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Teeth whitening

Everyone wants to have that perfect smile. Your smile is the first thing that people notice about you. Obviously keeping our teeth clean is very important, but what happens when you brush everyday and your teeth just don’t seem to get any whiter? This does not mean that your teeth are not clean, just that they are probably stained from years of eating and drinking dark colored foods and beverages. If you are a smoker then you are probably dealing with nicotine stains on your teeth as well.

So what are some of the ways you can whiten your teeth? There are several over the counter products on the market claiming to brighten your smile. From different toothpastes to whitening strips the options are growing rapidly. You can expect to spend $3-$50 depending on what type of product you choose. Some may offer minimal results and some may not. Depending on the type of active ingredient the product has and the strength of the ingredient can make a big difference. Most toothpaste’s will only take the stains off of the surface layer of the teeth but will not be able to get into the deeper layer, and in order to keep the results you must continue use of the product. Most whitening gels and strips will do a better job but do not expect to see the results right away. Often these products take up to two weeks before you achieve a noticeable difference.

Your best option for whitening your smile is at the dentist office. Although pricey, ranging from $400 to $1,000, the in office treatments usually work a little better and the effects are more noticeable. Now it’s important to realize that this price is generally the cost per treatment and also realize that depending on how dark your teeth are to begin with it may take several treatments to achieve your desired results. The teeth whitening procedure usually takes about an hour per treatment. The active ingredient used is typically carbamide peroxide. This has been proven to provide the best and quickest results. Your dentist will start by first protecting your gums. This is important since a high percentage of people using over the counter or in office treatments will develop gum irritation from the bleaching products.

Once your gums are protected with a brushed on rubber applicant, the dentist will then apply a high concentration of the peroxide gel to your teeth. Typically this will be left on for approximately 15-20 minutes and can be reapplied if needed a couple times for up to an hour. If the one hour visit did not lighten your teeth to the desired shade then you may need a second appointment to continue the whitening process. However, there is also the possibility your dentist will give you an take home teeth whitening kit, which can range anywhere from $100-$400, to continue the whitening process at home over the course of a few weeks. These take home whitening usually contain custom made trays for your mouth to hold the whitening gel in place.

Teeth whitening procedures have become very popular. Although they are pricey, thousands of people feel that having a whiter smile is worth the expense. There can be some side effects to using bleaches on your teeth, however, and they include irritated gums, sensitive teeth and the possibility of having technicolor teeth. “Technicolor teeth” is the term used when you have a crown or porcelain veneer that stands out a darker shade than the rest of your teeth. Since these dental repairs are not affected by bleaching products they may stand out after a bleaching procedure.

If you are interested in having your teeth whiter then discuss this with your dentist. If you do not feel that you can afford an in office whitening procedure then maybe your doctor will be able to recommend the best in home whitening system that meets your budget.

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Last updated on Sep 22nd, 2009 and filed under Dental Health. Both comments and pings are currently closed.