George Wood asked:

Teeth Whitening is an attractive option for people with low levels of self-esteem who want to boost their smile with healthy-looking white teeth. But still a majority of people are doubtful about the effectiveness of this procedure. They think the risks of teeth whitening outweigh its advantages. But this is not quite right. Lets find out some of the problems that might occur after teeth whitening and how you can overcome them or prevent them to occur altogether.

Teeth Whitening involves application of a solution of bleach on teeth to whiten them. It might not be suitable for people with gum diseases or extreme sensitivity. These people should have their gums treated first and when they think their gums are healthy enough, only then they should opt for teeth whitening. Most whitening products contain around 3% bleach which is not recommended by health experts. 0.1% bleach is acceptable in products which might involve human intake. Leaving bleach on the teeth for too long can cause irreparable damage to them. It is advisable to have teeth whitening performed under the supervision of a dentist.

Teeth Whitening is not safe for people who smoke or drink too much. High intake of hydrogen peroxide (bleach) can make these people more vulnerable to adverse after-effects of alcohol. Pregnant women should also avoid bleaching products.

If you have sensitive teeth then you might want to have a soft tooth-brush and a medicated tooth-paste after you have gone through teeth whitening to lessen the pain and irritation to its minimum. After a few days, however, the pain will go away itself. It is important to consult a dentist before going through any teeth whitening procedure. Other than the above mentioned problems, there are no adverse side-effects or risks involved with teeth whitening.

If you are considering teeth whitening at home, here are some points you must keep in mind before going about it. At-home teeth whitening is carried out by purchasing a custom-made plastic tray that can be fitted easily into the mouth, to apply the whitening chemical inside. Bleaching gel (or carbamide peroxide) is placed into this tray and then the wearer keeps it in mouth everyday for many weeks before the whitening action starts to show its effects.

Although this procedure is very easy to adopt and equally effective like a dentists way of performing teeth whitening, but you should keep in mind that everything is being done on your own without the supervision of an expert. For this you need to know the contents of the whitening material you are applying on your teeth. You particularly have to pay extra attention to the amount of bleach being consumed by your teeth. It is often recommended to use the tray for a continued period of at least two months to have effective results. For that matter, its very important to monitor the health of your gums and teeth. If you think using the tray causes irritation, swelling or even bleeding in gums, immediately consult a dentist.

People often consider alternatives to using tray-based teeth whitening system, like whitening toothpastes or strips. However, these methods are not as effective as the tray-based method. You just have to wear the tray for 30 minutes or a little more in a day and no other whitening action needs to be performed after that.

Home teeth-whitening method is an economical way to have your teeth whitened. For the same reason, the results of tray-based whitening are not as quick as the traditional teeth whitening performed at a dentists office. But if you are comfortable with the method and see improvement, you should definitely continue using it and recommend it to other people as well.

Daniel asked:

How to Pick the Right Teeth Whitening Gel

You may have noticed that there is a wide variety of teeth whitening gels on the market. Not only is there a difference in teeth whitening gel brands, but you’ll also notice that there is a difference in the percentage of active ingredients in these gels. Here is some advice to help you select the right Teeth Whitening Gel kit for your needs and goals:

Understand how teeth whitening gels work

No matter what type of teeth whitening gel you select, the teeth whitening gel works generally the same way across the board. Essentially, you apply the teeth whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. Over a period of time, the active ingredients in the teeth whitening gel lighten your teeth. The major differences in teeth whitening gels have to do with how the gels whiten your teeth, application methods, and strength.

Differences in teeth whitening gel ingredients

The difference in teeth whitening gel ingredients is very basic: teeth whitening gels will either use a hydrogen peroxide active ingredient or another form of active ingredient. Hydrogen peroxide variations are, basically, bleach. These teeth whitening gel solutions provide a comprehensive teeth whitening solution because they actually change the color of the natural teeth by bleaching the stains within the teeth pores (intrinsic stains) as well as the stains located on the enamel of the teeth (extrinsic stains).

Other teeth whitening products, such as teeth whitening toothpastes, only affect the extrinsic stains and, therefore, are not as comprehensive. Most effective teeth whitening gels feature the bleach composition and are, therefore, one of the most effective teeth whitening solutions available on the market.

