Archive for December, 2008

Tooth Whitening Safety

How can one whiten teeth? Well, most people opt to do one of several things. Some choose to concoct their own at-home remedy, others choose to purchase a whitening product, and others go to a dentist for laser teeth whitening or a similar procedure. As you can see, to whiten teeth is to open yourself up to a world of choices. Dental teeth whitening is one of the fastest growing areas of cosmetic dentistry, and for a good reason. People like the idea of being able to rejuvenate the look of their smile in a quick and pain-free way. Dental teeth whitening opens the doors to such possibilities.

But just how safe is it to decide one day that “I want to whiten my teeth”? The answer to this depends on several things. Those that say “I want to whiten my teeth without spending much money” are those that concern not only us, but many dentists as well. When you choose to whiten your teeth, or undergo any sort of dental procedure for that matter, you are putting a lot on the line. While deciding to whiten your teeth may sound like a harmless endeavor, it can turn costly and damaging very quickly. This article will discuss what dangers lurk for those who decide it’s time to whiten their teeth.

The whitening of teeth is typically accomplished by applying Carbamide peroxide to the surface of the teeth. The peroxide is typically contained in a tooth whitening gel. The tooth whitening gel is placed in a whitening tray, and applied to the patient’s teeth. For some whitening procedures, a special light is used to activate the tooth whitening gel. For some of you, the whitening of teeth procedure may sound harmless. However, the main ingredient in these whitening gels (Carbamide peroxide) can prove dangerous. When whitening your teeth (via a professional procedure or at-home product) you need to keep this chemical away from your gums. Peroxide can be extremely damaging to your gums, and can render the whitening process unpleasant. This is one of the reasons why it’s a better idea to have your teeth whitened by a dentist. Teeth whitening dentists are very familiar with the damaging effects whitening gels can have on various parts of the mouth. Thus, they know how imperative it is the activity of these gels is isolated in the tooth region. Teeth whitening dentists are professionally trained to provide a safe environment for the patient during whitening procedures, and will more often than not keep the other parts of your mouth well protected. Consumers aren’t trained in properly handling these gels, and thus raise their risk of causing damage. Manufacturers of whitening products have offset this danger by reducing the concentration of Carbamide peroxide that their whitening products contain. This in return has rendered them more safe yet less effective than professional whitening treatments. Thus, whitening your teeth is obviously not as safe as some make it out to be.

How can you counteract some of the safety issues which tooth whitening poses? Here are some teeth whitening tips that will help you in that pursuit. For one, if you’re going to use an over-the-counter product, follow the directions explicitly. Many people enjoy deviating from some directions. Why they choose to do such a dumb thing is beyond us. However, the result can be disastrous. Pay attention to how much gel the product asks you to apply to the tray, and how the tray is to be properly positioned in the mouth. This is one of the best teeth whitening tips for those looking to take the cheaper at-home approach. Another important tip is to avoid the more abnormal sounding home remedies. Some people recommend swishing peroxide in your mouth or applying strawberries to your teeth. Such whitening remedies could prove dangerous and conducive to dental damage. You need to consult a dentist before attempting to utilize such remedies. The safer ones to stick to include using baking soda during your tooth brushing routine, as well as utilizing a toothpaste specifically designed for teeth whitening.

We hope we’ve done away with the teeth whitening safe rumor that’s been perpetuated by those who are poorly informed when it comes to teeth whitening. It should be apparent that the teeth whitening safe rumor has caused many people to make poor decisions when attempting to whiten their teeth. Exercise good judgment when selecting your specific whitening solution, and be sure to pay attention to instructions provided with a product or instructions issued by a dentist. Unless you’re a seasoned cosmetic dentist who’s performed this procedure on a routine basis, you should follow any instructions that are provided to you.

Cost of Tooth Whitening

Anyone who’s looking to renew the look of their smile is naturally curious about teeth whitening cost. Like any other dental procedure, tooth whitening can cost a pretty penny. As you will learn in a minute, teeth whitening cost is controlled by several factors. However, those of you that are embarrassed by your yellow or otherwise discolored teeth will find that the cost of teeth whitening is well worth it. Putting the cost of teeth whitening aside, the procedure itself can give you a big sense of pride of confidence.

