According to Martin Giniger, a dental professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, there is a growing array of whitening products has arrived on store shelves, costing between $15 and $30 each, compared to professional treatment from a dentist at a cost of $300 or more (Uhlman Pp). Giniger says that peroxide gels are safe when used as directed any that problems arise usually involve gum irritation or tooth sensitivity (Uhlman Pp).

Dentist administered teeth bleaching has earned the American Dental Association seal of approval, but over-the-counter whitening systems have not been approved yet due to insufficient clinical studies (Fishman Pp). Custom-fitted trays prepared by the dentist for home use cost about half as much as those performed in the dentist's...

Over-the-counter whitening kits generally contain as little as 5% peroxide and most, according to the ADA, are minimally effective (Fishman Pp).
Works Cited

Nuss, Ellen F. "How safe is tooth bleaching?" The Dental Assistant. 5/1/2004; Pp.

Laser treatments OK'd for tooth decay." FDA Consumer. 7/1/1997; Pp.

Howe, D.K. "To Bleach or not to Bleach?" American Fitness. 7/1/2001; Pp.

Uhlman, Marian. "Demand Rises for Teeth-Bleaching Processes as Americans

Seek Whiter Smiles." Knight Ridder/Tribune News. 3/10/2003; Pp.

Fishman, Harvey M. "The big oral care trend: blinded by the white."

Household & Personal Products Industry. 10/1/2003; Pp.