Despite maintaining oral hygiene and using the best oral products, changes in the shape and appearance of our teeth are inevitable. However, teeth whitening can help remove severe discoloration and stains and increase self-confidence and appearance. While DIY teeth whitening products are cheaper, professional in-office whitening at a dentist’s clinic is more effective and long-lasting.

Types of teeth whitening treatments
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry process that lightens the teeth’s color using bleaches, light therapy, or sanding down methods. Whitening treatments are safe, painless, and effective on stains caused by external factors like injury, eating habits, smoking, and internal factors like disease or infection. While choosing DIY kits or products, talk to your dentist to avoid side effects. Sensitivity and inflammation are common and may disappear in a day or two. The main ingredients of most teeth-whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in various concentrations. The three most popular teeth-whitening treatments are as follows:

• In-office whitening: In this procedure, dental professionals use medical-grade peroxide to lighten the color. They often use bleach and laser whitening methods; however, they will recommend the best method for you based on the severity of the discoloration or staining.
• Professionally dispensed take-home kits: These consist of bleaching trays and less-concentrated peroxide. Your dentist will teach you how to use it at home. You must follow the instructions correctly to get the best result.
• Teeth whitening products: Products like gels, toothpaste, whitening strips, and rinses contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains and lighten the color of your teeth.

Types of teeth whitening services
Most dental clinics offer teeth whitening as a service. The dentists do a comprehensive oral examination, especially if you have fillings or crowns, to decide if bleaching is safe. If the discoloration is severe, they try to understand the cause and quiz you about your food habits, oral hygiene routine, etc. They check your sensitivities, prepare a customized whitening tray, and apply the gel. It may take about an hour for the treatment to be over. They then evaluate the outcome and decide if you require one or more sittings. The dentist also advises you on possible side effects, like sensitivity, that you may feel for some time.
It is advisable to use in-house whitening services for the first time if the stains are too much or if you have any cavities, crowns, fillings, or other oral or gum diseases.

Teeth whitening cost
Laser whitening is the most expensive method and costs $1,000 on average. The average cost of in-house bleach treatments is around $600. While professional, custom-made teeth-whitening trays cost between $200 and $400, the ones you can pick up in pharmacies or supermarkets are available for between $50 and $200. Teeth-whitening products like strips, pastes, pens, gels, and rinses are available for $5 to $50.

Different types of top teeth whitening products
Some of the popular teeth whitening products and the leading brands under each category are as follows:

• At-home whitening kits are available online and at pharmacies and supermarkets. They contain trays and a whitening gel and may have additional features like LED activating light. A few products are mentioned below:
  • Auraglow
  • Crest3D
  • Smile Direct
• Teeth whitening strips are easy to use and quite cheap. You have to place the strips on your teeth for some time and remove them. A few products are mentioned below:
  • Crest 3D
  • Moon
  • Oral Essentials

• There are certain teeth-whitening toothpaste that may work for mild stains. There are as follows:
  • Colgate
  • Moon
  • Tom’s of Maine

• Teeth whitening pens contain a peroxide-based serum, which you must apply to your teeth formulations. A few products are as follows:
  • Auraglow
  • ARC
  • Lumineux