Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What are Teeth Whitening Systems

Teeth whitening systems are custom made to meet the specific needs of different individuals. Different teeth whitening systems are available over the Internet, designed by dental professionals. But which one to go with? The choice will not be easy without support and some prior knowledge. It is important to be realistic about what you want and can be achieved. First, you have to decide on the level of whitening you want. Some people want to restore the natural color of their teeth, while others want to make them much whiter. You cannot get a movie-star smile; if this is what you want, don't waste your time and money. That kind of whiteness takes special lighting and other effects.

What you can hope is a color that is several shades whiter than at present. You should keep these considerations in mind when going with a particular teeth whitening system.

Do you want to get the teeth whitening procedure done at home or in the office? In-office whitening is not only convenient - you cannot expect 8 to 10 shades whiter teeth by using some over-the-counter whitening kit. Some people opt for a whitening procedure in a dental cleaning. It is costly but recommended as safe. With home whitening kits, it will take more time to attain the whiteness you desire. With some kits, your teeth may get an uneven coloration.

You should talk to a cosmetic dentist before you make a decision on the procedure to go with. There are many benefits to such a consultation. They can tell you what the different teeth whitening systems contain and how these ingredients work. Some teeth whitening systems contain abrasive ingredients, and these are best avoided, so your dentist can help you with this. The concentration of the whitening agent differs depending on the procedure. Quicker results are achieved by using stronger solutions. However, your teeth may become more sensitive following treatment, especially if they are sensitive in general. If this is the case, the type of teeth whitening system you choose is indeed very important. As an added advantage to your visit to the dentist's office, you can discuss your oral health with them. They can check the state your teeth are in and the level of whitening you want. In this way, they will be able to offer the most suitable teeth whitening system.

If you choose to have the treatment done in a dental clinic, it is best to consult a cosmetic dentist, not your family dentist. Many people complain about recommendations and suggestions made by their dentists and the results thereafter. Cosmetic dentistry is a separate field from general dentistry, which doesn't mean that your family dentist is incompetent and you should look for a new dentist. However, it is better to go with a professional who is competent in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Teeth Whitening Products - How To Avoid Problems

Many people are concerned whether undergoing teeth bleaching is safe. Dental experts explain that using a 10 percent concentration of bleaching solution does not result in damages to the tooth surface. Bleaching has been tested through microscopic research around the globe, and no side effects have been confirmed.

However, it would be misleading to maintain that tooth whitening has no side effects. All bleaching agents cause some extent of sensitivity to the teeth. At first, even air can affect the tooth, as can relatively cold or hot drinks. This should not surprise you. Desensitizing components are contained in some bleaching gels, which work to alleviate sensitivity following tooth bleaching. There is no proof that these desensitizers actually have an effect. If the sensitivity is too much to handle, you should stop using the bleach for several days. When you do that, you sensitivity will disappear within 48 hours. There is no problem with stopping, because bleaching does not need to be done consecutively. Your teeth will be equally white regardless of whether you discontinue the procedures for a given term or do not, but it will take a longer period of time with the former. You may also use toothpastes with potassium nitrate or desensitizing toothpastes (e.g. Sensodyne) to deal with sensitivity.

A common concern is how long it will take for teeth to become as white as possible. Experts inform that results vary. It may take several months in some cases while in others, the results are visible in just several days. For most people it takes under three weeks. If you can choose a pre-procedure for more gray or yellow teeth, yellow is better and gives good results. Gray teeth are very hard to bleach. Grey enamel, such as that resulting from antibiotic staining, is harder to bleach. You may notice results only after several months of treatment.

Some experts warn against bleaching your teeth or using whitening strips while pregnant or nursing. No evidence of side effects or damage has been found, but research has not confirmed its safety as well.

Whitening strips are recommended by some dentists owing to the fact that they cause less sensitivity compared to in-office tooth bleaching. In addition, whitening strips are a cheaper option. You should know that people react differently to strips - some are quite happy with them, while they have been known to make some clients completely and utterly miserable and unhappy. Those who want to learn more may look at consumer sites and read reviews of a variety of teeth whitening products. You can also browse reviews by brand depending on what brand you are considering buying.