How to Bleach Your Teeth

Almost everyone would agree that they would like to have whiter teeth. We all know what causes our teeth to become yellow and tarnished looking: age, drinking coffee, cola’s, teas, cigarette smoking and eating foods, especially those that contains a lot of acid. Yet, it is hard to stop all of these habits and we can’t do anything about the aging process. Instead of stopping our habits, we turn to tooth whitening products from special toothpastes, to whitening strips to even special mouth rinses. But what can we do when all of that fails? We can turn to tooth bleaching.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A dentist
• Teeth whitening tray
• Teeth whitening bleach
• Time
• Money

1. Make an appointment with your dentist and discuss the pros and cons of tooth bleaching. You should ask if there are any side effects that can cause harm to your gums or teeth. Then discuss price.
   
   While you are discussing the price, ask if there is any way you can go through a bleaching process in a cheaper manner. At first, your dentist will probably think you mean the store bought kits. Beware; your dentist will probably warn you of this. The store bought kits are not made for your particular mouth. Each kit contains a one size fits all tray and accompanying gel. The tray is sort of a mold that is used to hold the gel against your teeth. In the process, the gel may also touch your gums causing them to become white and irritated. Explain to your dentist, you do not want to use this method. You want him/her to make a custom made tray of your own teeth for you, to use at home with a bleaching agent he/she gives you.
2. If your dentist agrees: a tray will be made of your mouth. Once this is finished, you will be given the tray molding and a bleaching agent to use at home.
   
   Generally, your dentist will recommend that you use this tray and whitener twice a day, at an hour each time. You will continue this process for two weeks.
3. Go back to your dentist for a checkup and see what he/she thinks of the results of the bleaching process.
4. Finish paying your dental bill, which generally will run you from $300 to $500

Tips & Warnings

• Yes, you can buy cheaper bleaching kits at many stores. But they can cause gum irritation and can cause your gums to become whiten, too. Dentists do not recommend these kits.