So what can you expect from these teeth whitening services? If you choose this way, then you choose the fastest and the safest way of making your teeth. This is true of course, that you have chosen the right provider. But do remember for good services like this one; expect to pay a premium for it. Right now, the service cost may range from $500 to $800. Even as professionally supervised teeth whitening treatments contain hydrogen peroxide as its active bleaching agent that is safe enough even for home use, over the counter preparations contain carbamide peroxide which is even safer and milder. The effects are the same. While hydrogen peroxide acts faster, carbamide peroxide when left in the mouth for a time divides into urea and hydrogen peroxide that acts on the stains by the oxidation process. While companies are aiming to give superior results every time and is continuously working at providing such, customers could sometimes fall on the side the unsatisfied. When using teeth whitening plastic strips therefore, the person has to lower the expectation. Realistically, plastic strips are designed as a do-it-yourself-at-home remedy. While studies have shown (Kugel et al) that the effect of peroxides at decreasing the tooth enamel is very insignificant, it nonetheless tends to make the teeth more sensitive for some time and when the proportion of the mix is on the strong side, the mix could result to painful gums and cause irritation to the surrounding tissues inside the mouth. When it is just a simple teeth bleaching program, especially with those who have yellowed teeth only, other alternatives works just a fine. One of the primary considerations aside from time is the cost. While over the counter whitening strips would only cost around $100, in-office whitening averages $650 upwards and take home trays around $400. The products that you can get normally from the supermarket will contain around 10 percent peroxide. And the pastes used professionally may contain up to 43 percent peroxide content. Now the next time that you are in need of teeth whitening you know where to turn no. Speaking of bleaching, this is what you need if you have yellow teeth.