Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS
Discolored teeth is a chief concern people bring up when visiting dental professionals. As many as 80% of adults between the ages of 18 and 49 want whiter teeth and collectively spend billions of dollars each year in hopes of achieving that.
Fortunately, there are a number of effective ways to whiten your teeth, many of which can be done from the comfort of your home. Before selecting an at-home or in-office method, talk to a dentist about which whitening technique might be best for you.
Use Whitening Trays
One popular way to whiten teeth is a tray-based tooth whitening system. The trays are available over-the-counter or from a dental professional. The fitted tray is placed over your teeth and contains a carbamide peroxide bleaching gel. Carbamide peroxide is a compound that breaks down in water and then releases hydrogen peroxide, a chemical compound that can whiten teeth. These trays are usually worn for two to four hours at a time. As long as you follow the dentist and manufacturer's instructions, you will likely notice your teeth are lighter by one or two shades in just a few days.
One benefit of using a tray provided by a dental professional is that the trays are often custom-made. Dentist-provided trays tend to fit more comfortably than those you buy over-the-counter and minimize contact of the gel with gum tissue. But in terms of effectiveness, one review found no difference between custom-made trays and those purchased in stores.
Apply Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips that are placed on your teeth for short periods of time are another option. People sometimes prefer these types of whitening tools because they are inexpensive and readily available in most stores.
The strips might not technically bleach your teeth as well as whitening trays, but that difference was only found with a special tool and not actually undetectable by the naked eye.
Related: The 11 Best Teeth Whitening Kits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Switch to a Toothpaste With Hydrogen Peroxide
There are a number of whitening toothpastes on the market. Some contain abrasive components to remove stains. Many contain hydrogen peroxide.
One review found that people using a toothpaste with 1% hydrogen peroxide experienced a significant change in dental color when used regularly for periods of five days to eight weeks. Another review found using the toothpaste twice a day increased tooth whitening, but brushing three times a day resulted in even whiter teeth.
Some experts may be concerned that the compound can harm your tissues and cells by causing inflammation. Talk with your dentist before trying a toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide. They'll advise whether you should use it and, if so, for how long and how often.
Hydrogen peroxide is a popular ingredient in dental products not only because it can whiten teeth, but also because it can kill bacteria in your mouth. Brushing your teeth with a hydrogen peroxide-based toothpaste could also be less harsh. Research shows that consistently brushing with more abrasive toothpastes could cause irreversible damage to your enamel, recession of your gum tissue, and hypersensitivity.
Brush With a Baking Soda Toothpaste
Baking soda has natural whitening properties and is commonly included in toothpaste. The ingredient is mildly abrasive but not as hard as the enamel on your teeth, making it effective in brushing away stains when used consistently over time.
There might be other benefits to brushing with baking soda, too. Toothpastes with baking soda have been shown to be more effective at reducing plaque, gum inflammation, and bleeding more than toothpastes without baking soda.
Related: The 7 Best Teeth Whitening Pens of 2023
Undergo Professional Whitening
Professional whitening involves a dental professional applying bleaching agents to your teeth in an office setting. Sometimes the whitening chemical agents are activated by a light source.
Professional tools tend to work quicker than over-the-counter products. In fact, research has shown that some over-the-counter bleaching tools can take 16 days to achieve the same level of whitening as a one-day professional procedure.
Professional whitening can even have a positive impact on oral hygiene. For instance, people tend to brush their teeth more often and longer after undergoing the procedure. They also are more likely to limit their consumption of coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks.
One deterrent, though, is cost. While the cost of professional teeth whitening will vary depending on where you live and the dental professional you see, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that the average cost of teeth whitening was roughly $360 in 2015 for one procedure. Sometimes people need multiple procedures to achieve the level of whiteness they want, meaning the cost would be more.
Eat More Fruit
Certain fruits have organic acids that provide a bleaching effect, safely helping to whiten teeth. Some people might prefer this natural approach to teeth whitening. Fruits that can have a whitening effect include:
Limes
Lemons
Strawberries
Apples
Papaya
Meanwhile, strawberry juice has been shown to help remove coffee stains. And rubbing your teeth with the peels of bananas and citrus fruit may also help whiten teeth—one of the reasons mouthwashes and other dental products contain citrus ingredients.
Keep in mind, though, that citrus fruits like lemons and limes are acidic and so can have a negative effect on tooth enamel. As such, they should be used only sparingly.
Risks of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening products and procedures don't come without risks. The two most common are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Tooth Sensitivity
Your teeth can temporarily become more sensitive after undergoing any type of bleaching. This may be due to your pulp (the tissue in the center of your tooth) becoming inflamed in response to the treatment's peroxide.
That means your teeth can become more sensitive after using whitening trays or whitening strips. You may notice the sensitivity during your treatment or two to three days into your whitening routine. The sensitivity will typically get better a few days after your treatment has ended.
Whether whitening trays are done at home or in the office, you can develop tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity is usually mild but can be more noticeable with stronger treatments. There is less of a risk of tooth sensitivity with whitening strips compared to whitening trays.
The strength of the ingredients in your treatment, the amount of time the product stayed in your mouth, and how powerful the light was for any light-based treatment can all dictate whether your teeth get sensitive and how sensitive they become.
Gum Irritation
Gum irritation is also usually mild and only temporary. Your gums can get irritated after you use whitening strips or gels with peroxide in them. For instance, if a tray is not fitted properly, the gel could ooze onto your gums and irritate them.
Any gum irritation usually develops within a day of treatment and should improve a few days after the treatment. Factors like how much peroxide is used and how long your treatment lasts can affect how irritated your gums become.
Tooth Damage
Some whitening products might have a risk of tooth erosion and tooth pulp damage. Very aggressive regimens can dehydrate teeth or cause teeth to lose minerals, with teeth only temporarily appearing whiter.
Things to Avoid
The risks that can come with teeth whitening depend on the chemicals used, the duration of treatment, and pre-existing tooth sensitivity.
For this reason, you should avoid using over-the-counter products without consulting a dental professional first. They can advise you of your options as well as guidance on how long you should use each product given your specific dental health. A dentist can also will ensure there are no risk factors or other oral pathology concerns that would make whitening unsuitable for you.
You also don't want to use any over-the-counter whitening product without reading the manufacturer's instructions. Leaving whitening strips or trays on for longer than recommended could increase your risk of tooth sensitivity and damage. And using the product too often can have adverse effects, too, such as creating enamel defects.
If it's decided that teeth whitening is right for you, a dental professional also may advise you to limit how much coffee or tea you drink after a whitening procedure. They also will likely recommend that you avoid smoking or other habits that may cause teeth staining. This is because whitening agents can alter the texture and makeup of your tooth's enamel, making re-staining easier.
A Quick Review
As many as 80% of people between the ages of 18 and 49 want whiter smiles. In fact, discolored teeth is a common concern people bring up during dental visits. There are several ways you can whiten your teeth, which can be done at home or in the dental office. Methods include whitening strips and trays as well as specialized whitening toothpastes. Peroxide, whether in carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, is most often the main ingredient used in whitening methods. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, it is important to talk with a dental provider about all of your options and choose the one that is right for you—especially since teeth whitening can increase tooth sensitivity or cause gum irritation.
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