Four Ways To Whiten Your Teeth
Wherever you are, the possession of a bright white smile makes you feel much better
. It may not matter so much if teeth are crooked as that sometimes lends to a person's character although straighter teeth are often healthier.
People with less than perfect teeth that are stained or show signs of dental decay tend not to get the same social acceptance as someone whose teeth are good. Practising good
oral hygiene will help to keep teeth white but if you want a better shade of white there are other ways than just brushing.
Your sparkling smile may become dulled even though you keep your mouth healthy by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash.
Whitening teeth with a peroxide based solution is a very popular procedure for dentists and patients alike. Amongst the various kinds of techniques there are two main categories: treatment at home and treatment at the dentist's surgery. While all techniques will generally provide the expected results there are advantages and disadvantages to all of them. Always consult your dentist or call your dental insurance plan provider if you are in any way unsure about dental treatments.
There are a number of techniques to help you keep a perfect smile:
- Teeth whitening strips
- Tray-based teeth whitening solutions
- Paint-on teeth whitening
- Professional tooth whitening treatment
Teeth whitening strips are the simplest form of improving your dental looks. By wearing whitening strips coated with 6% hydrogen peroxide for two weeks, Proctor and Gamble claim that you will achieve a 10% whiter smile.
The advantage of using whitening strips is they can be worn inconspicuously throughout the day. The disadvantage is whitening strips lie across the front of the teeth and do not always reach between the teeth where some stains occur.
Amongst dentists the tray-based whitening solution system is the most preferred and popular procedure for bleaching teeth. The tray is shaped to fit around the teeth, one tray for upper and one for lower teeth. In the tray is a bleaching gel that may continue to work for several hours.
Whitening strips, unlike the gel filled tray, cannot reach all areas - a definite advantage of the tray method. The disadvantage lies in the fact that the tray, unlike a simple brush application, needs to remain in the mouth for some time. Times vary depending on the manufacturer.
Paint-on tooth whitening is another way of applying a peroxide solution onto the teeth. A brush is used to apply the whitener to the teeth; after this the solution forms a thin film. The length of time the solution remains on the tooth varies between manufacturers. This length varies according to the manufacturer and may be anything from one hour to over-night. When the whitening solution has been on the teeth for the time recommended by the manufacturer a toothbrush is used to remove it.
The advantage of paint-on whitening is that trays are not necessary and the solution reaches all parts of the tooth. The disadvantage is that this does not work on existing dental work.
It would not be wise to start self-applied treatment without first consulting your dentist. Strict observance of the manufacturer's instructions will ensure that no damage is done to existing dental work such as fillings and veneers. A considerable amount of expense and treatment time may be involved if any of these solutions are used incorrectly.
Some people may think that it is better to have the teeth whitening treatment carried out by a professional. The truth is that professional treatment and self-administered treatment both produce the same results over time. Time now becomes the most significant consideration. What may take one to two weeks to accomplish at home is usually completed in one session with a dentist.
Using a dentist has the obvious disadvantage of being expensive. If you do not have a comprehensive
dental insurance policy which covers these sorts of treatments, the cost will be substantially more than buying over the counter products. Self-administered treatment may turn out to be more expensive than using dental insurance. Dentist-administered treatment has the advantage of being completed in the minimum amount of time. Seldom does a whitening session last for more than an hour. There is also the added advantage of the dentist giving your mouth a good check up at the same time, something you cannot do yourself.
by: Stephanie Andrew
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