tratados com alinhadores: revisão narrativa.” 2023. rcaap.pt