If you’re pondering the question ‘how to get white teeth fast’ then you’re certainly not alone. Teeth whitening and teeth whitening products have boomed over the last few years thanks to the combination of social media and greater public awareness about oral health. So much so in fact that according to one survey, 80% of the population want whiter teeth, while 6 out of 10 people believe that a brighter whiter smile would give their self-confidence a boost.
This has coincided with a glut of whitening products coming onto the market. The question is, what products are best?
In this post, we’re going to explore the basic options available, and their relative success in terms of teeth whitening speed. So without further ado, let’s dive in…
There are in essence 3 different ways to whiten teeth, these are
- Over-the-counter products
- Professional take-home teeth whitening kits and
- Professional chair-side teeth whitening
… and results can vary greatly.
Take over-the-counter teeth whitening products for example…
There are hundreds of teeth whitening products available in Australia, ranging from whitening toothpaste and pens through to whitening strips and the latest DIY light-activated kits. These can range from a few dollars for a popular whitening toothpaste through to a hundred dollars or more for a light-activated whitening kit.
But are they any good and if so, how fast would a consumer expect to see results?
In reality, their effectiveness can depend on a number of factors. These include –
- The degree of whitening needed – Typically, teeth whitening toothpaste whitens teeth up to one shade lighter while strips and gel trays normally achieve up to 3 shades difference, so it really does depend upon your starting point against what you hope to achieve.
- Whether they are a good fit – Over-the-counter gel trays and strips are manufactured for the masses with a one-size-fits-all concept. Consequently, this often results in just 80% of the tooth being whitened.
- The degree of bleaching agent contained within – Generally, whitening toothpaste contains lower percentages of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide than professional dentist-led teeth whitening products.
Ultimately, this means that results can vary tremendously across numerous products. These can range from a person seeing no results at all, through to them noticing a difference after several weeks or more.
So if it takes several weeks or more to get whiter teeth using over-the-counter products, is there anything else that can achieve the optimum teeth whitening quicker?
Professional take-home teeth whitening kits
As the name suggests, professional take-home teeth whitening kits are designed to be used in the comfort of your own home, However, unlike over-the-counter products, they can only be supplied by a dental professional. Why?
Because they are legally allowed to contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide and 18% carbamide peroxide which may give you the first indication as to how to get white teeth fast.
In addition, the dental trays that contain the whitening gel to be worn over the teeth are custom-made to fit exactly. This means there is very little chance of any leakage onto the gums and more chance of even whitening effect.
Professional take-home whitening kits are designed to be worn either for a few hours during the day or overnight until the desired effect is achieved. Typically, when it comes to teeth whitening speed, patients can expect to see some change after 7-10 days with the desired results achieved within 2-4 weeks.
While that’s okay, what if you’re looking into how to get white teeth instantly? Are there any other methods available that do exactly this?
Chairside teeth whitening
The final and arguably most successful form of teeth whitening is chair-side or in-office teeth whitening.
As the name suggests, this is carried out in the dental chair at your local dental clinic. As treatment is carried out by a dentist, whitening gels typically contain higher levels of bleaching agents – usually around 35% hydrogen peroxide.
Because the gel is that much stronger, treatments are carefully controlled. However, it also means that patients can come and get their teeth whitened in as little as a lunch hour.
Moreover, some results can appear instantaneous, but this does depend on the whiteness of your teeth initially and the degree of staining. So while it’s the most expensive form of teeth whitening, it’s also by far the most effective.
So there you have it… if you want to know how to get teeth white fast, then we would suggest opting for chairside teeth whitening. However, be prepared to pay more for the privilege.
Alternatively, if you are prepared to wait several weeks or more for a treatment that may or may not have the desired effect, then opt for the cheaper end of the market in the multitude of over-the-counter products.
A word about tooth sensitivity…
One of the main side effects often associated with teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. It’s estimated that around 10% of people suffer from exacerbated tooth sensitivity when undergoing teeth whitening treatment. Normally, however, there is a good reason behind it.
It could be some kind of decay, gum recession or a small hole in the tooth. Areas could also be exposed as a result of teeth grinding. Because of this, before a patient undergoes professional whitening they will be checked over by a dental professional to see whether they are a good candidate. As a result, any chance of experiencing tooth sensitivity is usually minimised.
On the contrary, if you purchase an over-the-counter teeth whitening product you are very much left to your own devices and in some cases that can be a risk.
If you want to know more about how to get white teeth in a safe and speedy manner, then come and talk to one of our teams at No Gaps Dental. With 15 contemporary locations spread across the Sydney Metro area, we can help you to obtain a brighter, whiter confidence-boosting smile. Visit our website and make an appointment at a location of your choice.