The quest for whiter and brighter teeth doesn't end with proper brushing and flossing.
Teeth that have been stained over time often require drastic measures to lighten, and people who desperately want to regain their teeth's former glory will go to great lengths to get that done.
Though it's a known fact that teeth darken with age, people are also partly to blame for it, especially those who regularly drink teeth-staining beverages like coffee, tea and red wine.
Teeth can also darken due to personal habits like smoking or when you just don't take good care of them like you should.
Whatever the reason, people turn to teeth whitening as a quick solution, often investing a lot of money in over the counter products like toothpastes, strips, pens, etc.
, just to get whiter, brighter teeth.
However, since not all products are created equal, this may actually do more harm than good to your finances.
Various procedures have gained popularity over the years because they are not only the fastest way to whiten teeth; they are also considered the least expensive.
It may be important to note that while teeth whitening is also known as teeth bleaching but there's a slight difference.
Whitening promises to restore your teeth's natural color while bleaching whitens beyond your teeth's natural color.
This difference is something people tend to be confused about which is why in their haste to achieve their goal, they end up paying more than they should but getting less.
This is the reason why it is important that before you go and have your teeth whitened, whether at a dentist's office or with over-the-counter whitening products, you need to consult a qualified expert first to determine if it is the right procedure for you.
Also, not all procedures are created equal and you will also need to determine which procedure will work best in giving you the desired results.
Teeth bleaching procedures are basically divided in four types: in-office bleaching, dentist-prescribed systems, over-the-counter and non-dental options like visiting a spa or salon for laser whitening treatments.
The latter in fact, has been gaining quite a following since the procedure they use is touted to be just as safe and effective as that of a dentist's and at lower prices too.
They are however, been restricted and even banned in several states and jurisdictions, and consumers have been advised to go to the dentist for any procedure they want done.
In-office procedures take just under an hour to do and involves the dentist applying whitening gel directly on your teeth.
He then uses a special light to activate the chemicals in the gel which in turn, speeds up the process.
To protect the soft tissues around the gum, the dentist makes the patient wear a protective mouth guard during the entire process.
Dentist-prescribed systems on the other hand, involve the dentist making an impression of your teeth and to create a mouthpiece tray in which to put the whitening gel.
This custom-fit tray maximizes the contact between your teeth and the gel for best results.
Over-counter-products, on the other hand, consists of whitening toothpastes, strips, gels and rinses that contain carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate and calcium peroxide which are active bleaching agents.
The timeframe to get visible results from these products usually ranges between 14 days to 12 weeks depending.
While not as quick as an in-office procedure, people still prefer it because it gives the same results, albeit slower but at a lower price.
Whatever procedure you choose, you need to make sure that you have not undergone any restorations or root canals as these can prevent the whitening procedure from working.
Brownish or grayish colored teeth are also not recommended for this type of procedure because it only works best on yellowish colored teeth.
This is also a procedure not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers as the laser is deemed unsafe for the unborn fetus or during lactation.
Teeth that have been stained over time often require drastic measures to lighten, and people who desperately want to regain their teeth's former glory will go to great lengths to get that done.
Though it's a known fact that teeth darken with age, people are also partly to blame for it, especially those who regularly drink teeth-staining beverages like coffee, tea and red wine.
Teeth can also darken due to personal habits like smoking or when you just don't take good care of them like you should.
Whatever the reason, people turn to teeth whitening as a quick solution, often investing a lot of money in over the counter products like toothpastes, strips, pens, etc.
, just to get whiter, brighter teeth.
However, since not all products are created equal, this may actually do more harm than good to your finances.
Various procedures have gained popularity over the years because they are not only the fastest way to whiten teeth; they are also considered the least expensive.
It may be important to note that while teeth whitening is also known as teeth bleaching but there's a slight difference.
Whitening promises to restore your teeth's natural color while bleaching whitens beyond your teeth's natural color.
This difference is something people tend to be confused about which is why in their haste to achieve their goal, they end up paying more than they should but getting less.
This is the reason why it is important that before you go and have your teeth whitened, whether at a dentist's office or with over-the-counter whitening products, you need to consult a qualified expert first to determine if it is the right procedure for you.
Also, not all procedures are created equal and you will also need to determine which procedure will work best in giving you the desired results.
Teeth bleaching procedures are basically divided in four types: in-office bleaching, dentist-prescribed systems, over-the-counter and non-dental options like visiting a spa or salon for laser whitening treatments.
The latter in fact, has been gaining quite a following since the procedure they use is touted to be just as safe and effective as that of a dentist's and at lower prices too.
They are however, been restricted and even banned in several states and jurisdictions, and consumers have been advised to go to the dentist for any procedure they want done.
In-office procedures take just under an hour to do and involves the dentist applying whitening gel directly on your teeth.
He then uses a special light to activate the chemicals in the gel which in turn, speeds up the process.
To protect the soft tissues around the gum, the dentist makes the patient wear a protective mouth guard during the entire process.
Dentist-prescribed systems on the other hand, involve the dentist making an impression of your teeth and to create a mouthpiece tray in which to put the whitening gel.
This custom-fit tray maximizes the contact between your teeth and the gel for best results.
Over-counter-products, on the other hand, consists of whitening toothpastes, strips, gels and rinses that contain carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate and calcium peroxide which are active bleaching agents.
The timeframe to get visible results from these products usually ranges between 14 days to 12 weeks depending.
While not as quick as an in-office procedure, people still prefer it because it gives the same results, albeit slower but at a lower price.
Whatever procedure you choose, you need to make sure that you have not undergone any restorations or root canals as these can prevent the whitening procedure from working.
Brownish or grayish colored teeth are also not recommended for this type of procedure because it only works best on yellowish colored teeth.
This is also a procedure not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers as the laser is deemed unsafe for the unborn fetus or during lactation.
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