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Teeth
Whitening: What
You Need To Know About Home Teeth Whitening |
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Teeth
Whitening At Home, The Benefits Of Home Teeth Whitening...
There
are many reasons why home teeth whitening is such a popular option when
considering the various choices.
We're
taking a look some positive aspects and possible pitfalls of teeth
whitening including the option of home teeth whitening.
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How
Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Stains and yellowing occurs on teeth when substances gradually work
their way into the porous surface of the tooth's enamel, usually over
months or years, and often as a result of things like drinking coffee
throughout the day or not brushing as frequently as we
should. |
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Tooth
whiteners use chemicals to create an oxidizing effect that permeates
into the enamel and breaks apart these stains. Hydrogen peroxide is the
active ingredient used to initiate this process. Some tooth whiteners
contain carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide actually breaks down
into urea and hydrogen peroxide when applied inside the mouth, so it's
really the same thing in practice.
In order for the hydrogen peroxide to effectively bleach your teeth, it
must come into direct contact with the enamel surface of each tooth.
Some whitening kits utilize strips that you apply to the teeth, but the
hydrogen peroxide may not get in between teeth as effectively as you
might like. Other kits come with mouth trays you customize to fit your
mouth - similar to the ones your dentist would make for you. You put a
small amount of the gel into the mouth tray and then push it up (or
down) onto your teeth so the gel covers each tooth and squeezes in
between them for the most effectiveness.
Depending on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the sensitivity
of your teeth, you will wear the mouth trays with the gel applied
directly to your teeth for 20 minutes up to 2 hours per day. Some
people with extremely sensitive teeth need to keep the trays in for
shorter time spans and whiten only once every other or every third day.
It can take days, weeks, or months to achieve the lighter shades you
desire. How fast whitening occurs depends on how concentrated the
hydrogen peroxide is in the gel.
A highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel is more apt to cause
increased sensitivity and tissue irritation, yet they do get the
fastest results. Tooth whitening gels that contain 15 to 35 percent
hydrogen peroxide are usually only available through your dentist and
applied in the office under supervision. The gums are usually protected
from this treatment and fluoride may be applied to help with any
sensitivity.
Your dentist may also offer you the option of whitening your teeth at
home with a gel system. These gels usually contain a lesser amount of
hydrogen peroxide - about 3.6 to 7 percent hydrogen peroxide. This is
still a higher level than most over-the-counter whiteners, and it is
often combined with sodium fluoride to help strengthen your teeth and
reduce sensitivity.
The tooth whitening kits you can purchase over the counter also contain
carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, but some of them do not tell
you the percentage used, and that can make it more difficult for people
who already have sensitive teeth to find the best gel for them with the
least likelihood of developing irritation. These kits generally have
lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than the gels used or
provided by your dentist, however, so they are less likely to cause
sensitivity and irritation; however, that is also why it takes much
longer to lighten your teeth to the desired shade.
If you decide to whiten at home with an over-the-counter whitening kit
and you do encounter gum irritation or increased sensitivity, contact
your dentist. He may be able to prescribe fluoride you can use to
decrease the sensitivity. |
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Teeth
whitening is extremely popular these days, because everyone wants to
have a beautiful white smile! And with over-the-counter teeth whitening
kits readily available, it seems like everyone is doing it. But not
everyone is smiling at the end of the process. There are a few things
you should know before you decide to |
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whiten
your teeth.
First, if you have had restorative dental work done in the past, such
as veneers or an implant, you should know that the veneers and/or
implant will not bleach lighter like your teeth will. This could result
in uneven coloring of your teeth in the end, and you may not like the
look. If, for instance, you had an implant put in two years ago, at
that time the implant was made in a shade of white to match your teeth
so it would not stand out. But if you decide to whiten your teeth now,
your teeth may change shades—possibly
becoming even whiter and brighter than the
implant—but the implant will not change.
You could end up unhappy with your smile if the teeth with the
restorative dental work stand out from the others.
Second, if your teeth are stained a blue, purple, gray, or brown tint,
bleaching products may not be all that effective. Teeth whitening kits
are ideally designed to give you a whiter, brighter smile if your teeth
have naturally yellowed somewhat, but an actual color tint on your
teeth may not get similar results.
Third, and most common, people who whiten their teeth may experience
increased tooth sensitivity and/or tissue sensitivity. In other words,
their teeth may hurt, the nerves may be particularly sensitive to warm
or cold temperatures or food and beverages, and gum tissue could become
red and swollen.
This increased sensitivity is usually temporary and can often be
remedied by brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste recommended
by your dentist specifically for sensitive teeth and gums. Your dentist
can also recommend a high fluoride treatment you can apply both before
and after the whitening treatment, utilizing the same tray you use for
the whitening process, if this is a problem for you.
Be sure your dental trays fit properly so the whitening product is not
unnecessarily coming into contact with gums and mouth tissues, as well.
An ill-fitting tray can cause extra sensitivity that can be avoided by
getting a properly fitted whitening tray.
You may also just want to give your teeth and gums a break from the
teeth whitening program for a while, as well. If the whitener is
causing discomfort, stop whitening for several days or switch to doing
it every other day rather than every day. This will give your body a
chance to recover between exposures to the peroxide and other
ingredients.