Application methods

When it comes to applying teeth whitening gels, one of the most common and effective methods is to use bleaching trays. The teeth whitening gel kit that you select will generally come with trays that you can mold to fit your unique mouth structure. In order to use these teeth whitening gel kits effectively, simply line the tray with a thin layer of the teeth whitening gel (the gel will spread out once you apply the tray to your teeth), and insert the tray into your mouth according to the directions. You will use one tray on your top teeth and one tray on the bottom.

There are other methods to apply teeth whitening gels as well, including products such as Crest Whitestrips and brush-on methods. However, when working with teeth whitening gels, trays are the most common application method…and they can be used overnight!

Strength

The strength of the teeth whitening gel that you select will be based on a variety of factors. There are four main strengths: 35%, 22%, 16%, and 10%. The higher strength gel is effective in less amount of time than the lower strength gels, but can be too sensitive for many people to use. The lower strength teeth whitening gels is as effective as the higher strength gels when used for a longer period of time and it is a great option for people who have sensitivity to the higher strength teeth whitening gels.

In most cases, people who use teeth whitening gels will insert trays overnight. Most dentists recommend wearing the trays for up to 4 hours, as the active ingredient remains active for up to 4 hours. However, if you are only able to wear the trays for a short period of time, you may want to opt for a higher strength gel, which can be effective with just 15 minutes of use a day.

You’ll find that teeth whitening gel kits are easy to use, affordable, and barely noticeable – especially when you wear them overnight. For more information about our teeth whitening gel options or to get started with your order, contact us today!

Pj Germain asked:

You may feel that your teeth are too discolored to ever be white again, but cosmetic dentists are achieving amazing results with the newest whitening techniques. Red wine, soda, coffee and tea, among other food and drink, contribute to the discoloration of teeth over time. Smokers teeth can become permanently stained if the discoloration is not treated in a timely manner. Tooth trauma caused by a fall or collision can cause tooth discoloration. Tooth brushing alone can not brighten teeth dulled by years of exposure to such discoloring agents. In fact, people with dull teeth sometimes over-brush in an attempt to eliminate stains, and this can harm the enamel covering of the tooth.

The Advantages of Teeth Whitening

The advantage of having your teeth whitened in the dental office is that this approach is fast and produces immediate improvement. Typically, your teeth can be whitened by several shades within 45 minutes, dramatically improving your appearance in the shortest possible time. Tooth shade charts are used during the consultation stage of treatment to establish your current shading and determine your whitening goal. In-office whitening is unique in this respect, as your dentist has more control over achieving your specific teeth whitening goals.

The Procedure

During your teeth whitening procedure, you are made comfortable while your teeth are prepared. Your dentist places a guard in your mouth to protect the lips and gums from a whitening gel that is applied to the teeth.

Here are some of the top providers in Denver:

-Denver BriteSmile Teeth Whitening Spa – You may feel that your teeth are too discolored to ever be white again, but cosmetic dentists are achieving amazing results with the newest whitening techniques. The patented BriteSmile tooth whitening gel contains only 15% hydrogen peroxide while other teeth whitening gel has as much as 35%-50% which could cause tooth sensitivity. The gel also contains other ingredients such as glycerin and highly purified water to prevent tooth dehydration and to further ensure safety. Brite Smile Denver 231 Detroit Street Suite 100 Denver 80206

-Cosmetic Dentistry Denver Dr Bernard Slota, D.D.S. – Dr. Bernard Slota. Your cosmetic dentist in Denver creates dream smiles for patients on a daily basis. We also offer Zoom teeth whitening as seen on ABCs Extreme Makeover television show for in office 1 hour tooth whitening. 1050 17th Street, Suite B190

Denver,Colorado 80202

-Cosmetic Denistry of Denver Dr Gary Radz – If you would like to smile more confidently, knowing your teeth are their whitest and brightest, you might want to consider dentist-supervised teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a safe, effective and lasting way to lighten most smiles, available in a variety of methods and concentrations for various kinds of teeth. 999 18th Street Suite 235 Denver, CO 80202

-Teeth whitening at the Denver area practice of Steven Weinstein, D.D.S. – can refresh and brighten your smile. We offer an in-office laser treatment that allows you to walk out of our practice in one hour with the results you deserve. For those that prefer at home teeth whitening, Dr. Weinstein also provides a tray whitening system that has proven to be successful for our patients. 7180 E. Orchard Rd. Ste. 306, Englewood, Colorado 80111

