When you are smiling, the whole world smiles with you, if you have a great smile. If you don't, gathering information on teeth whitening would be useful. There are many things to consider when thinking about whitening your teeth. There are different methods, different risks and different costs. You need all of the information to make the right decision for your smile.
To Whiten Or Not To Whiten?
The layer of the teeth you are considering whitening is called the enamel. There are many reasons the enamel could become discolored, such as drinking lots of coffee, using tobacco, drinking cola or wine and aging. The teeth can also get internal stains due to certain antibiotics and too much fluoride during childhood.
There are some instances, however, when you should not get teeth whitening. If you are pregnant, or under the age of 16 you should not receive whitening treatments. If you have sensitive teeth, gum problems, exposed roots or extensive dental work you should consult a dentist regarding your interest in whitening.
You should have realistic expectations of the whitening process, knowing that it is not a one-shot deal. It is something that you have to keep maintaining for life.
Methods
There are many types of teeth whitening products. These products can fall into two categories.There are the methods you can perform at home and others that are only done in a dentists office.
For use at home are teeth whitening toothpastes that use abrasive ingredients such as baking soda to scrub off the surface dirt. There are mouth rinses. There are gels that are put in mouth trays and then on to the teeth. There are adhesive strips that you stick to your teeth, which either dissolve or have to be removed after a specified amount of time. There are even products that can be brushed onto your teeth like nail polish and then left on overnight. All of these products use peroxide to bleach the enamel of the teeth in mouth trays placed on the teeth.
The dentist office will also have methods of teeth whitening available. These usually consist of a gel placed on the teeth with trays, then activated by lasers.
Reliability
Each of the methods of teeth whitening have different strengths. Whitening toothpastes are abrasive to take the surface dirt off the teeth. Whitening rinses, gels and strips use different strengths of peroxide to bleach the enamel. In-office treatments use peroxide bleaching gels with lasers to enhance the whitening. With all of the methods, you get what you pay for.
Cost
Teeth whitening products range in price from the cost of a tube of whitening toothpaste to the expense of in-office teeth whitening done by dentists. The toothpastes, mouthwashes and gels can cost from $5 to $30. The over-the-counter gels for the trays will cost between $20 to $60. The adhesive strips can cost $60 to $150 dollars. When you get to in-office procedures the costs rise and can be anywhere from $400 up.
Minimizing the Risks
When using at-home teeth whitening methods, always read the instructions thoroughly. If you get tooth sensitivity, stop using the product for a few days and either consult a dentist or try again after three days. If you already have sensitive teeth or teeth problems, including infection, consult a dentist prior to using any whitening products. If your teeth are stained from any medication or you are pregnant, you should not use any teeth whitening products. If you have any negative reaction to the whitening, consult a dentist or doctor.
