General Health Information

Products and advertisements about teeth whitening tempted many of us
and it’s no question it is considered the latest craze in town. This is
so with the promise of a dazzling Hollywood smile, however, not
everyone has the opportunity to launch into whitening teeth. There are
those who should be warned to wait for their perfect time before going
into any teeth whitening system. They include (1) children under 12
years, (2) people with tooth-colored veneers, fillings, caps or crowns,
(3) pregnant women, and people with receding gums. This group seems to
be at increased risk of sensitivity to teeth bleaching. Those born with natural sensitivity may not be able to tolerate bleaching.

The availability and affordability of so many over-the-counter teeth-whitening products
becomes so useful for those who crave for that bright smile. There are
kits or products that come in strips, gels or tray applicators, which
work as a mold around the teeth. Teeth whitening procedures through a
dentist’s office can also be accessible for anyone. You may prefer to
choose to take the less expensive, over-the-counter route, what kind of
results should you expect? The kits and products you buy at a drug or
grocery store can be effective, affordable and easy to use, but before
launching into any of these, be prepared to repeat the whitening
process with kits and products you buy over the counter, since the
whiteners usually don’t last very long. A dentist can prescribe
stronger chemicals that can keep your teeth white for six months to one
year. Only if you follow the instructions and don’t go overboard,
bleaching does not harm your teeth however, the bleach can reduce
surface stains from food, beverages or cigarettes, but not deeper
blemishes within the tooth. Bleaching your teeth too much can cause
permanent discoloration, damage to the tooth’s root and gum sensitivity.

Everybody is born with a wonderful set of white teeth, which add to
your beauty when they are exposed by your smile, while talking or
eating. Depending upon our lifestyles, upon what we eat and how and
with what we brush our teeth, changes occur and the teeth become dull,
yellow, gray or even black (this is particularly when the person smokes
a lot as nicotine tents to deposit itself on the back and sometimes
even on the front of the teeth). There are indeed many ways by which
teeth can be whitened. However, according to the reports there are only
two teeth whitening and bleaching
that are most commonly used. First, the office bleach which is the
fast-forward type where a higher level of chemical is applied to the
teeth to get fast results. As with every high dosage things, there
would usually be side effects in this connection there could be
chemical burns if not used correctly or left on for too long. However,
this method also does work, and it works fast since there is a high
concentration of oxidizing agents. Secondly, the teeth whitening strip
which is a similar teeth whitening and bleaching system as the above,
with the exception that it has its chemical on a strip of polyethylene
which would need to be stuck on the teeth about twice a day over the
course of 3-4 weeks. It is a slow process because the main ingredient
is a less potent one hydrogen peroxide; however, it shows result in the
end.

In cosmetic dentistry, procedures like teeth whitening is usually taken
up to help in improving one’s aesthetics. If you look at it, people
usually go for it when they are faced with an important interview and
what to make an excellent first impression. It is true that a nice and
presentable self improves the possibility of a positive outcome from
the interview greatly. Some individuals go for teeth whitening system
before they marry for the same reasons. The whitening of the teeth
makes one more confident and happy about oneself. The beautiful set of
teeth makes the smile dazzling in the real sense of the word. Hence,
the attraction between the husband and wife will be enhanced too.

A highly effective way of lightening the natural color of the teeth
without removing any of the tooth surface is the procedure called
“teeth whitening”. While it cannot make a complete color change it can
lighten the existing shade of the teeth. In general dentistry most
especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening or teeth
bleaching is a common procedure. A child’s deciduous teeth are
generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. The procedure to
bleach teeth uses oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or
carbamide peroxide to lighten the shade of the tooth. The teeth bleaching agent
is typically less than 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent. Bleaching is
least effective if your teeth have white spots, decay or infected gums.
Bleaching is most effective with yellow discolored teeth.

Some of the advantages of having teeth whitened with teeth whitening processes:

1. Improves appearance dramatically - It is an excellent way to
improve one’s appearance. This is why the teeth-whitening is becoming a
hot trend among the 21st century crowd. Having a beautiful smile is now
within the reach of anybody who wants it.

2. Improves self-confidence looking god very often influences how
people feel about themselves. Hence, the teeth-whitening process also
improves a person’s self confidence and the personal feel-good factor.

3. Improves attractiveness it is easier to kiss someone who has
excellent looking teeth rather than one who has brown or yellow stained
teeth. Hence, this process also improves the overall attractiveness
which is another great reason why this process is gradually becoming a
hot trend.

Here are some negative consequences of launching into a teeth whitening system:

1. Too high expectations the hype and advertisements increase the
expectations of people to such extent that they expect too much out the
process. The teeth whitening definitely makes a great difference to
your smile however, the level of white very much depends upon the type
of stains you have and how these were acquired.

2. Dangers of getting sensitive teeth if you are not careful and use
the DIY kits indiscriminately you might develop sensitive teeth which
can be a great problem for the rest of your life.

3. Cost the professional teeth whitening is still on the higher side, though within the reach of the common man.

Overall the teeth whitening is gradually becoming one of the
favorite ways of improving appearance for the simple reason that it is
fast and affordable.

The number of teeth bleaching procedures
performed in dentists’ offices has increased by more than 300 percent
in the past five years. But while in-office treatment can get your
teeth up to 10 shades whiter, it can also set you back as much as $800.
Over-the-counter kits promise to lighten for a whole lot less - but
which ones really deliver? A national evaluation is to be conducted
using the latest products sold in drugstores to find what teeth
whitening product really works best. Also to find out which of these
kits remove higher degree of surface stain, leaving teeth noticeably
whiter, and to test which of these products were easier, better tasting
and more effective than others.

Oral health experts caution that bleaching carries with it some risks
that consumers should discuss with their dentists, especially if they
are going to bleach their teeth using at-home teeth bleaching systems.
Discussing these risks as part of a regular examination can help head
off undesirable consequences. Oral health experts enumerate the risks
associated with bleaching. which include tooth sensitivity and damage
to the roots of teeth. Dentists may be able to help patients alleviate
sensitivity and recommend toothpastes designed to treat sensitive
teeth. Dentists can also monitor patients for signs of root damage and
treat the condition if detected in time.