Your geographical location has some bearing on what teeth whitening price you should expect. Cosmetic dentists in some areas offer the procedure for a reduced cost, while dentists in other areas cater to more high-paying clientele. Nevertheless, location does indeed affect teeth whitening price. Teeth whitening prices are also controlled by the specific type of procedure you choose. Some of the whitening procedures are much cheaper than others. Teeth whitening prices will range from high to low, depending on the effectiveness of a particular procedure. This doesn’t mean that cheap teeth whitening procedures are ineffective. Rather, cheap teeth whitening treatments are for those with limited financial resources that want to rejuvenate their smile with the limited resources they have. Most dental tooth whitening procedures done by a professional cosmetic dentist tend to start at $150+ per arch. Again, this does not accurately reflect what all dentists will charge for the dental tooth whitening procedure. While this may seem exorbitant, one need remember that tooth whitening cost can be offset with health insurance. Some insurance companies will agree to cover the tooth whitening cost, given the circumstances are right. It is best that you talk with your insurance carrier first for more details.

Sometimes teeth whitening costs discourage people from seeking the services of a cosmetic dentist, and instead encourage them to seek at home treatments. Teeth whitening costs can be substantially reduced by choosing to go this route. However, you need to remember that the results of such a treatment aren’t always as magnificent. At home kits and whitening toothpastes offer consumers with limited discoloration a perfect alternative. Dentist tooth whitening is often not necessary for these consumers. However, for those with more severely stained or darkened teeth, dentist tooth whitening is recommended. You should choose what whitening route you want to take depending on the sort of money you have available. For example, a patient with a limited number of money won’t be able to cover dentist tooth whitening. In this scenario, laser tooth whitening shouldn’t be considered. However, others will be able to flip the dentist tooth whitening without troubles. The optimal whitening route will depend on a particular patients financial status as well as his/her whitening needs.

It should now be evident that tooth whitening cost is influenced by a variety of different factors, some which we can control, and others which we can’t. There are a plethora of different teeth whitening procedures available to consumers, each with their individual merits. Consumers should explore each of their options to determine which would suit them best before opting to go with a specific whitening procedure.

Types of Tooth Whitening

Consumers that are unfamiliar with the teeth whitening world will undoubtedly be overwhelmed when they learn about all the different types of teeth whitening procedures that are currently available. It is important that one understands that there is no universal best teeth whitening procedure for all consumers. The best teeth whitening procedure for you can only be determined after analyzing a vast array of different factors.

To begin, most consumers need to understand that in-office teeth whitening procedures are not for everyone. Something as simple as a home teeth whitening kit will suffice for most consumers. These kits can either come in a 22 teeth whitening form (where the gel consists of 22% Carbamide peroxide) or can come in a higher dosage. The 22 teeth whitening gel is popular and typically suffficent for those consumers with a small to moderate amount of tooth discoloration. The home teeth whitening kits that are currently available on the market utilize the power of different chemicals to bring about a noticeable change in the shade of your teeth. However, these teeth whitening products are not as effective as those available in a cosmetic dentist’s office. These particular teeth whitening products are designed for consumers that have relatively small amounts of yellowed teeth. You can determine whether an over-the-counter teeth whitening product is the right choice for you by consulting a dentist. He or she should be able to explain the extent of your tooth discoloration, and whether or not it can be solved by a readily available teeth whitening product designed for in-home use. A product which is popular for those looking for an at-home solution is known as the opalescence teeth whitening . The opalescence teeth whitening system comes equipped with teeth whitening trays, much like those used by cosmetic dentist during the teeth whitening procedure. The opalescence teeth whitening trays come preloaded with whitening solution. All consumers must to do is apply the try to their teeth for the specific amount of time, and then remove it. They repeat this process for a certain amount of time until the desired whitening effect is achieved.

Some of that has a heavy amount of tooth discoloration will benefit most from whitening procedures available inside the dentist’s office, such as a laser teeth whitening procedure. In the laser teeth whitening procedure, a special gel is applied to the patient’s teeth. This teeth whitening gel is then activated by a light which is directed to the patient’s mouth. This light activates the teeth whitening gel and that allows it to have a bleaching effect on the teeth. This particular teeth whitening system which we just touched on is highly effective and thus consumers should expect to pay a good amount of money for it. Consumers should consult their local cosmetic dentist for specific information on how much disk to Twining system will run them. Some factors which could affect the price either positively or negatively include your specific location, the skill of the cosmetic dentist, etc.

Most of you are probably wondering how professional teeth whitening systems differ from those available for at-home use. This is common as many people find it difficult to justify spending large amounts of money towards an in-office procedure when they can spend less money and have the teeth whitening accomplished at home. We will touch on some of the differences that make professional teeth whitening more optimal in most circumstances shortly.

