I'm Gellin'

Take a step up at the drugstore and look at the whitening gels that contain bleaching agents...think Crest Whitestrips. Using chemicals like carbamide or hydrogen peroxide these products are applied to your teeth in gel form or on chemically soaked strips. You leave them on for a couple of hours or overnight. Prices range from ten to forty dollars, making them a cheap alternative to the dentist's application. And you can start right away using them. Some are applied right onto your teeth with a little brush. The strips are filled with a gooey gel that then fit over your teeth. Most instructions tell you to use them twice a day for two weeks. You'll be able to see the difference in a couple of days and the look will stick around for months.

The price is about $15 for the two week gel application and depending on the product over $50 for the strip method. The carbamide peroxide mixes with water in solution and becomes hydrogen peroxide (the stuff that bleaches your hair) and urea (they say it is safe but it doesn't exactly sound like something you want in your mouth.)

Unfortunately, you don't know the actual strength of the gel nor can you moderate it for your needs. Because your gums are treated as well as your teeth they may start to ache. There is no smaller dosage to take to continue the treatment. Your option is to use the product less regularly. Another detriment to the over-the-counter whiteners is the heightening of tooth sensitivity. You could use toothpaste made especially for sensitive teeth. It contains potassium nitrate and will calm your teeth's nerves (yes, the nerves you feel when the dentist starts drilling.) The best way to choose an over-the-counter gel or strip product is to ask your friends what they have used and the results that they had from the treatment.