Here are some facts and features of teeth whitening which will give you immense idea on all about teeth whitening.

Your dentist has a variety of methods for restoring a bright white smirk including porcelain veneers, composite bonding, implants and whitening, also known as bleaching. However, of all the advances made in dentistry to enhance the appearance of the teeth, whitening is the easiest and least invasive, and effective for 3 out of 4 cases. The procedure is safe, elementary, and more affordable than ever before. Because of these reasons and more, teeth whitening has become popular.

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve your appearance. Whiter teeth can boost your self-esteem and confidence. Years of drinking coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and smoking finally takes their toll on teeth. The results are dull, yellowish-colored teeth. Some teeth may have darker gray-colored stains due to antibiotics. Most teeth will benefit from teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a proven safe and effective way to brighten stained, discolored teeth.

Should I consult a dentist about teeth whitening?

You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. They can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may not bleach as well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all.

Bleaching may not enhance your smirk in the event you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener won't affect the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smirk. You may want to investigate other options in this case such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

What teeth whitening methods are obtainable to me?

All whitening products contain peroxide either as carbamide peroxide (CP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP). Peroxide dissolves the organic stains in the tooth to alter the color and produce a whitened effect.

There's types of peroxide-containing tooth whitening products obtainable:

* A take-home product supervised by a dentist is the most popular whitening system. These products contain a lesser percentage of CP or HP than in-practice products and are worn in a tray overnight or during the day at home. A custom-fitted tray is made to hold the whitening product directly against the teeth while lessening its contact with the gums. Some products have fluoride added to help prevent or treat mild tooth sensitivities. The typical stains of ageing will whiten in one to fourteen days when the tray is worn overnight.

* In-practice products are applied by a dental professional. These products contain a high percentage of CP or HP and are applied directly to the teeth. Some activated by heat, light, or laser. This may be the product for you if you're in a hurry for whiter teeth and you don't have tooth sensitivity. For dark-colored teeth, the whitening system can be sped up in three to one hours followed by a take-home product until the desired whiteness is achieved.

* Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products contain a small percentage of HP or CP. Caution should be used with these products as lots of contain an acidic solution that can wear away tooth enamel. OTC products use a bulky, one-size-fits-all tray to hold the product. Usually more product is swallowed than stays in the tray because of the trays poor fit against the teeth. It can take up to three months and the purchase of several kits to get whiter teeth. Flexible strips coated with whitening gel have recently been introduced as an OTC at-home tooth whitening system. The strips are worn on the front teeth and folded over to keep them in place. Results are reported to be noticeable after fourteen days and effective for 6 months.

* Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes contain a small percentage of HP, CP, or polishing ingredient. The toothpastes are effective in keeping teeth cleaner and whiter looking but some may be abrasive. The harsh abrasive will wear away the enamel with repeated use gradually making the teeth look yellow. Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains and prevent new stains from building up. Whitening toothpastes however aren't in contact with the teeth long enough to remove internal stains. Ask your dentist about the safety and cavity protection of specific toothpastes before you buy.

It is highly advisable to inform your dentist about your goals regarding teeth whitening. They can advise you about the most suitable system and also outline the procedure, likely results, side effects and address any questions you may have.

How does teeth whitening achieve results?

The bleaching gel is usually hydrogen or carbamide peroxide that breaks down in to oxygen molecules. These molecules go in to the tiny pores of the enamel and dentin and break up the stains that block out the light. More light passes through the teeth and makes them look lighter as the stains are broken in to smaller and smaller pieces. Stains that are accumulated over time that are yellow to slightly brown produce the best results. Teeth that are dark brown to blue-grey are the most difficult to bleach because the stain is deeply embedded in the structure of the tooth. These types of stains are usually caused by medications taken during the development of the teeth such as tetracycline and can take a minimum of one weeks to see results and as much as three months for complete results.

What takes place at the initial visit to the dentist?

Results can be seen within an hour, overnight or within one to three days depending on the bleaching gel used and the length of time it is worn. Complete results can be achieved in as little as a week or as much as several months depending on the source of the stain and the ability of the teeth or tooth to be bleached. The whitening procedure may last for up to one years and even longer in some cases depending on personal habits. A elementary system of bleaching for three or three nights with a single gel syringe is usually sufficient to brighten the color again.

You will be able to talk with your dentist about the changes you would like to make in your appearance at the first visit with your dentist. Your dentist will explain the different options obtainable to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations.

Your dentist will begin with a complete medical history and examine your teeth. they may also take photos or x-rays and give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. Any large cavities may want to be addressed before bleaching can begin. Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the procedure. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision.

There's one types of bleaching procedures to choose from. One of them are performed in the dental practice and the third is a take-home self-administered treatment.

* In-Practice whitening procedures

For laser and power bleaching, a dentist begins by applying a protective material to your gums and lips in order to isolate the teeth. A special bleaching solution usually containing hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. A high intensity light or laser is directed at the teeth and activates the bleaching agent causing the gel to release the oxygen molecules. Treatments for both power and laser bleaching can take as little as 45 minutes but usually last somewhere between three and three hours.