Believe it or not at-home teeth whitening systems utilize the same chemicals that dentist teeth whitening systems use. The main difference between both systems is the concentration of the main chemical that is designed to bring about the substantial whitening effect. At home teeth whitening kits contain much smaller amounts of this chemical, whereas dentist teeth whitening systems contain much more. This chemical, known as carbamide peroxide can be dangerous when applied to the teeth in excessive amounts. This is one of the underlying reasons why carbamide peroxide teeth whitening is done in higher concentrations at the dentist’s office. If done improperly, carbamide peroxide teeth whitening can cause substantial damage to the gums as well as to the teeth. This is why concentrations of the main ingredients in whitening products is kept in a small amount.

Understandably, some people don’t like the idea of a messing with their tooth color with over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Although, we can assure you that over the counter teeth whitening products pose absolutely no danger to the consumer, some people are just inherently wary of using them. Fortunately, some people have devised some natural teeth whitening systems. We will describe some of these natural teeth whitening systems for your reference only. However, we can make no specific recommendations in regards to which will bring about the best results. First up on our list a natural whining treatments is the hydrogen peroxide teeth whining treatment. This treatment makes use of readily available hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening purposes. While hydrogen peroxide does indeed have the capability of whining one’s teeth, the safety of using it on a long-term basis is questionable. Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening should be discussed in detail with a doctor before being considered as an option for whitening your teeth. A safer alternative to Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening is using baking soda. Baking soda has an abrasive characteristic which allows it to shave off dental stains and discoloration. Baking soda can be dabbed on a toothbrush before toothpaste, and then applied to the teeth in a circular motion. If used on a daily basis and consistently, the baking soda teeth whitening is effective and will produce results. Baking soda teeth whitening is an economical yet safe option for those looking to get whiter teeth. Take note that many toothpastes already contain baking soda. Thus, incorporating baking soda into your current brushing regimen may prove ineffective.

Some other teeth whitening home remedies which you may include using strawberries and such. Although strawberries can have a whitening effect, they can compromise the integrity of your tooth enamel and thus lead to severe dental problems down the line. This is one of the teeth whitening home remedies which are probably want to avoid. The above example demonstrates why it is highly important that those with discolored teeth disguised proposed teeth whitening method with their dentist carefully and concisely. This will ensure that the particular teeth whitening methods which they are interested in one harm their teeth.

The caveat with homemade teeth whitening systems is that there is absolutely no guarantee as to what sort of results you will see. Some people report good outcomes with homemade teeth whitening treatments, while others will report less than favorable results. An actual teeth whitener, in most cases, does not possess the power of commercially available whitening systems. Thus, the majority and natural teeth whitener systems tend to be ineffective. It’s best to stick to those teeth whitening treatments which are available over the counter or provided by a cosmetic dentist.

Some of the best teeth whitners for the average person are available on an over-the-counter basis. Such whitners can come in the form of a pre-filled whitening tray or as a toothpaste. For people with low to moderate tooth discoloration, these sorts of products are indeed the best teeth whiteners in terms of price and effectiveness. Teeth whitening toothpaste is a popular option for those looking to save money as well as whiten their teeth. With teeth whitening toothpaste, you don’t need to waste your time applying a whitening gel to your teeth. You simply brush your teeth as usual and get on with your day. A whitening toothpaste which has escalated in popularity is the rembrandt teeth whitening toothpaste. The rembrandt teeth whitening system is available in either a toothpaste form or in a whitening pen form. Both are convenient to apply and readily available at a local convenience store. One should not expect professional results wiht the rembrandt tooth whitening system. It is an at-home whitening product that doesn’t have as potent an effect as in-office whitenign treatments. However, the rembrandt tooth whitening treatment can prove perfect for those with little to moderate tooth discoloration. The best part is that the rembrandt teeth whitening system can be had rather inexpensively. Colgate teeth whitening systems are also similar in nature. They can applied in various ways and offer consmers an effective means to whiten their teeth. Colgate teeth whitening systems are also available conveniently and cheaply.

We’ve mentioned some noteworthy tooth whitening products above. But, how can a consumer tell which tooth whitening products are better than others? First, there are sites that feature teeth whitening reviews for free. These reviews can give consumers a well-rounded idea as to the effectiveness of a particular product. You can find these free teeth whitening reviews by using your favorite search engine. Don’t rely on one teeth whitening review to make a final decision on a certain product. You should browse through as many reviews as possible to get an accurate image of a specific product. A single teeth whitening review could be biased or otherwise inaccurate.

