Teeth bleaching procedures for teeth whitening

This is a kind of chemical process used to lighten the color of the patient’s teeth. This procedure can be done at a dentist’s office with the materials offered by the dentist. There is also the home method available that saves the patient the trouble of having to go to the dentist’s office.

Before the patient can actually start the procedure for teeth whitening at home, the dentist creates a custom made tray for him or her.

This is a very important item, because it ensures the patient that he or she is using the right amount of whitening solution and it also makes sure that all the teeth are equally exposed to the whitening agent.

The custom made trays are a lot more suitable for this procedure than the ones that are one-size-fits-all-mouth.

The teeth whitening procedures performed at home are quite easy. The dentists offer the patients everything that they need and they also answer all the questions that the patients may have. You can also get a phone number to call in case you happen to have any further questions.

The procedure for teeth whitening at home usually lasts for about 2-3 hours. During this time you will need to keep the tray in your mouth. According to the needs and expectations that you have, the dentists might instruct you to keep the tray in your mouth overnight. In the majority of the teeth whitening procedures you will have to follow the instructions of the dentist for 2-3 weeks and then return to the office of the dentist for follow-up visits.

How long does it last?

You should remember that the procedures for teeth whitening don’t offer permanent results. The results that you achieve could last for one or more years, according to your habits. Usually these kinds of procedures are very effective and the patients are pleased with the results.

The costs

The standard teeth whitening procedures cost about $500. Naturally the costs may vary according to the region that you are living in and the type of teeth whitening that you opt for. As an example, laser teeth whitening costs more, of about $1000. The home procedures for teeth whitening are less expensive, of about $50 and $100.

The whitening strips that you can find in stores are even cheaper, of $25 for the entire system.

Usually the more visits you need to make to the dentist, the more expensive the entire procedure will become. Also keep in mind that in the majority of the cases the costs related to the teeth whitening procedures aren’t covered by the health insurance policies, so this is something that you have to entirely pay out of your pocket. Is it really worth it?

One tip for teeth whitening: visit the dentist

In order to have whiter teeth you shouldn’t forget about the regular visits to the dentist’s office. A lot of people think that this isn’t that important, but in case you have your regular visits it will be easier for you to keep your teeth white, unless you are a smoker.

Brush and floss

Another one of the tips for teeth whitening is not to forget to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. It is important to floss before bedtime and you could also get a cheap gum massager as well.

The main point is not to allow for plaque to build up, so that there will be no stains on your teeth.

You could carry floss with you, and use it even if you are eating out. The flossing around bedtime is the most important, because the bacteria have 6-9 hours to work around the teeth enamel. As part of the teeth whitening tips you should also remember to rinse your mouth every time you eat.

Avoid fluoride

You shouldn’t be drinking water with added fluoride and avoid those toothpastes that are known to have this substance because it has been proved to stain and color your teeth. In many countries water with fluoride has been banned.

Coffee and tea

The tips for teeth whitening also include the fact that you should be careful about drinking coffee and tea because they are known to be staining the teeth. In case you are drinking coffee or tea, you should rinse your mouth right after you are done.

Fruits

If you are looking for teeth whitening tips, you should know that there are some fruits that are known to work as teeth whiteners, like strawberries. You can rub them against your teeth or mash them and make a paste of them. Leave the paste on for about 5 minutes and then rinse your mouth.

The inside of an orange peel can also be used for teeth whitening. As a tip for teeth whitening, you could rub the peel right on your teeth. There are also some people who say that using lemon juice mixed with salt offers great results as well. Anyway, in case you use any of these natural methods, make sure that you rinse your mouth afterwards.

Baking soda

Among the teeth whitening tips there is also baking soda that has been used for centuries. Nowadays a lot of the toothpastes have baking soda as one of the ingredients, due to its effectiveness. As a tip for teeth whitening, you could make your own teeth whitening product, through mixing baking soda with water and salt.

All of these teeth whitening tips are said to be working effectively and efficiently.

The different whiteners for teeth come in the shape of mouthwashes, chewing gum, toothpaste, bleaches, polishes and different kinds of procedures. Every person could try using different kinds of teeth whiteners, but the results that they end up are varying and it is also difficult to predict the color that they are going to end up with.

As an example there is the whitener for teeth known as Crest White Strips that you can find at just any drugstore for about $34. People who have tried it say that because of gum sensitivity they have to stop using the product for a day or two.

After finishing the treatment some of the users saw little change in the color of their teeth.

The spokesperson of the company producing these teeth whiteners said that the individual results may vary among the users, but millions of customers have used the products with visible results. The manufacturer promises a change of six shades.

