A lot of tooth whitening kits are available to use at home, but they can take weeks to show results. A DIY kit can also cause damage to your tooth enamel if it isn’t used properly. Your dentist can help you get whiter teeth in a fraction of the time it takes for do-it-yourself systems to work.
One whitening system is called Zoom. It’s more convenient than home whitening kits because it only requires one office visit. Your dentist applies a layer of whitening gel to your teeth. Then, they shine an LED lamp onto them to accelerate the whitening. The dentist applies a post treatment gel to finish. This treatment only takes about 45 minutes, and the Zoom system can make teeth up to 8 shades whiter.
Another option that gets good results is a bleaching tray. The trays are similar to those in a home whitening kit, but the formula is stronger and quicker acting. Your dentist will monitor the process closely to prevent damage to your enamel.
As a general rule, whitening is for people over 18 years old, in good dental health and who aren’t pregnant or nursing.