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 bleach your smile 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 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, this entire process seems safe. 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. Cosmetic 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 that the mechanism of these gels is isolated to the proper areas. 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 using special dams. 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 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 unusual 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 safety rumors that have been perpetuated by those who are poorly informed when it comes to teeth whitening. Its unfortunate that many people have made senseless decisions based on these misinformed notions that have lead to tooth enamel damage, tooth sensitivity and other issues. 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.

Your geographical location has some bearing on what price you should expect pay. Cosmetic dentists in some areas offer the procedure for a reduced cost (e.g. rural areas), while dentists in areas like Beverly Hills cater to more high-paying clientele. Nevertheless, location can have a drastic effect on your pocket book. The type of whitening treatment you choose also dictates the final cost. Teeth whitening prices will range from high to low, depending on the effectiveness of a particular procedure. This doesn’t mean that affordable treatment is ineffective. Rather, inexpensive whitening is for those with limited financial resources that want to rejuvenate their smile with the limited resources they have. Most whitening procedures done by a professional cosmetic dentist tend to start at $150+ per arch. Again, this may not accurately reflect what you may be charged. Dental insurance will not offset this cost in any way as the procedure is entirely elective. Although there is some debate on the overall health effect of a white smile as it relates to confidence and self-esteem, treatment is still not covered under most policies.

Sometimes outrageous costs discourage people from seeking the services of a cosmetic dentist, and instead encourage them to seek at home treatments. You can reap substantial savings by following this same path. 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. Professional whitening is often not necessary for these consumers. However, for those with more severely stained or darkened teeth, professional assistance is strongly recommended. You should choose what whitening method you want to utilize depending on the sort of money you have available and an assessment of the current state of your smile. If there is only minor discoloration, moving forward might be cause more harm than good. Some of the disconcerting symptoms that can manifest after whitening include tooth sensitivity. Thus, unless you want to experience such discomfort its best to avoid treatment unless deemed absolutely necessary.

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 and equally effective whitening treatments 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 one.

Teeth whitening or tooth bleaching refers to the same procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Recent studies have indicated that teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure in the world. Most people in society find white smiles utterly attractive, hence why many are more than ready to spend several hundred if not several thousands of dollars to improve the look of their smile.

As children, most of us had white teeth. Unfortunately, as one grows up and sheds their baby teeth, their smile begins to dim in color. The darkening effect is exasperated as our teeth undergo mineral restructuring and changes in enamel porosity. When combined with our eating and oral hygiene habits (or lack thereof), it’s anything but surprising to see why our teeth lose their white glow.

The teeth whitening procedure utilizes various chemicals to bring out the radiant glow of our teeth. Whitening kits typically make use of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to help the teeth regain their white appearance. These two chemicals, referred to as oxidizing agents, make their way into the teeth (via the porous enamel) and proceed to erase stains. The bleaching agents can even make their way into the dentin, bleaching it as well. Despite popular belief, the bleaching effect does not permanently linger. Those who undergo a whitening procedure should expect their teeth to return to their normal shade within several months. Keep in mind, the return to a more natural shade could be expedited by your eating habits. You can often opt to go in for follow-up appointments to have your teeth re-whitened, thus enabling you to maintain your white smile.

Those wishing to have their teeth whitened can elect to either visit a cosmetic dentist or purchase an at-home whitening kit. Teeth whitening performed in a dentist’s office typically entails the application of a bleaching agent on the teeth for a limited amount of time. This time can range anywhere from half and hour to an hour. Many patients are asked to sit under a special light, which activates the bleaching agent. The use of a light can also expedite the teeth whitening process. Before the bleaching process gets underway, a dentist applies a special protective substance to the gums to protect them from the bleaching agent. As we’ve mentioned above, the cosmetic dentist can choose to use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent. The former will eventually transform into hydrogen peroxide while inside the mouth. The usual whitening gel contains either thirty-five percent carbamide peroxide or around ten percent hydrogen peroxide.

Take home teeth whitening kits are considerably less powerful than in-office procedures. Most kits either come with application strips or a mouthguard that is meant to be lined with the bleaching agent. Instead of being applied for an hour or less, those who purchase an at-home kit are expected to keep the gel applied to their teeth for a few hours a day (for one or two weeks). This should give the weaker bleaching agent sufficient time to make its way into the enamel. People using take home kits need not be concerned over gum damage with their kits. The take home teeth whitening kits often contain far too small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to cause any damage to the gums.

As with other procedures, results with at-home teeth whitening kits have been known to vary. Some have reported seeing results in as little as a few days. Others report seeing minimalist results, even after pursuing the treatment for its entire duration.

Most dentists recommend in-office treatments as over the counter products are lacking in several areas. For one, the mouthguard or strips are limited in their ability to adequately surround the teeth. Thus, there is a potential chance that some parts of the teeth may remain unbleached. Those that are set on an at-home procedure should consult their local cosmetic dentist’s office to see whether they offer custom whitening kits. These kits tend to perform better than store-bought treatments.

Bleaching treatments tend to be successful in whitening a patient’s teeth. However, one should remember not to have exorbitant expectations. Some stains simply won’t go away, no matter how many bleaching treatments you undergo. Further, staining caused by some sources (such as antibiotic treatments) may require longer treatment to give the bleaching agent ample time to reach the location of the stain. People with some pre-existing dental conditions (whitespots, dental caries, etc.) may respond poorly to whitening treatments. Trials have shown that those with yellow teeth respond best to whitening treatments.

While mostly safe, teeth whitening does have its risks. For one, a patient may suffer from burns and increased sensitivity. The latter is merely temporary and should subside as irritation in the gums settles. Please be aware that over-use of whitening treatments can cause increased sensitivity and can also lead to enamel damage. At-home kits tend to be the culprit of enamel damage.

Those with dental conditions (such as sensitive teeth, gum problems, etc.) should first consult their general dentists before undergoing any sort of whitening procedure. Likewise, those allergic to peroxide should also veer clear of whitening treatments.

Not everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening. Women who are pregnant should wait until after giving birth to get their teeth whitened. Children under the age of sixteen are also ill-advised to undergo whitening treatment. Children this young could sustain pulp damage from such a procedure.

Please be aware that whitening will not affect the color of most dental restorations (veneers, crowns, etc.). It can, however, reverse darkening due to staining. However, it can slightly impact the color of restorative pieces manufactured of a composite-like material (composite fillings, etc.).

Most dental professionals (as do we) recommend prospective teeth whitening patients consult with their general dentists before undergoing a teeth whitening procedure. While tooth bleaching is not a very dangerous procedure, it’s always best to be safe.