* Take-home whitening

These techniques work great for a single discolored tooth as well. The bleaching solution is placed on the outside of the tooth if the tooth has become dark due to trauma but has not had a root canal. The solution can be placed on the outside as well as the inside of the tooth if the tooth has had a root canal. Leaving a bleaching solution inside the tooth and sealing the opening is referred to as 'walking bleach'. The solution inside the tooth for a jogging bleach is changed about three times a week. Results can take several weeks but nothing has to be worn in the mouth.

Take-home bleaching is performed at home under the indirect supervision of a dentist. The dentist takes impressions of the patient's teeth and then creates a perfectly fitted mouthguard at the first appointment. This mouthguard will permit the patient to apply a bleaching solution to the teeth while protecting the rest of the mouth from contact with the bleaching chemicals.

The concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in the gel is not as strong as that used in power or laser bleaching procedures. No strong light source or laser is needed to activate the bleaching agent. it is contact with the teeth that causes the gel to release oxygen. Take-home bleaching in most cases can take from three to one weeks to achieve minimum results. The dentist during this time may want to check the progress of the treatment.

The amount of discomfort experienced varies from person to person and depends on the system used. Most adults usually experience little if any discomfort. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory may help in the case of some discomfort. Consult your dentist for more options if the discomfort lasts for over 2 to 3 days.

Will I experience any discomfort?

Decreasing the sensitivity may be as easy as placing a gel fluoride under your dentist's instruction in your bleaching tray for an hour or so. Other materials may be used to address the sensitivity you may experience. Check with your dentist for the best options for your particular needs.

You should discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance with your dentist in order to help them determine the procedure, or combination of procedures, that will produce the best results for you.

The results of teeth whitening vary but most people are happy with the results. Patients should avoid foods that stain such as tobacco and red wine for about a week after any bleaching treatment. Keeping teeth neat with flossing and brushing can maintain whiteness. Tooth bleaching lasts on average about 1 to 3 years. Bleaching may last even longer if you are not a regular tobacco user and do not eat lots of foods that are known to stain teeth.

What can I expect after teeth whitening?

How long will the teeth whitening last?

Decalcified spots are white spots that affect the calcium in the enamel. These spots appear chalky white and are difficult to treat with bleaching. Your dentist may recommend a procedure called micro-abrasion. This procedure can be done by itself or in conjunction with bleaching. The micro-abrasion material is much like the paste used to neat and polish teeth. The paste consists of an abrasive combined with a hydrochloric acid used to "polish" out the white or brown spots. The procedure can be performed usually in three practice visit and can be done without anesthesia.

Am I an ideal candidate for teeth whitening?

The effects of the teeth whitening should last for 1 to 3 years. Daily brushing and flossing will assist in maintaining the whiteness. The period of the whiteness will also depend on your personal habits. Drinking red wine, tea, coffee or smoking will shorten the life of the new whiteness. You may want to conduct a re-treatment in the future. This should not be as costly and time consuming as the original whitening procedure as you will already have the custom made trays.

In general, the best candidates for teeth whitening are:

Mature enough to fully understand the procedure
Experiencing stained and marked teeth
Knowledgeable about the procedure
Wanting to improve their appearance and confidence
Realistic in their expectations

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your dentist will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your dentist if they consider you an ideal candidate for this procedure.

Are there any alternatives?

Teeth that have dark stains may be better candidates for another whitening option such as veneers, bonding, or crowns. Your dentist can discuss the options best suited for your situation.

Patients interested in whitening their teeth should consult a dentist before taking on any form of treatment whatsoever. A consultation with a dentist will help you understand the benefits and risks associated with each of the options.

What are the risks and limitations?

Bleaching can produce side effects ranging from increased tooth sensitivity to pain and tenderness in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues. there is as well as a possibility of over-bleaching. The result will be a translucency that may appear grey from the shadows of the mouth. there is a low percentage of this occurring and only if the bleaching system is over-extended. Having a dentist supervise the system can eliminate this risk.

how can i choose an appropriate dentist?

With take-home bleaching there is a small risk of ingesting the gel administered by the dentist. The chances of this occurring are relatively small since your bleaching tray should fit perfectly around your teeth. However, if the gel is ingested, it may result in nausea, vomiting or burning. You should contact a doctor immediately if this occurs to you.

it is important you select a dentist adequately trained and experienced in teeth whitening. Your dentist is most likely equipped to administer teeth whitening. they will be able to assist you achieve your goals pertaining to teeth whitening.

What questions should I ask my dentist?

1. Are the desired results I described realistic?

2. Is there an alternative treatment that I should consider as well?

3. How long will the procedure take?

4. How much does it cost?

6. Have lots of patients had significant complications?

5. What is your experience in performing this procedure?

8. What should I expect after the procedure and what things should I avoid?

7. Can you give me some idea of the result I will achieve after the teeth whitening?