How to Whiten Teeth

We live in a looks-obsessed culture whether we like it or not. Because having white teeth has become such an important part of an overall beauty regimen, there are now dozens of ways of achieving that goal available. There are veneers, power bleaches, whitening trays, strips, gels, pens and toothpastes to do the trick. Some of these procedures are expensive while others are much less so and some are time consuming while others take very little time at all. Look at the options to find the best way to whiten your teeth.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Examine your teeth in a well-lit mirror. Look at their condition. Are they straight and well cared for? Do they need dental work? Be honest with yourself about the condition of both your teeth and gums. You may need to start with a visit to the dentist and/or peridontist for repair work before you even begin to be concerned about how white your teeth are.

2. Take stock of your current dental hygiene routine. Do you brush your teeth regularly? If not, whitening them won't do much good. If you already have a good dental routine then you are set to move on to the next step. However, if you don't, you need to develop one before moving to Step 3.

3. Examine the various whitening methods available and settle on the one that is best for you. Some of the available processes may be more desirable than others depending upon the condition of your teeth, how much you can afford to spend on the process and what you ultimately want to achieve. For example, if your teeth are in very bad condition, even after repairing them, veneers may be the only method viable for you. On the other hand, if they are in good condition but badly stained, it is possible that dental lamp bleaching will work. If, however, your teeth only require slight whitening, then some of the over-the-counter methods now available on the market may work just as well. Ultimately, the current color of your teeth and your age, as well as the condition of your teeth, will have an impact on your final product decision.

4. If you choose the bleaching lamp procedure, teeth can be whitened up to eight shades whiter in about an hour. This procedure works great for those with yellow or brown teeth who want quick results. However, the gel can sting if it gets on the gums because of existing cavities or poor gel application. Also, the lamp can over-whiten the teeth resulting in an obvious bleached smile. The process does not work on veneers so if you have those in conjunction with your normal teeth, then your smile is likely to be unbalanced. The procedure must be done in the dentist's office and is expensive; averaging around $750 per treatment. This treatment is accomplished with a wax coating over the teeth on top of which a gel of peroxide is applied. A lamp is then used to activate the peroxide even more. The procedure takes about one hour and rarely has to be repeated more than once a year if the individual continues to maintain the condition of their smile following the procedures.

5. If you choose the bleaching tray procedure, you can control how white your teeth will become up to about six times whiter. This procedure works well for people with yellow or slightly brown teeth; however, it won't work well on set-in dark brown stains. This is a slower process that takes place over a longer period of time; about two to three weeks. It can either be done in the dental office or at home. The procedure involves taking an impression of the teeth to make a custom plastic tray. A peroxide gel is then applied into the tray and the tray is put onto the teeth for about 30 to 45 minutes. Again, the gel can burn it if gets onto the gums because of improper application or a poor tray impression. Additionally, it is possible that the teeth will be sensitive for a few days following each procedure. This procedure will not work on veneers. The cost varies depending upon whether it is done in the dental office or at home. The average cost at the dentists is around $350. At home kits range around $35 but will require multiple treatments, making the final cost between $70 and $105.

6. If you choose whitening strips, you can control how white your teeth get to a certain point. However, they will never get as bright as with bleaching lamps or even bleach trays. In truth, they will only take your teeth about three or four shades lighter. The strips must be applied twice daily for between 15 and 30 minutes, depending upon the specific product or brand chosen. They work best on teeth that are only slightly yellowed. The cost is about $30 per kit which usually contains about one week's worth of treatment. You may require two or three kits before you obtain the white smile you desire.

7. If you choose whitening brush-on gels or pens, you can only expect your teeth to whiten about two to three shades lighter. Neither of these are made for individuals with excessively yellow or brown teeth. Teeth must, of course, be cleaned before the whitening gel is applied and you cannot eat or drink for at least 45 minutes after the whitening procedure. It will take multiple treatments for either the brush on gel or pen to work and the result is temporary if you do not continue using the product. The cost averages around $10, depending upon the specific product and brand chosen. Some of the best brush-on gels or pens, however, range around $20.

8. If you choose whitening toothpastes, no extra attention or detail needs to be spent on the process. You just brush your teeth normally after each time that you eat. However, be aware that these pastes will only whiten about one shade lighter than your normal shading. They also work better if you do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain whitened teeth by brushing regularly (at least twice a day).
• <br>Floss your teeth to help protect the health of your gums.
• <br>Eat a balanced diet to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
• <br>Visit your dentist regularly (at least twice a year).
• Never whiten teeth by any method if the gums are irritated or diseased.
• <br>Don't expect miracles from over-the-counter whitening products because they contain at 35 percent less peroxide.
• <br>Avoid excessive sugar and starch since they cause acids to form on the teeth that can cause decay.
• <br>Resist the urge to overwhiten your teeth or your smile will look fake and draw the wrong kind of attention.
• <br>Be aware that some minor discomfort or pain may be involved with dental office whitening procedures because of the higher dose of peroxide involved.

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