## Whiten at home Home whitening is considered the safest because of the non-aggressive material. Manufacturers deliberately put a minimum of "chemistry" into the composition of these products so that the patient does not swallow anything unnecessary without supervision. The downside is ===the duration of the process (as a rule, several procedures are required). Another downside is modest results — the teeth, of course, will become lighter. However, they will not be as white as professional whitening in your dentist’s office. ## Professional whitening Your dentist may offer several types of whitening: __Chemical:__ To transform a smile, two very active ingredients are mixed. The "impact" force causes the whitening process to take place. The disadvantage of the procedure is that it is more expensive compared to the home option. However, it is more effective as well as safer to leave it to a professional. __Zoom/Chemical__ whitening with the addition of light or heat: Heat and light are “connected” to the sacrament. Aimed at each specific tooth, they enhance the effect of drugs, speeding up the process. The disadvantage of Zoom whitening is that with heat-light stimulation, substances behave more aggressively. The advantage of this procedure is that it is quick and has a noticeable effect. __Laser:__ In this method, the work of the oxygen peroxide is stimulated by the laser waves. The chemical composition then acts on the pigment in a point and filigree manner. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive than other methods and not performed in as many offices as others. However, it results in perfectly even whitening and produces a “Wow” effect. ## Who shouldn’t whiten? Children under 14 years old, adults with multiple cavities, undeveloped enamel structure and the so-called tetracycline teeth (when color changes look like an anomaly) are not candidates for having their teeth safely whitened. Those with varying degrees of tooth pulp should be handled with caution. For these patients, the dentist should use intrapulpal technology for the "dead" pulp. In this process, the material that lies on the surface after the canal filling is removed and a whitening system is put in its place. Tooth sensitivity is not a complete contraindication to whitening. It is important that you seek out a dental professional so they can determine the cause of your problem. If it is cavities or exposed necks of the teeth, there is a medical treatment algorithm that will be used. After that, the dentist will determine whether you should start whitening. ## "Toothed" myths The cliché about the dangers of bleaching dates back to the 20th century when people began to try to achieve Hollywood beauty with aggressive drugs, acids, and other enamel products to “bleach” the teeth. Modern means are much more effective and many times safer than their predecessors. No wonder that in America and in many countries of Western Europe teeth whitening has become a part of everyday hygiene. The myth that red wine, ketchup, and coffee should not be consumed for at least two weeks after bleaching has been debunked by dentists. It is worth refraining from "colored" products for a maximum of several hours, however, until a pellicle is formed around the tooth.