More often than not, teeth whitening is an adequate solution to discoloration. The effectiveness of teeth whitening can vary, depending on the individual. Also, whitening procedures can cause temporary, which varies in intensity from person to person. Occasionally tooth discoloration is so severe that whitening alone cannot fully treat the problem. In these situations, veneers might be a better option. Your dentist can advise you about this.

gladys906 asked:

Facts on Opalescence Teeth Whitening System

People like their pearly whites to be both pearly and white. It sounds lame but it is true. People love to take care of their teeth. One might even say that people are particularly vain concerning their teeth. This is because when meeting people, the teeth are definitely the first thing to get noticed. We smile in order to show people a glimpse of our soul. There are people who depend on their smiles for their living. This is the reason behind the success of such products as the Opalescence teeth whitening system.

The Opalescence teeth whitening system lets people take the system home and do the whitening themselves. This might seem like unnecessary work for some people, but for others, it means convenience. People today do not have the time to go to the dentist for teeth whitening. Some just choose to get a tan instead of having their teeth whitened. This is the reason why the Opalescence teeth whitening system is so sought after. Convenience is one of the things that people look for today.

How does the Opalescence teeth whitening system work? First of all, you have to know that the Opalescence teeth whitening system is a professional-grade bleaching system. This means that it can whiten your teeth faster than other over the counter teeth whitening systems. This is because of the fact that most over the counter teeth whitening systems contain only about 3 to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide. However, the Opalescence teeth whitening system has a 38 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

While most teeth whitening systems today require the use of a bleaching light in order to “activate” the product, the Opalescence teeth whitening system is the first product which lists the use of the light as “optional”. People like this because it is often the case that the cost of the bleaching light is undeniably higher than the cost of the actual product. Another interesting fact about this is that lately, many dentists are finding out that the “studies” regarding the use of bleaching lights rarely do prove that the light is needed to activate the hydrogen peroxide.

Although you can take the Opalescence teeth whitening system home, it is still advisable that you get a professional to whiten your teeth. This is because the Opalescence teeth whitening system works best when in the hands of a professional. About 90 minutes is required from preparation to the actual procedure. Think of it: just one and a half hours for you to have whiter teeth!

Besides giving you whiter teeth, the opalescence teeth whitening system also gives you other benefits. While some teeth bleaching systems may give you sensitive teeth and thus, forever deny you the pleasure of eating ice cream, the opalescence teeth whitening system actually minimizes sensitivity. This means that you do not have to sacrifice the pleasure of eating certain foods in order to have a great smile.

Another complaint that people have with common bleaching agents is the fact that these often cause teeth to become vulnerable to cavities. However, the opalescence teeth whitening system actually strengthens the enamel, making it harder and decreases the likelihood of cavities.

The opalescence teeth whitening system can give great benefits to whoever uses the product. You get whiter teeth in a way that’s convenient and painless. So what are you waiting for?

Marty Rubenski asked:

There is a growing fascination and obsession in having sparkling white teeth. It is inevitable considering the very aggressive approach of advertising companies. There’s just an overflowing source of pictures or videos of models and entertainers flashing their enviable pearly white teeth. It is permissible to gloat at these personalities occasionally. If its effect is to motivate you in having perfect white teeth, then you better start looking for the best teeth whiteners.

Currently these are the available teeth whitening procedures in the market: Chemical teeth whitening, Abrasive teeth whitening, Mild acid teeth whitening and Laser teeth whitening. It is best to provide you with an overview of the commonly used teeth whiteners to give you options. People have varying purchasing power and concept in getting their money’s worth. At least, when you have options, it is easier to weigh the benefits of each teeth whitening procedure.

The easiest and probably the most efficient are the home remedies for teeth whitening. Here the common products are baking soda, salt and hydrogen peroxide. You can actually use the baking soda as your toothpaste. You can also mix these products to come up with a homemade toothpaste.

Another teeth whitening products are strawberries and orange peel. Obviously you can eat the strawberries but if you will be using it for teeth whitening, you will need to mash them and rub on your teeth. The same procedure is being done to the orange peel. It is best to leave them for at least 20 minutes on your teeth and then rinse or proceed with brushing your teeth.

Home remedies for teeth whitening are more affordable and easy to do. You will just have to do it consistently to get the results that you want for yourself. Now, most of us are struggling with time. In this case, its convenience can also be questionable since it can be a tedious process as well.

