It has to be said that the teeth whitening process is in general are not appropriate for everybody. It is always worth getting professional advice before starting any course of treatment. Your dentist will be able to tell which of the many options would be best for you. Some of them may not be of use in your particular circumstances.

The problem that people face is the seeming extra safety of having a procedure carried out by a dentist, against the major cost saving of home treatment. Will the home teeth whitening product be safe and will it be as effective to use? Is it easy to follow the instructions and if you do, are there any possible side effects? What are the arguments?

To provide a safe over the counter product, the teeth gel is of a lower concentration than you would get from a dentist. So one question that people ask is, with less of the active ingredients, can they produce worthwhile results? But there is also a sort of conspiracy theory, that refutess this.

Do unscrupulous companies use a more concentrated bleaching agent than they claim, so that their gel will work? It is even suggested that abrasive materials are added that can be potentially damaging to tooth enamel. I think that neither of these theories stand up to scrutiny. If you stick to licensed products you should be OK. The penalties for such practices, would be too costly to contemplate.

Good companies do extensive clinical tests before they will put their products onto the market. Some research on their websites showyou the results of these trials, and if you want to be extra sur, you can find the links back to the original source documents. It would be similarly costly to their bottom line and their reputation, to make claims that they cannot back up with solid evidence.

Most of these treatments involve placing a tray over your teeth containing the gel, for periods of thirty minutes to an hour. This is not too uncomfortable, but it is an inconvenient and you are not likely to do it for longer than you need to. Some products are intended for overnight use and companies boast of how long their gel stays active, compared to lesser rivals.

Wearing the device for too long will probably just mean that the gel has become inactive. I think we can safely say that these products are regarded as safe. The other question is, are they as effective as a couple of visits to the dentist.

Here again, it is very unwise for companies to make claims unsubstantiated claims. After all, if the product didn't work, there are millions of users who would be shouting about it. So how good are the results, how quick and how long do they last?After two visits with your dentist, your dazzling new smile is in place. And with the right aftercare, it can last for as long as 15 years, but it could be as short as 5.

Some of the home teeth gel treatments claim a noticeable difference after only one hour and that with repeated treatments that you can reach the same levels on the dental comparison charts that you would get from professional whitening. And they could be just as lasting. So, are they a worthwhile alternative?

As I said at the start, it is worth consulting your dentist, but home whitening is definitely worth a shot. And remember, you are not limited to over the counter products, your dentist can supply you with a customised solution.

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