What's the best way to whiten your teeth?

I got my braces off like 7 months ago. But I haven't asked my dentist on how I can whiten my teeth. Not that my teeth are yellow, I would just like them to have a whiter smile and what I what I have now. I do not look for any special treatment that could cost me and arm and a leg. Are there any good ways to whiten you teeth?





PS: I wear retainers, so I am not sure if whitening strips would work.

What's the best way to whiten your teeth?
There are a few ways you can whiten your teeth, and most people choose by cost or by convenience.





First of all, all whitening procedures are safe for your teeth. It won't dissolve enamel or do any harm (common myths). Professional to store bought whiteners use the same whitening chemicals (hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide), it just depends on the strength of the product.





With any whitening, you can get tooth sensitivity, which is sensitizing your teeth more to cold and sometimes sweets. This is not a permanent thing, just while your whitening and maybe a day or two after you are done. It's different for each individual.





The professional whiteners that I deal with is the take home trays and the Zoom in office whitening. The take home trays are custom trays that are made from a mold of your teeth, then you are responsible to do the bleaching itself at home, usually a 2 week treatment. You can either sleep with the trays in, or wear the trays for about 2 hours a day (depending on the strength of the bleach). With this method, you need to be responsible and do it for the 2 weeks, or you won't get the best results. If tooth sensitivity is an issue, you can do the whitening every other day for 4 weeks instead, and should get he same results. At home whitening can range from $250-$350





The in office Zoom whitening is a 2 hour appointment at your dentist (if he/she offers zoom) and that would be an equivalent to the 2 week at home treatment. People like this option because they don't have to be responsible and commit to the 2 week tray system. With the Zoom, your gum tissues are isolated with a special barrier liquid that hardens (the gel used is very strong and if it gets to your gum tissues, it can get 'burnt' or a white sore spot on your gums), then the whitening gel is put on your teeth and activated by the special zoom light. 3-4 15 minutes sessions are done with the bleach. Take home trays are also made with the zoom for any future touch ups you may need. Touch up whitening can be purchased at your dental office. Zoom can range from $300-$500.





The over-the-counter whiteners do work, they just don't do as thorough of a job as the professional and need to be done more often. You also have to be careful not to get too much of the gel on your gum tissues, or it can cause a 'burn'. If you notice any of the gel on your gums, wipe it off with your finger or a toothbrush. The over-the-counter whitener that I like the best is the Oral-B/Rembrant whitening strips (comes in a silver, oval shaped box with blue top and bottom). These 2 companies came together to make this strip. I like it because the strip is made of a wax material, when places on your teeth, your body temperature warms it and it molds to your teeth and stays in place. The Crest Whitestrips have a tendancy to slide around and a lot of the gel can get in your mouth (and tastes bad). I am not a fan of any of the paint on whiteners. Over the counter whiteners can range from $15-$50.





Just a little tidbit, don't fall for any of the toothpastes marked 'whitening' and believe it. That is all marketing, they really don't whiten.





Good luck on your choice.



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