You can try whitening toothpastes and they are readily available in stores. The only disadvantage is its potency. The teeth whitening process may take more than two weeks to see any visible results. As for whitening strips, they are effective and you can even notice immediate results in a week’s time. Usually, you will notice that your teeth lightened in 1-2 shades. The only concern here is that whitening strips work perfectly on front teeth only. No immediate changes can be seen on premolar areas which are hard to reach by these strips.

Laser teeth whitening gives the fastest results because of the intensity of the chemicals used. The only drawback is its cost. Also, since the effects are not permanent, you may have to visit your dentist for another session. Teeth whitening trays have been used since the 80s. The most effective are those that have custom fit. It can be somewhat costly, but at least you can get the best results since leakage of the gels used are minimized. The gels are evenly distributed. since it’s custom fit, you can just reuse it whenever the need arises. You just have to buy the whitening gel in stores.

Charles Maverick asked:

Cosmetic dentistry has made teeth whitening important, dentists explaining the benefits of such procedures and offering professional teeth whitening advice. The market is flooded with teeth whitening products and often times consumers have a hard time when it comes to making an informed decision.

Teeth whitening products include the following: whitening toothpaste, bleaching gels and home whitening kits. There are also strips that can be applied over the teeth for a whitening effect, depending on how serious the staining actually is. Many of these products can be used at home but there are also recommended with in-office procedures. Dentists are highly interested in offering teeth whitening advice, as most people do not know the advantages of each product and sometimes prefer to resort just to whitening toothpaste. Although it may have active ingredients that guarantee a whitening effect, toothpaste is better used to maintain the results obtained through other procedures.

Bleaching gels are indicated as effective teeth whitening products, whether they are used at home or applied at the dentist’s office. They can be simply applied over the teeth or through a customized mouth tray that the dentist will make for the patient. A piece of teeth whitening advice: one should never buy a one-fit mouth tray and wait for the same results as when using a customized type. The dentist will take a mold of the patient’s teeth and make sure that the procedure is 100% effective when using that specific tray to cover the teeth in bleaching gel.

Speaking about at-home teeth whitening products, there are many people who prefer to use whitening strips. These are extremely easy to apply and convenient for any patient, being absolutely safe. Containing the same active substance as bleaching gels – hydrogen peroxide – whitening strips are recommended to be worn for two weeks, at least thirty minutes every day, before the results start to become noticeable. The dentist will be more than happy to provide teeth whitening advice regarding the use of bleaching gels and whitening strips, highlighting the benefits of each in detail.

There are numerous natural products out there which have a whitening effect. Baking soda, strawberries and orange peels represent three of the most effective teeth whitening products, which are natural as you can probably see. Dentists usually recommend these to be used in combination with either of the products mentioned above or other teeth whitening procedures, thus obtaining better and faster results.

Teeth whitening advice should start with the importance of cosmetic dentistry and the presentation of different teeth whitening products. There are mouth tray bleaching systems, whitening gels and even whitening sprays recommended by professional dentists. New procedures are based on laser technology and the results are definitely satisfactory, with a whiter and healthier set of teeth on display. The stains are removed and the natural color of the teeth is restored, regardless of the teeth whitening products used. A bright smile will always be an attractive smile and a great way to make a first impression!

Robert asked:

There is no doubt that whiteners are one of the most increasing numbers of oral hygiene products and while manufacturers are busy meeting market demands, the ADA Council of Scientific Affairs continuous to monitor its development and the need for standardizing the term “whitening” or “whiteners”.

In a layman’s term, whitening is the process of making the teeth to appear whiter. Although whitening is commonly administered by dentists in their clinics, there are also teeth whitening products available for home use like whitening toothpastes. A whitening product can bleach (this product contains peroxide) the tooth by removing surface and deep stains while non-bleaching formula like whitening toothpaste only works by physical or chemical reaction that helps remove surface stains.

Consider bleaching products or peroxide-containing whiteners, these available products either dentist-dispensed or over-the-counter (OTC) for home use are bearing ADA Seal of Acceptance. It contains 10% carbamide peroxide just like the other products in this category. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea in a water-based solution.

