Surely you have announced on TV a great variety of tooth whitening options. You can get them from your nearest drug store or grocery store. You can choose between paint-on whiteners, whitening toothpastes, whitening strips and plastic trays with gel. Are they a good option?

The answer is: Yes, they are a good solution to choose. All of them can whiten your teeth, providing you with safe results. Cosmetic dentists use the same techniques although they are much more expensive.

We could kind of treatment do you need? It depends on the degree of whitening you need:

Simple whitening: With basic cares you can whiten your teeth with great results. Start from a basic hygiene, brushing your teeth daily after each meal. Visit your dentist at least once a year and get a teeth cleaning.

My personal trick is washing my teeth with a mixture of salt and bicarbonate least once a week. You can use your toothbrush or a finger. You will see instant results.

Most of people have darkened their teeth during ages and basic caring isn't enough. It is time to use special whitening products. You can choose between the lighter whitening toothpastes to the most powerful plastic trays with gel. The effectiveness depends on the quantity of hydrogen peroxide they have. Usually kits with whitening gel and plastic trays for your teeth have the higher hydrogen peroxide percentage. The gel is applied to the surfaces of your teeth and is left in place for fifteen minutes more or less. It is usually necessary to repeat it three or four sessions.

Last option and the most abrasive and expensive is having a treatment dispensed by a doctor or dentist. Dentists use also hydrogen peroxide but the solution is especially made for you, depending on the whitening degree you need. Sometimes dentists can give you the plastic trays with the whitening gel they prepared to be applied by yourself at home being no difference at all with gels available on your local store.

That is why I always recommend starting with the simple whitening or buying plastic trays with gel at your nearest drug store. If any of these techniques work then visit your cosmetic dentist.

Hydrogen peroxide is the basic component of every whitening method. Teeth color depends on organic substances (chrome sphere) containing double bonds without saturating. When these double bonds are oxygenated the chromium spheres become clearer or lose their color.

This is what happens in the whitening process: hydrogen peroxide is the active oxygenating substance. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down radicals that attack the double bonds of chrome spheres discoloring them.

Although all the techniques exposed in this article are safe to use, it is recommended to use a known brand to ensure the maximum effectiveness.