Written by Blair Koster
Autumn is just around the corner, and even if you’re not going through the back-to-school routine, it may be time for you to brighten your wardrobe—with a new smile. Whether you have struggled for years with less-white-than-you-like teeth or if they have darkened from age, smoking or regular coffee, tea or soda consumption, you can reinvigorate your look with a radiant smile.
1. Baking Soda | Cost: $2-3 average
Try it if: You want a cheaper way to whiten teeth.
How it works: The peroxide in the baking soda can whiten surface stains on the teeth. First, brush your teeth with toothpaste the way you always do. Next, make the baking soda blend by placing a small amount of baking soda in a miniature bowl, adding a dash of water to create a paste. Next, use a soft toothbrush and brush lightly.
Good to know: Dental hygienist Melody Keene in Richmond says baking soda wears away tooth enamel, so it may be better to save this product for household cleaning or other uses.
2. Whitening Toothpastes Cost: $3.50 and up
Try them if: You have surface stains, such as coffee and smoking stains.
How they work: Whitening toothpastes include special abrasives that softly polish the teeth and chemicals to break down or dissolve stains. Teeth should look whiter after two to four weeks. According to the Mayo Clinic website, whitening toothpaste with blue covarine can produce immediate results because the chemical adheres to the surface of the teeth.
Good to know: Avoid excessive brushing as this might damage tooth enamel and produce a bluish color.
3. Whitening Rinses Cost: $4.50 and up
Try them if: You have a mild level of tooth stains.
How they work: Whitening rinses dissolve surface stains by using hydrogen peroxide and mild acids. Some whitening rinses also try to prevent new stains by using a special chemical. Unless you smoke, your teeth should remain noticeably whiter for at least a few months after repeated use.
Good to know: Some experts say to avoid pre-brush teeth whitening rinses, because the abrasion of brushing after using an acidic rinse could scrub away microscopic layers of enamel over time.
4. Strips and Over-the-Counter Trays | Cost: $35 and up
Try them if: You have yellow tones to your teeth and no fillings.
How they work: Whitening strips are thin and coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. Many kits require that you apply the strips twice daily for 30 minutes for 14 days. You will see initial results in a few days, and results typically last about four months. Tray-based over-the-counter whiteners work by filling the tray with a gel-whitening solution, which contains peroxide. Wearing the tray from a couple hours a day to every day during the night up to four weeks or longer will produce results.
Good to Know: The results will be quicker if you have less tooth discoloration.
5. Custom Trays Cost: $250 to $500
Try them if: You want more dramatic results.
How they work: These trays, which are molded to your teeth, come with a whitening gel. “It usually takes about two weeks for teeth to lighten, depending on when your teeth first darkened. If your teeth darkened early, the lightening process will be slower,” says Dr. Timothy Johnston of Norge Dental Center. To achieve results, you’ll need to wear these trays daily.
Good to know: Results will last several years, depending upon your lifestyle. For example, consuming beverages such as coffee, tea and cola will darken teeth over time.
How it works: “The chemicals used lighten the teeth,” Johnston says. “The light [applied to the treated teeth] accelerates the chemicals.” How fast the treatment works depends on your age and when your teeth first began to darken.
Good to know: “This treatment lasts really well, from five to 10 years,” says Johnston. “I suggest that my patients take home the whitening trays we give them and wear them once a month for maintenance.”