Home tooth whitening, although indeed effective, is not for those with significant amounts of tooth discoloration. Although they may able to lighten their teeth somewhat, they shouldn’t expect to achieve a full whitening effect. Home tooth whitening should only be utilized by those with a limited amount of tooth discoloration and who aren’t expecting celebrity white smiles.

It’s common for people to wonder whether the teeth whitening bleaching procedure is safe. Fortunately, when the procedure is performed by a qualified dentist, it is safe for most patients. Dentists who perform teeth whitening bleaching procedures should be familiar with proper safety protocol (in regards to keeping the bleaching solution away from the gums and other areas of the mouth) and should know how long the solution must be allowed to sit on the teeth. The solution which most dentists use for whitening patients is the same one found in over the counter teeth whitening gels. These teeth whitening gels contain almost identical chemicals, however, contain them in much lesser concentrations.

Dentists who use a teeth whitening bleach may also utilize a light during the whitening procedure. This light is designed to activate the teeth whitening bleach to produce the desired whitening effect. Most over-the-counter products or home remedies for whitening teeth don’t utilize such a light. This is because the whitening ingredient in the product doesn’t require any sort of activation. It is important to note, however, that most home remedies for whitening teeth don’t use the chemicals found in over-the-counter products or in-office treatments. A typical home remedy teeth whitening makes use of fruit or other readily available household items to create a whitening effect. As we’ve said above, not all home remedy teeth whitening treatments are effective or safe. It is best to consult your dentist before trying any of the home remedies.

Since many of you might be interested in what both over-the-counter products and in-office treatments have to offer, we will describe some below.

First up on our lineup of teeth whitening products is the Brite teeth whitening treatment. The Brite teeth whitening treatment is a relatively inexpensive procedure (around $299 at the time of this writing) that takes about an hour. The Brite teeth whitening system works in the way that many in-office whitening treatments do. A special gel is applied to the patient’s teeth, the gel is then is activated by a light, and the patient is allowed to sit with the light focused on their mouth for some 20 minutes. This is repeated twice for increased effectiveness. Once done, the patient should have a noticeably brighter smile. The Brite teeth whitening system is undoubtedly convenient and optimal for those who have a limited amount of time and cash to spare. The britesmile teeth whitening system is provided by dentists on a nationwide basis. More information on particular practices which provide the britesmile teeth whitening solution is available on the Brightsmile website. You can even pay for your britesmile teeth whitening treatment online! Talk about major convenience. Brite smile teeth whitening may be available in your area. For those looking to save a bit of money on their whitening procedure, it may be worth taking a longer drive to receive the Brite smile teeth whitening treatment. Brite tooth whitening is the best choice for consumers with a limited budget. It’s best to speak to someone whose undergone the brite tooth whitening procedure to get a good idea of whether or not the experience fits your needs.

Next up we will be dealing with an over-the-counter product. This product is known as the white light teeth whitening system. The system consists of a portable light that is designed to whiten your teeth. The light is meant to activate a gel that comes bundled with the white light teeth whitening system. According to a website showcasing the white light teeth whitening product, the system can remove coffee and tea stains, along with other common tooth discolorations. The white light teeth whitening system is perfect for those who are constantly traveling and don’t really have time to invest in a more professional treatment. You really have nothing to loose by quickly trying this treatment to see if it helps with your tooth discoloration. It doesn’t appear to us that the white light tooth whitening system is available in traditional stores. One would have to order the white light tooth whitening system online. We would suggest you conduct adequate research before purchasing the white light tooth whitening treatment from a particular retailer, for getting scammed is a common occurrence in the online world. Considering the whitelight tooth whitening system requires a small investment when compared to the other whitening treatments that require a significantly larger one, we’d think it should be tested out by those who aren’t quite ready to embark on a professional whitening treatment. As we’ve said, the whitelight tooth whitening system can be obtained relatively easily and without a wallet draining investment.

Next, let’s examine the blue light teeth whitening systems. These systems are those available in stores that include portable lights and a whitening gel (much like the system we’ve described above). Most consumers have reported semi-satisfactory results with blue light teeth whitening systems. We feel that blue light teeth whitening systems have been getting a bad rap in recent years. The main problem is that consumers have far too high expectations for these blue light teeth whitening treatments. You won’t get professional results from these systems as you would from a dentist’s office. The bottom line is that the blue light teeth whitening systems are for those people who want a more subtle whitening effect, yet don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars to have their teeth whitened professionally. Light tooth whitening systems are not for those with a large amount of tooth discoloration. As a matter of fact, consumers with a substantial amount of tooth discoloration will be disappointed by light tooth whitening systems. Minimal discoloration can be treated with a light tooth whitening system, and we suggest that only people with such discoloration explore this route.

