What Is Teeth Whitening?
Gazing at Hollywood starlets or seeing beautiful models in magazines flashing their perfect white smiles at the camera has helped to peak a demand for whiter smiles everywhere.
There are many options available to get the white smile you desire. Teeth whitening can be done in your dentist's office, or taken care of at home with over-the-counter whitening systems.
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In-Office Bleaching
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Letting your dentist handle your whitening procedure is one option. The method of teeth whitening your dentist may choose for you is called power bleaching. Since the bleaching components administered are at a higher concentration than those available outside the office, you can get your whiter smile quicker.
Your dentist may also choose to send you home with a tray-based whitening system in which the whitening supplies are provided, and the treatment is supervised by the dentist.
The drawback is that an in-office power bleaching costs considerably more than doing it at home. Top-of-the-line dental office bleaching procedures can cost up to $800. Over-the-counter whitening ranges between $10 and $55.
At-Home Whitening
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There are many options available to those who prefer to handle their teeth whitening at home.
Whitening toothpastes will only help to remove surface stains and do not contain bleach. However, over-the-counter professional whitening products contain the hydrogen peroxide that is needed to remove stains embedded deep below the tooth surface.
Whitening strips are one over-the-counter option. They are thin, clear and coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. These strips are applied for 30 minutes, twice daily. Cost ranges from $10 to $55 for a 14-day treatment.
Applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth, whitening gels also are applied for 30 minutes, twice daily. Cost is about $15 for a 14-day treatment. -
Side Effects
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Two side effects are most common with a teeth-whitening regimen: teeth sensitivity and a mild irritation of the gums.
You can reduce tooth sensitivity--primarily experienced at the earliest stages of bleaching treatment--by brushing with toothpaste that is made for sensitive teeth. The potassium nitrate found these products soothes nerve endings.
A mouthpiece that doesn't fit perfectly can cause irritation of gums or surrounding tissue. Wearing the tray for a shorter period of time may help relieve this effect.
Results
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How do these different methods measure up in terms of results?
Whitening conducted in your dentist's office creates the best results, by whitening teeth from three to eight shades lighter.
Standard whitening toothpaste will only whiten teeth one shade lighter.
Whitening strips and gels fall somewhere in between. Both offer initial results within a few days and which last for about 4 months.
Maintenance
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To keep your smile looking its best after treatment, it is best to avoid beverages that are known to stain teeth. However, if you choose to drink coffee, tea, colored soda or red wine, consider using a straw so that the liquid doesn't come into contact with your front teeth. Afterward, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth immediately.
Since whitening treatments are not permanent, you may want to consider having touch-up treatments from 6 months to two years after the initial treatment.
Following good oral hygiene practices will also help to maintain your new white smile. Brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste once or twice a week in addition to brushing your teeth at least twice daily with regular fluoride toothpaste will help to keep your smile looking bright.
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