Hydrogen peroxide becomes the active bleaching agent. There are other peroxide ingredients that contain tooth whiteners and the list includes glycerin, carbopol, sodium hydroxide, and flavoring agents. According to clinical studies, 10% carbamide peroxide is safe and effective tooth-whitening agent. However, there are temporary side effects that may occur during treatment process like tooth sensitivity (often occurs during early stages of bleaching) and occasional irritation of oral mucosa or soft tissues in the mouth (often caused by ill-fitting tray). Both of these side effects may stop after treatment. The bleaching product for home use treatment procedure usually lasts for two to four weeks.

There is also this professionally applied bleaching agent that contains 15-35% hydrogen peroxide and is sometimes being applied with a light or laser to activate the whitening process. Before the application of such product, gum tissues are being protected using a protective gel or a rubber dam. Unlike home use products, the professionally applied whitener is faster to apply. Usually, the procedure lasts for only an hour. The most common side effects observed for this product are similar to the side effects of carbamide peroxide: temporary tooth sensitivity and occasional irritation of oral tissues. Irreversible tooth damage has been reported also although this is a very rare case. Professionally applied whiteners are not eligible for the ADA Seal due to the fact that on December 31, 2007, the professional component of the Seal Program was discontinued.

On the other hand, another tooth-whitening product available is called dentifrice or the most common form is toothpaste. Most whitening toothpastes available OTC has received ADA Seal of Acceptance. They contain polishing or chemical agents to remove certain stains. These non-bleaching agents aid to whiten teeth gradually.

 

Just like any other medications or health products, it is advisable to consult a dentist before trying any teeth whitening product whether at home or under professional supervision. ADA recommends patients, especially those who have many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains, to submit to dental consultations and thorough oral examinations to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Matt Wittchow asked:

Is there someone’s attention that you want to catch? The simplest way to do so is to just smile. However, that would be clearly impossible if your teeth are basically covered with stains and plaques. Worse, this “dirt” can definitely bring down your self-confidence to an all-time low. What you need therefore is teeth whitening.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is sometimes called teeth bleaching. It refers to the process of removing the stains off your teeth to reveal their whiteness or to bring back their shine or luster. Normally, the tooth whitening procedure entails the use of whiteners or chemicals that are for oxidation, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. These two known teeth whiteners can get into the deeper layers of your teeth, carefully eliminating the hard-to-remove stains on your teeth. Depending on the severity of the discoloration, the teeth whitening or teeth bleaching process can last for months.

Why do you need teeth whiteners?

In truth, it’s more than vanity or trying to make yourself look good. Stains can actually damage the enamel of your teeth, which then serves as a protective cover of the inner layer called the dentin. You need teeth whitening products since your precious pearly whites can be discolored because of the food that you eat or the beverage that you drink such as coffee and tea. Smoking can also be one of the leading causes.

When do you seek teeth whitening procedures?

First you need to go to the dentist first. He/she can better evaluate if you really need to undergo any teeth whitening treatments. However, if you feel like it’s becoming more uncomfortable, you can already begin the tooth whitening treatments. There are already several teeth whiteners that you can purchase over the counter such as the 35% Carbamide Peroxide Gel System and the 36% Carbamide Peroxide Bluelight Gel System. These are two equally popular teeth whitening gels that can guarantee immediate results and without the occurrence of teeth sensitivity.

You may also use the teeth whitening products when the stains seem to be more unmanageable that they can no longer be removed by mere use of toothpastes. When they get into the deeper portions of the enamel, it becomes a lot harder for you to apply the different teeth whitening treatments.

What are the different kinds of teeth whitening treatments that you can avail?

There are countless teeth whitening methods that you can choose from these days that your decision will basically depend on what you want to achieve from the teeth whitening treatment, as well as how much you’re willing to pay for it.

One of the most common types of teeth whitening procedure is the chair-side teeth bleaching. This means that you will drop by personally at your dentist’s office, then sit for around 30 minutes to an hour, while your dentist will try to apply teeth whiteners into your discolored set of teeth. Not only is the process quite lengthy, but this can also be pricey. You could be spending hundreds of dollars for every visit. The good thing, though, is that you will definitely benefit from close supervision of a professional during your teeth bleaching.

Another method is to use over-the-counter teeth whitening gels. They are very easy to use, and a lot of them are extremely safe to apply. There are instructions that you can follow to ensure that you’re doing the entire teeth whitening treatment right. Some of them can already give you immediate results, which is something that you cannot really attain with chair-side teeth bleaching.

There are also other special options for teeth whiteners, such as the use of veneers and specially formulated toothpastes.