As always, if in doubt about whether whitening your teeth is right for
you, consult your personal dentist for a recommendation.
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Many
people purchase and use the home teeth whitening kits available over
the
counter and are pleased with the results. The cost of the ready-made
kits usually ranges between $10 and $35, as opposed to $100 and up if
you go to a dentist for whitening treatments. So strictly from a cost
standpoint, over-the-counter whitening kits are very
attractive. |
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There
are, however, some advantages to having your teeth whitened
professionally by your dentist versus doing it on your own.
Probably the most important benefit to having your dentist whiten your
teeth is that your dentist will be looking at your overall oral health
in conjunction with doing your whitening procedure. Your dentist will
ensure that your teeth have been properly cleaned and examined and any
cavities filled prior to whitening—to
reduce the chance of sensitivity and gum irritation. He will also do
other routine checks to ensure your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy.
When you have a whitening procedure completed in a
dentist's office, the dentist will use
protective devices or gels that cover your gums and tissues so that the
hydrogen peroxide which breaks down the
stains but can also irritate gums and cause tooth
sensitivity—will not come into contact
with delicate tissues. This helps reduce the chance that you will
experience pain or sensitivity during or after the procedure.
If you do experience discomfort, the dentist can apply fluoride and
other treatments to help reduce sensitivity, as well.
The dentist also has access to a much stronger
gel with a higher concentration of
hydrogen peroxide than is available over
the counter. So the gel product that will be used on your teeth at a
dental office is much more effective at whitening and shows visible
results after only one treatment because it is more powerful. You
won't need to wear whitening strips or
trays day after day to get the results you want. While you may still
want to have several treatments with your dentist for the maximum
effect, the whitening effect is achieved more dramatically and over a
shorter timeframe when your dentist whitens your teeth than when you do
it on your own.
There are both pros and cons to home teeth whitening versus
going to the dentist for a professional whitening procedure. Educate
yourself about the various procedures and products available so you can
make the best decision for you.
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There
are at least two home teeth whitening options available for individuals
today as well as several professional options. Individuals that have
healthy teeth and those that have healthy
gums may benefit from these whitening methods. Individuals that have
teeth that have been restored in one fashion or another may not benefit
in the same manner as those who have had no restoration work. |
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Teeth
whitening options assist those who find that their teeth have yellow
stains and/or tints. In this guide, I will share the three main teeth
whitening options that are available, as well as general pricing
associated with each.
Mouth Rinses for Whitening
Today, there are many mouth rinses for whitening that are sold over the
counter. Standard mouthwash is a productive agent when it comes to
providing the user with fresh breath by killing germs commonly found in
the mouth and eliminating the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. In
addition to this, these rinses have been discovered to drastically
lower the opportunity for gum disease to develop. Manufacturers and
dental teams decided that if a mouthwash could accomplish these tasks,
it could be possible to create a rinse that would whiten teeth and that
is just what they did! By simply adding ingredients that are known to
strip away the sign of discoloration, such as hydrogen peroxide, the
teeth whitening mouthwash was established. Today, you can discover
these products in the dental hygiene section of pharmacies, department
stores, and several other retailers. A rinse that is designed to last
at least a month typically costs the consumer less than $10.00! The
downside to these products is that the user typically has to wait a
longer period of time prior to seeing results. When it comes to teeth
whitening options, rinses are the newest option to hit the shelves.
Strips and Gels for Teeth Whitening
There are several strips and gels designed specifically for home teeth
whitening. These teeth whitening options implement the use of hydrogen
peroxide in order to deliver results. The strips are typically coated
with a small amount through the means of a film. Generally, the
directions for strips indicate usage of once to twice daily for a
specified amount of time, such as ten minutes, and for a certain number
of days. The price associated with these dental care products range
from as low as $10.00 to as high as $75.00, depending on the name
brand, strength, and amount purchased. Gels are typically composed of
nearly one hundred percent hydrogen peroxide and are applied directly
to the teeth through the use of a brush or other utensil. For a two
week supply, individuals may pay approximately $20.00. Users who are
interested in teeth whitening options often find that results are seen
quickly through using these whitening applications.
Professional Teeth Whitening
One of the most common teeth whitening options is professional
whitening services that are delivered in a dental facility. For
individuals that are seeking instant results, this is considered the
most effective measure. Naturally, a qualified dentist or dental
assistant will apply a high powered cleaning solution on the teeth.
From there, a dental professional will engage in the cleaning process.
This may be through the means of a special light that implements the
use of laser technology, a high powered cleaning brush, or even through
the means of heat. For this procedure, you may pay anywhere from
$100.00 to $1,000.00 – however, it is
considered to be the preferred choice in teeth whitening options due to
the immensity and rapidness of the results.
Conclusion
There are many teeth whitening options available for individuals just
like you. Age, certain foods, certain beverages, medications, smoking,
and even medical conditions can naturally tarnish the teeth. We all
want to have a beautiful smile, and there are many options available to
help in this endeavor. Mouth rinses, gels, strips, and professional
cleanings are just a few among the most common teeth whitening options
available to individuals today.
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