What does a beautiful smile look like? A common response includes the word "white". Having a white smile boosts self confidence and self-esteem while giving others a better impression of you.
Many options exist that are available to whiten your teeth as technology within cosmetic dentistry is improving rapidly. Many people's knowledge on the topic is often lacking and awareness of what can be done helps people learn how to have a great smile.
Many people have issues with their teeth's white color becoming more of a yellowish color. Teeth whitening can lighten the color of your teeth and actually remove (not just cover up) stains and discoloration.
Coffee, tobacco, tea, soda and even just getting older all cause teeth to loose their whiteness as the surface of the teeth get stained. There are many whitening procedures that come in a variety of forms and prices.
A cheap way to do it is to purchase an over-the-counter bleaching kit from your local drug store. This method however often proves to be disappointing.
The same results often happen with the tooth whitening toothpaste, whitening gels and whitening strips. These methods may seem to work momentarily, however, it only removes or covers up the surface layer of the stain, but not the entire stain. So it is only a matter of days before the stain resurfaces, once again discoloring your teeth.
These products contain only a minimal amount of gel that are coated with peroxide-based whitening gel. They do not contain bleach as opposed to the professional whitening products that contains hydrogen peroxide.
By going to a cosmetic dentist, it will cost you more than an over-the-counter method, but the results are significantly better. It is done on a personal level and specifications are for you individually.
The latest in the technology of teeth whitening is laser bleaching. This consists of applying a hydrogen peroxide gel over the teeth then using a laser to increase the whitening effects.
A benefit of having this done by a cosmetic dentist is the safety of it. When getting laser whitening the dentist protects the gums and other vital parts of the mouth from the procedure. This protection is not possible with the at-home methods and can often be damaging to the gums and mouth.
Sometimes tooth staining is not even related to food, but to other issues. Something known as Internal bleaching is used to help with this problem.
It is performed on devitalized teeth that have undergone endodontic therapy but are discolored due to internal staining of the tooth structure by blood and other fluids that leaked in. Unlike external bleaching which brightens teeth from the outside in, internal bleaching does it the opposite way, from the inside out.
It involves drilling a hole to the pulp chamber, cleaning, sealing, and filling the root canal with a rubber-like substance and placing a peroxide gel into the pulp chamber. The peroxide then works directly inside the tooth on the dentin layer.
It needs to be noted that even with cosmetic dentistry work this procedure of tooth whitening will have to be repeated to maintain whiteness. People will still continue to drink soda and coffee or smoke as well as age, which will continue to yellow white teeth.
It must also be noted that tooth whitening is not for everyone. Their are circumstances where this procedure should not be performed and everyone should be made aware of those circumstances.
If you are pregnant or are lactating you should avoid this procedure. Also teeth whitening is not recommended for children younger than 16 years of age. Also, if you have sensitive teeth or gum diseases this process should be avoided.
Many products are used within this procedure and should be known about before performed on yourself to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to them.
Also, dental whitening products will not work on crowns, veneers or exposed roots. Talk to your dentist about such concerns as these will be easily noticeable against your recently whitened teeth.
Author Resource:-
Jack R. Landry is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentist in Bakersfield, CA. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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