In my recent blog post “All About Teeth Whitening” I helped you find out if teeth whitening is right for you. Whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or opt for DIY, here’s what you need to know about at-home teeth whitening treatments:

7 Of The Best At-Home Whitening Treatments

1. Whitening Trays
   To maintain the beautiful results of in-office whitening treatment, I always send my patients home with custom-fitted whitening trays and gel to keep their pearly whites…pearly-white! The gel contains the same kind of bleach as office treatments, but at a much lower concentration. You can use whitening trays that are available over-the-counter if you don’t want to invest in in-office whitening. They will whiten your teeth to a certain extent, but not as much as in-office treatments.
   
   
2.  Whitening Strips 
   If your teeth are mildly stained from smoking or certain foods, over-the-counter teeth whitening strips may be all you need. They follow same process as in office whitening, but there is a much lower concentration of bleach in the gel. These disposable, one-size-fits-all plastic strips are filled with gel and worn directly on your teeth. Some strips are even designed to dissolve in your mouth!
   
   
3.  Paint-On Gels
   Paint-on gels are used in a similar way as whitening strips, but the gel is brushed on the teeth instead of applied to a tray. Like whitening strips,  paint-on gels are a fast, convenient, and relatively mess-free way to get results. Strips and paint-on gels usually take between 2-21 days to show results.
   
   
4.  Whitening Toothpaste
   Some at-home whitening treatments come in the form of toothpaste and contain mild abrasives that cleanse and polish the surface of your teeth. Some toothpaste contains sodium tripolyphosphate that can break down and dissolve stains. Many of these have a foaming action that helps disperse the active ingredients. And some toothpaste brands make your teeth look less yellow by using optical illusion. They contain a chemical called blue covarine which is deposited on the surface of the teeth while you brush.
   
5.  Whitening Toothbrushes
   Toothbrush technology has come a long way in the past couple of decades. You can now buy toothbrushes containing a unique calcium carbonate that’s embedded in the brush head. They remove stains using micro-whitening technology that can whiten your teeth while you brush. And, the increase in popularity of electric and battery-operated toothbrushes that clean with the aid of pulsating and multi-leveled brushes – all of which are pretty good at removing surface stains. 
   
   
6.  Mouthwashes & Rinses
   Mouthwashes and rinses are no longer just for getting rid of bad breath. There are now formulas that oxygenate stains and clean the surface of the teeth at the same time – both before and after brushing. Adding one or more of these products to your regimen can make a significant impact on your smile.
   
7.  All-Natural Teeth Whitening
   If you want to go the “all-natural” route, try making your own toothpaste from a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. It will be a bit abrasive and have some bleaching action as well. Or make a paste from table salt and warm water. You can also try rinse made from diluted apple cider or white vinegar and water. Use it after you brush to help remove stains. But, caution – don’t use it every day because too much can damage your tooth enamel.

But…The Very Best At-Home Whitening Treatment Is…

Stay Healthy! Prevent yellow and brown stains by not smoking or using nicotine products. Steer clear of staining foods such as cherries, blueberries, and beets. Cut down on coffee, tea, and red wine – they are all notorious teeth stainers. Limit your intake of enamel-eating beverages such as cola and citrus juices. And brush after every meal.