We’ve discussed this particular system before, but feel it is worth another look at. The opalescence tooth whitening system is yet another at-home whitening treatment that is manufactured by Ultradent Products, Inc. The opalescence tooth whitening system comes with a whitening tray and the opalescence tooth whitening gel. The opalescence tooth whitening gel is applied to the mouthguard, after which it is applied to the teeth. The opalescence tooth whitening gel should begin working at your teeth almost immediately. You are to use opalescence tooth whitening system for 1 hour each day until the desired affects are achieved. According to the opalescence tooth whitening website, the products differs from most at-home products in the sense that it contains much higher concentrations of peroxide. The opalescence tooth whitening treatment looks promising and is a tooth whitening product most consumers will appreciate.

Now we move on to yet another at-home kit, this one dubbed the bright teeth whitening system. Actually, there are several bright teeth whitening treatments which consumers have to choose from. There is a 36% whitening gel for those with more severe tooth discoloration, as well as a 22% whitening gel for those with less. The bright teeth whitening kit comes with a mouth tray, light, and whitening gel. It also includes a remineralization gel which gives strength to your teeth to help combat dental caries and other forms of dental decay. The bright teeth whitening system is a laser tooth whitening product that makes use of a special whitening gel. This gel, like most used in tooth whitening treatments, consists of a substantial concentration of Carbamide Peroxide. The peroxide in the bright teeth whitening system is activated by the laser light included in the kit. The tooth whitening light is portable and can be taken around when traveling if necessary. The tooth whitening light requires standard batteries for operation. This laser tooth whitening kit is powerful and allegedly sold to dentists and spas. The manufacturer provides a 30-day guarantee to consumers. This laser tooth whitening treatment is available for online purchase and is again comparatively inexpensive. It is worth a quick glance for anyone hoping to receive whitening treatment without the expense of professional services.

Above, we just touched on some of the tooth whitening bleaching systems available to consumers. But how can you tell which tooth whitening bleaching treatment is the most ideal for you? We will discuss this in detail below.

It’s important to understand that the best teeth whitening product for one person, is not exactly the best for another. What’s best for a single individual comes down to one main thing, the sort of whitening effect they hope to achieve. The best teeth whitening product is honestly the one that gets your desired whitening effect accomplished. Some people require a small amount of whitening, while others require a more profound amount.

As said again and again, the best teeth whitening system for those with little discoloration is an over-the-counter product. We can only vowge for some home remedies (such as baking soda) that are safe and won’t compromise the strength of your teeth. The problem with natural tooth whitening is that people don’t have sufficient dental expertise to determine what is ok and what is not. We wouldn’t condone natural tooth whitening using fruits or other things without the advice of a qualified dentist. Otherwise, stick to the over-the-counter products. These will undoubtedly prove to be the best teeth whitening system for those with a small amount of discoloration.

To determine what the best teeth whitening products are for your particular situation, you need to read as many tooth whitening reviews as possible. These tooth whitening reviews should be done by consumers who have actually used the product, not authors from review sites that may have some interest in raving about the product. The best teeth whitening products will not be hard to come by once you’ve read several of these first-hand reviews.

Essentially, the best tooth whitening product for those with small amounts of discoloration is an over-the-counter tooth whitening at home product. We’ve discussed some of these tooth whitening at home products above. If none of those fit what you’re looking for in a whitening product, you can research some additional products and read any reviews that may have been conducted on them. Be sure not to form an opinion on one mere tooth whitening review. You need to look at the reviews at a holistic level. A single tooth whitening review will not give you an overall picture of a particular product. The best tooth whitening solution for those with a larger amount of discoloration is an in-office smile tooth whitening treatment. Sure, the smile tooth whitening treatments that are offered in dentist’s office are more expensive, and possibly inconvenient when compared to “at-home” over the counter products, but they produce much more potent results. White tooth whitening in a dentist’s office also gives you the benefit of some professional advice. Your dentist will be able to guide you through some methods that will allow you to maintain your newly whitened smile. The cost of some white tooth whitening procedures offered in-office can be high, but the benefits that come bundled with such procedures are arguably evident.