Teeth Whitening At Home

Teeth Whitening at Home: The Do’s and Don’ts from Your Lincoln Family Dentist.

Answers to 5 commonly asked questions about teeth whitening at home: We’ll tell you what you need to know!

-What is the best active ingredient for teeth whitening at home?

-Can the ingredients in teeth whitening at home products make my teeth sensitive?

-Will toothpaste or mouthwash help whiten my teeth?

-Will take-home trays, paints, and whitening strips work for fast teeth whitening at home?

-What are the best natural remedies for teeth whitening at home? Do they work?

The do’s and don’ts of at-home teeth whitening can vary. Some of the most common recommendations, however, are to avoid sugary and acidic foods, avoid consuming foods and drinks that stain teeth, be sure to practice good oral hygiene at home before and after whitening, and check the labels of over-the-counter teeth whitening products.

Before and after image of teeth whitening at home in Lincoln, NE.

There is no question people want a whiter smile. The unfortunate thing is that it can be pricey to have professional teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry done. Luckily, there are other ways to get that impressive white shine on our teeth without considerable expense.

Even when the economy was down in the dumps, for example, during 2012, teeth whitening products still grew. There was a growth of 3.7% increase over the past year. If that doesn’t sound like much, think again. If we’re talking figures, try thinking $383 million. This analysis came from the IBIS World report.

To get that instant Hollywood shine; visiting the dentist to whiten your teeth is the way to go. But not everybody’s financial situation can accommodate that. So, the next option would be a home alternative or an over-the-counter teeth whitening product.

Teeth Whitener’s Number One Ingredient: Peroxide

The main bleaching ingredients that are the critical components of any teeth whitening products are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. For both types, the peroxide takes away surface stains by it bubbling away on the enamel’s surface. The more concentrated the peroxide and longer it’s been applied, the brighter and whiter your teeth will become.

teeth whitening before patient treatment

So, the stronger the peroxide solution, the faster the whitening? Why not just go with 100% peroxide and call it a day?

Well, you could, but you’ll regret it. Peroxide will make your teeth sensitive. The more that’s applied, the more sensitive your teeth will be, which is no walk at the park. Besides being sensitive, if the peroxide touches the gums at all, they will start to get irritated and begin to burn. Unfortunately, that burning sensation is not just a slight tickle.

Another thing to take into account is that after the peroxide is done getting rid of the stains, it will make your teeth more susceptible to staining again up to 48 hours after treatment. So staying away from food products that gave you stains in the first place shouldn’t be consumed at that time; this means no marinara, coffee, or soda.

Try Out Some Different Kinds of Toothpaste or Mouthwash

You could check out some toothpaste and mouthwashes available at your local store. Some of them provide more peroxide than others. So, if you find the right one that works for you, you’ll start to see your teeth whiten in no time. But, don’t take flossing as something lightly. Flossing is just as important. If brushing, mouth washing, and flossing are a daily routine, healthier teeth equal a brighter smile.

Take-Home Trays, Strips, or Paint on Whiteners

Using take-home whitening trays or whitening strips could be an excellent solution to bumping up that smile whiteness. They tend to use more peroxide than mouthwashes and toothpaste. If those both don’t seem to strike your fancy, paint on whitening could be a solution to stained teeth. All three of these whitening tricks are supposed to sit on your teeth for some time. Find out what’s more comfortable for you. Just know this technique will be slower than one-day teeth whitening at a dental office.

Natural At-Home Teeth Whitening Remedies

Mixing baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide could work as a whitening solution. Make sure, however, that it touches only on your teeth, and not your gums. A more natural way to do at-home teeth whitening is something called oil pulling. Oil pulling is when you place oil such as coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for a bit. The oil helps lift out the bacteria built up in the teeth. Keeping a teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 20 to 30 mins could end up helping those teeth whitening results. An article posted on the Medical News Today website also offers Six Natural Ways to Whiten Teeth.

Even after reading this, you might still have questions about at-home teeth whitening in Lincoln, NE. We understand and are glad you’re curious. That means you care about your overall health and well-being, which is extremely important.

So, to further help, we’ve answered a few of our most commonly asked questions:

How often should you whiten your teeth at home? Your Lincoln dentist near me answers: The time-frame or duration between whitenings highly depends upon each individual’s sensitivity level. If sensitivity is high, we recommend 1 – 2 times per week. If sensitivity is low, whitening can be done daily for a few weeks and then tapered off to once a week or even once per month.
Can you whiten your teeth at home? Your Lincoln dentist answers: Yes! There are many options for those who want to whiten their teeth at home. Most dental offices offer take-home whitening trays and gel that you can so in the comfort of your own home. Whitening strips can be purchased over-the-counter. However, those aren’t “custom fit,” so some of the gel could cause a slight chemical burn if allowed to sit on the gum tissue.
How can I whiten my teeth in one day? Your Lincoln dentist answers: Whitening teeth in a day requires the professional help of a dental office. In-office whitening contains a higher percentage of gel or possibly the use of light to help increase the chances of whitening quickly.
Does coconut oil whiten teeth? Your Lincoln dentist answers: The use of coconut oil will not remove intrinsic stains, but it may help prevent extrinsic stains from sticking to the outermost portion of the tooth.

What’s next?

We hope these frequently asked questions can help guide you when making the final decision about whitening your teeth. If you’re curious about something that you don’t see here, don’t hesitate to call our Lincoln dentists. One of our trained team members would honor the opportunity to help you.

The information on this page was written by Dr. Jodi Day.

This gentle Lincoln, NE dentists says: “My patients deserve personalized, quality dental care in an atmosphere they feel comfortable in. At Nebraska Family Dentistry, our team of caring professionals are committed to providing you with a comfortable and positive dental experience. Our goal is to partner with you to help you achieve and maintain optimal dental health throughout your lifetime.”

You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist online 24/7 at her West Lincoln Location of Nebraska Family Dentistry. This Lincoln, NE dentist serves the local communities close to Coddington Dental in Garland, Pleasant Dale, Denton, Crete, Milford, Hickman, Roca, Martell, and Panama.

I am looking forward to meeting you soon, Dr. Jodi Day