There has been another product tried out, called Go Smile. This whitener for teeth is more expensive than the previous one, it costs $90 and you have to paint the whitening solution on your teeth. Some of the consumers have been disappointed by the product because it didn’t deliver the promised results. One of the main problems was that the gel can be easily washed off.

The advantage of the other teeth whiteners is that they come with a tray that stays pressed against your teeth. Nonetheless we shouldn’t judge a product based on the experience of a small number of people.

There has also been tried an expensive whitener for the teeth that is being used by the dentists. The cost could vary between $300 and $600. Also some of the dentists want you to buy the trays that cost just about the same amount of money. The people who have tried this method say that they saw some change in the color of their teeth so they are pleased with the results.

We should also remember that the results of the teeth whiteners fade back. This refers to the darkening that occurs due to drinking red wine, smoking or drinking coffee. In case you have been using whitener for your teeth, you also have to maintain the results that you have achieved.

How do the teeth whiteners work?

The majority of these kinds of products contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that is able to remove the stains from the teeth so that they become less visible. The level of whitening depends on the strength of the whitening agent; it is not the same if you get your teeth whitened at a dentist or you use an over-the-counter product. Also remember that the heavily stained teeth will show less whitening.

In case you dissolve the teeth whitening baking soda in water, it cleans the teeth efficiently because it is able to scrape off the yellow and brown stains that you have on your teeth caused by age and wear. The free radicals of the mixture are able to penetrate the enamel of the teeth and lighten the stains, offering a whiter appearance.

Teeth whitening with baking soda

All you have to do for efficient teeth whitening is to take a small glass and add a teaspoon of baking soda to it and also a pinch of salt. Dissolve the mixture in water until you achieve a paste.

Use the paste to brush your teeth as you would normally. After using baking soda teeth whitening you simply have to rinse your mouth.

In case you happen to feel a tingling sensation while whitening your teeth, you shouldn’t worry, this is normal.

Take caution

You shouldn’t use this kind of paste too often. It is enough to brush your teeth with baking soda teeth whitening only once or twice a week because baking soda is quite abrasive and it could damage the enamel of the teeth if you use it too often. Also remember that baking soda can dissolve orthodontic glue, so this isn’t suitable for you in case you have permanent retainer or you wear braces.

You shouldn’t think about teeth whitening baking soda as the best solution for achieving white teeth. It is rather a maintenance tool to make sure that your teeth look their best. In case you combine this method with one of the teeth whitening methods, you will be able to have a truly bright smile.

Another solution for using teeth whitening baking soda is to wet your toothbrush and then dip it into baking soda. Make sure that all the bristles of the toothbrush are covered by baking soda.  Then brush your teeth normally for about two minutes with the baking soda.

In the end spit out the baking soda teeth whitening mixture resulted from brushing and rinse your mouth with clean water. It is not good to have baking soda in your mouth for a long period of time. At this moment you shouldn’t have a burning feeling in your mouth. If it is caused by the teeth whitening baking soda then you have problems. In the end rinse your mouth with mouthwash to get rid of the taste of the soda.

As an alternative, you should put a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the baking soda after you have added it to your toothbrush. Baking soda teeth whitening could be done simultaneously with using your regular toothpaste without doing anything special.

There are some gels for teeth whitening that can be applied just like toothpaste and they remove the stains as long as they are in contact with the teeth. Nonetheless a lot of people criticize this kind of gel because it has a decreased level of effectiveness and after rinsing there will be very little gel left on the teeth.

Other gels are used with the help of bleaching trays. Some of these are generic, meaning that they are suitable for the teeth of every person.

This is why the effectiveness of these gels for teeth whitening can be questioned, since the dental structure of people isn’t the same.

The main idea is to fill the trays with bleaching gel and then fit it to the teeth of the user while sleeping. This way the gel stays on the teeth for a longer period of time, and it has time to make its effect.

There are also the whitening strips that also have teeth whitening gel. One side of the strip has gel and it is stuck to the teeth. It is also possible to paint bleaching gel to the teeth during the night. The disadvantage of this method is that you cannot close your mouth until the gel dries.

Carbamide peroxide

In the majority of the cases this is the bleaching agent used in gels for teeth whitening. It is also known as urea peroxide and it is made of hydrogen peroxide compounded with urea. The concentration that the dentists are using is of 35%. The products that you can use at home have strength between 10% and 35%.

