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Teeth whitening kits come in a few different “modes”. These modes that usually work the best for people include gel, strips, and direct bleaching kits. There is some disagreement as to whether or not bleaching actually is the same thing as whitening, incidentally; however we will take a look at all methods as we look at which actually have the biggest benefit.

Teeth whitening gels typically contain or are usually predominantly made of peroxide, a bleaching chemical that aids with the removal of stains and the yellowish layer of dirt on the teeth; although there are some gels that don’t contain any bleaching agent at all and are simply intended for removing stains upon the teeth. Most gels will also contain some measure of water, glycerin, sodium hydroxide, peppermint, EDTA, and saccharin of sodium.

Good gels have worked very well in clinical tests and have proven effective in removing stains upon the teeth’s enamel. Gels also get used in 15 to 20 minute whitening operations. The teeth are exposed to laser light and the gel, while the gums get covered via a gauge, plus all gaps get sealed so that the laser does not go into the mouth’s interior regions.

However, teeth whitening strips are the most popular method of teeth whitening, because they are inexpensive and the most convenient method for the procedure. These are very simply flexible pieces of thin plastic with one side coated by a thin film of hydrogen peroxide. This is a bleaching agent, the active ingredient which actually brings about the whiteness of the teeth.

The whitening strips are sold in pairs, a strip for the upper teeth and another for the bottom teeth. Typically the strips are worn for 30 minute at a time, twice a day, and usually take about two weeks to make a noticeable difference in the whiteness of the teeth. It is a highly affordable form of treatment and quick too. However, since teeth whitening strips work by bleaching, they might cause gum irritation or tooth hyper-sensitivity.

A teeth bleaching kit comes with a moldable “tray” (mouthpiece) which is submerged in hot water for a few seconds until it gets soft, and from this a bite impression is taken for fit. After shaping the trays for the upper and the lower teeth, the Carbamide Peroxide-based whitening gel gets applied to individual trays and inserted into the mouth, over the teeth. First one tray and then the other is put in place for 20 to 30 minutes.

If you don’t have overly sensitive teeth you might keep each tray in for longer at one time in order to whiten your teeth faster. The Carbamide Peroxide penetrates any porous tooth enamel and seems to bleach away discolorations resultant from staining substances like certain foods and beverages or cigarettes. Again, people who have overly-sensitive teeth must use caution with teeth bleaching kits.

So, these are the three ways in which teeth whitening is usually done today. People are getting away from laser treatments because they are expensive and the least safe method, but as mentioned above lasers are still used in conjunction with gel strips sometimes.