Almost everyone wants whiter teeth. When it comes to teeth whitening, there are two main options—in-office based teeth whitening or at-home care. Both of these teeth whitening options mainly make use of peroxide-based bleaching agents in order to get the best results. The only difference is just the percentage of peroxide that they contain. The at-home system contains about 3% to 20% peroxide, whereas the in-office system contains about 15% to 43% of peroxide.

The longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth will become. However, if the percentage of peroxide is high in the whitening solution that you are using, it is then better to just apply it on your teeth for a short duration. This is because keeping the teeth whitening gel on for a longer time will dehydrate your tooth and also increase tooth sensitivity. Let’s take a look at these two teeth whitening systems in detail:

1. In-office teeth whitening
Teeth whitening done by your dentist can definitely get your teeth brighter much faster. The bleaching solution that is used at the dental clinic is much stronger than the at-home kits. The dentist also makes use of heat, light, or a combination of the two, and this may be used to speed up and intensify the whitening process. For dramatic results where your teeth will be three to eight shades brighter, you will need to spend several visits of around 30 to 60 minutes. Some dentists, however, make use of techniques like the Zoom system that can get your teeth whiter in just one two-hour session. Although the cost of in-office teeth whitening varies, they can range anywhere between $500 to $1000.

2. At-home teeth whitening
There are many choices for whitening teeth at home. Some of the most common ones are as follows:

• Tooth whitening strips and gels: These peroxide-based tooth bleaching products need to be applied to your teeth once or twice a day for around 10 to 14 days. They can be applied to the teeth with the help of a brush or a thin strip. This at-home teeth whitening product may cost from $10 to $55, and when used properly, the results last for around four months or more.
• Tray-based tooth whitening systems: This system includes a mouth guard-like tray that is filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel or a paste. This is then placed over your teeth for one to several hours a day for up to four weeks. You can either buy this teeth whitening system over-the-counter or have one custom-fitted by your dentist. The cost can range from $150 to $600.
• Teeth whitening toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste contains chemicals or polishing agents that help to scrub your teeth of stains without the aid of a bleaching agent. These toothpaste are relatively inexpensive and help in brightening your teeth by around one shade. Although some toothpaste contain peroxide in them, they aren’t left on the teeth long enough to have any adverse effects.

It is important to note that you will need to maintain the results of teeth whitening achieved by brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth daily.