Over the Counter
For at-home teeth whitening, there are many different over- the-counter products available in California. Cosmetic dental strips placed on the teeth for whitening purposes are usually worn twice daily for 30 minute intervals. The strength of the strip depends on the degree of peroxide. Naturally, the strips with a higher concentration of peroxide are intended to be worn for fewer days than those with lower concentrations. These OTC teeth whitening kits are equipped with strips designed to fit the top and bottom rows of teeth. Zoom whitening gel is an at-home product that requires custom fitted trays made by your dentist.
Whitening strips were introduced as an alternative to tray whitening techniques. Often called Night Guard Vital Bleaching, this at-home procedure consists of placing a bleaching solution (a peroxide mixture) into a previously custom-fitted tray or "night guard". The bleaching solutions may vary in potency and may be worn from one hour to an entire night, depending on the severity of stains. In some cases, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects when having teeth bleached as hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations.
For optimal whitening, experts agree that peroxide administered by a dentist or at-home is most effective in bleaching stains caused by age, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Based on clinical studies, 96 % of patients with these kinds of stains experience some lightening effect. It is important to note, however, that overuse of over-the-counter home bleaching products may wear away tooth enamel, particularly solutions that contain acid.