In case the gel is stronger than 60% it will cause burns to the eyes, gums and skin. There are some people who believe that carbon peroxide is superior to hydrogen peroxide or the other way around. The truth is that they are equally effective and the teeth whitening gel made of them offer about the same results if it is correctly used.

How about side effects?

In the majority of the cases gels for teeth whitening have no side effects because the ones that are used at home are never stronger than 35%. Still it is quite common to feel that your teeth are sensitive after bleaching, especially in case of cool air.

How to choose the right product?

Every kind of teeth whitening gel has some pros and cons and so we cannot say that one of them is the ‘best’. It is up to you what kind of gel for teeth whitening you choose. The decision you make should be based on the time you have, how dedicated you are, what expectations you have, and how much money you have for the teeth whitening gel.

Pros of teeth whitening strips

The strips for teeth whitening can be considered relatively new products. The main idea behind it has been to offer the customers less messy, less expensive, more convenient and effective results compared to the other existing methods on the market.

The advantage of the strips for teeth whitening is that they are flexible, since they are made of plastic and they are coated by bleaching agents that adhere to the teeth. You can buy pairs of strips, for the upper and lower teeth and they should cover those teeth that are visible when you smile.

Unlike the other methods, the teeth whitening strips are applied only to that portion of the teeth that is visible, and just like the other products this has to be kept in the mouth for a certain period of time.

You can use the stripes while watching TV, doing household chores, working out or doing any other activity.

In the majority of the cases the whitening agent used in the stripes for teeth whitening is carbamide peroxide. There are also some strips that use hydrogen peroxide but these come only with 6% strength, while the others have 10%-20% strength.

Because carbamide peroxide isn’t as strong as hydrogen peroxide, it takes about two weeks to achieve visible results.

Another advantage of the teeth whitening strips is that the stripes are thin and they are comfortable to use, unlike the bleaching trays that are bulky and that could aggravate the existing jaw problems, trigger gag reflex and they are more difficult to wear and to remove. Strips allow people to do a wide range of activities while using them.

Cons of strips for teeth whitening

There are also some downsides of the teeth whitening strips. One of them is that the adhesive that is used might not adhere to the teeth as it should and the strip could fall off. This could be a problem in case of those people that are using the strips while sleeping.

Even more, the results that you achieve while using strips for teeth whitening will never be as good as the ones that you would get in case you visited a professional dentist.

Every kind of cosmetic enhancement is very subjective. Although the companies are continuously trying to improve their products, you could still be unsatisfied by them. In case you choose to use teeth whitening strips, you should lower your expectations.

The truth is that the strips have been designed to offer a home remedy for teeth whitening, and they have been created for general use, unlike the gel trays that have been created by professionals to be suitable for your personal needs.

Brush-on at home teeth whitening

This procedure seems to be simple, because all you have to do is to brush the product on your teeth, allow it to dry and then let it on during the night. Sadly there are two main flaws of this method. One of them is that the main point would be to allow the product to dry on your teeth. In case it gets wet, for example because of the saliva, it is very easy to rub it off.

In case a part of the whitening formula is rubbed off, you won’t get even results. The result will be patchy and blotchy.

The other flaw of this at home teeth whitening method is that it has certain kinds of ingredients that could be harmful.

In case you start reading the list of the ingredients, you might see that the majority of the products contain alcohol, which is terrible for the breath.

Alcohol is usually added to the teeth whitening at home products as a desiccant, that helps the product to dry, but it still has a negative effect on your gums and also on your breath.  Another one of the ingredients that you have to look out for is glycerin. This removes the moisture from the enamel of the teeth and this is why they become more sensible during the use of the home teeth whitening products.

Teeth whitening strips

This is the second most common type of teeth whitening at home. Usually people prefer this method because it is very simple. All you have to do is to apply the strips and you don’t have to think about any preparations.

Usually the at home teeth whitening product consists of an upper strip and a lower strip that is pressed against the outer surface of the teeth. The problem is that the teeth aren’t totally flat; there are recesses and grooves between each tooth. The surface of the teeth may be white, but the cracks between them aren’t and this accentuates them even more if you aren’t careful enough.

In case you use this kind of at home teeth whitening product, you could end up looking like you have gaps between your teeth. Most probably this isn’t the result that you are looking for.

Trays with bleaching gels

This kind of teeth whitening at home product is said to be the most effective, most efficient and also the most affordable.

You should know that the gels that the dentists are using are just the same. There is only little difference between the gels that the dentists use because there are only a few manufacturers.

Also think about the fact that the products for teeth whitening at home that you can find at retail stores are of poor quality.

1. Laser bleaching

This is one of the most recommended and most efficient products for teeth whitening. There is a laser beam used to whiten the teeth with the help of a certain chemical. It can be done fast and there is no need for further home treatment.

2. Zoom teeth whitening

Zoom teeth whitening is a replica product for teeth whitening with laser bleaching. In this case there is a kind of gel applied to the teeth and then the teeth are exposed to zoom light that will spread the gel all over the teeth.

3. Bleaching

Usually bleaching doesn’t involve the use of lasers. In this case there is gel applied to the surface of the teeth and let to settle for a time period. The most important advantage of these teeth whitening products is that they show results fast.

4. At home bleaching

You can find custom fit trays filled with teeth whitening gel that need to be applied on the teeth. The best thing about this product for teeth whitening is that it can be used at home without the need and assistance of an oral health expert.

5. Porcelain veneers treatment

This is the most expensive of the teeth whitening products, but the results can be seen after 2-3 visits at the dentist. There are layers of whitening material fixed over the surface of the teeth improving the color and also modifying the shape.

6. Teeth bonding

The main point of this product for teeth whitening is to give back the natural color of the teeth. During the procedure it is also possible to reshape the teeth. In order for the procedure to be done right you need to find a professional dental care expert.

7. Whitening strips

These strips are also known for the fact that they can easily be used at home. This one of the teeth whitening products is covered with peroxide that renders the white color to teeth. Before you actually see the results you might need to use the strips for 2 weeks.

8. Whitening toothpastes

There are numerous products for teeth whitening of this kind available on the market and it is said that with time they are able to brighten your teeth. The ingredients that are used in these toothpastes are different from the ones used in regular toothpastes.

9. Dental floss

Dental floss is made of nylon filaments that are very thin. This is one of the products that can be efficiently used to remove the discoloration from the surface of the teeth. Also you can use these products at home.

10. Mouthwashes

These kinds of teeth whitening products are offered by a large number of companies on the market. In case you choose the right one of them you can achieve the desired results right at home without the help of a dentist.

The tarnishing of teeth is something that is inevitable due to the fact that there are a lot of factors that contribute to it such as cigarette smoking, food sediments, and caffeine. These are some of the reasons why your teeth whitening dentist is in such high demand nowadays.

The concept of teeth whitening is that the teeth whitening dentist uses gels and solutions to complete the whitening process.

These gels are usually administered by your teeth whitening dentist by using trays so that all the gels are exposed to the teeth itself.

Usually, the composition of these gels is peroxides and is known to be non-fatal to humans. Although there are a lot of solutions that can be administered at home, you may prefer the gentle care of teeth whitening dentist.

To be more honest, the difference between administering the whitening gels is that the teeth whitening dentist is able to administer stronger dosages of the gels as compared to the ones that can be administered at home. It is also said that those administered in clinics cost more than those that can be administered at home.

If you are interested in teeth whitening, there are a lot of teeth whitening dentists who actually perform this kind of treatment.

In general, the branch of dentistry that is responsible for this is also known as cosmetic dentistry and there are a lot of teeth whitening dentists who actually specify on these treatments. These treatment procedures are done with professional care so patients who plan to have them can be assured of safety.

There are some details that should be taken into consideration when looking for the right teeth whitening dentist. It is a must to know these things because having the best options for you is the way to go. Here are some of the important points to consider on how to find the right dentist for you:

Is the dentist licensed or duly certified?

Remember to verify and assure yourself that the dentist is trustworthy. It is important to know that the dentist that is going to do teeth whitening is a certified dentist that specializes on the treatment itself.

People can never be too sure and feel too safe, so giving yourself peace of mind should be an utmost priority. Perhaps inquiring with your friends and family would be a good option to consider as well.

Is the clinic accessible?

Consider a clinic that is closest to where you live. It is cost and time efficient to inquire about clinics that are closest to you. You may check the internet or look into local papers for inquiries.

Is the price reasonable?

A big factor to consider is the price the teeth whitening dentist is offering for his services. Look for those who offer this kind of treatment at a reasonable price.

According to Nutritional Research reports, pale plonk packs an acidic punch that erodes enamel far more than red wine.

Teeth damage is due to pH and duration of contact with the teeth, but not due to wine’s vintage, origin or alcohol.

The German authors say that eating cheese at the same time can counter the effects, as it is rich in calcium. The wine attacks mainly the calcium in the teeth.

When adult’s teeth soaked in white wine in the lab for a day, the teeth lost both calcium and phosphorus to depths of up to 0 micrometers in the enamel surface.

Source: BBC News