All About Tooth Whitening

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

02 May 2007 06:58 PM

A recent survey found that nearly half of consumers would feel better if their teeth were whiter. Check your choppers in the mirror -- are you thinking about tooth whitening?

Bleaching won't harm your teeth, as long as there's no sort of acid in the ingredients. Hydrogen or carbomide peroxide are whitening agents that help maintain the protective enamel on your teeth; acids like citric acid can strip the enamel away and leave your teeth sensitive. Be sure to read the label if you're using an over the counter product.

A home whitening kit can save you the big bucks on a professional cleaning with sparkling results.

1. Make sure your teeth are super clean. Cosmetic dentists suggest using a motorized toothbrush instead of a manual one. You may want to go into the office for a professional cleaning -- or wait to do your whitening until after your six month checkup.
2. Pick the method that's right for you. Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes may work more slowly and only lighten your teeth by one shade, but may fit into your daily routine better. Strips and trays have more whitening power, and can brighten your smile by up to three shades.
3. Follow the directions! Seems like a no-brainer, right?

Whitening treatments are not permanent. The bleaching agents pass through the enamel and temporarily lighten the natural color of your teeth. And this only works on your natural teeth -- caps and veneers are not lightened by whitening kits and treatments. If you need your caps or veneers whitened, you'll need to talk to your dentist.

If you want serious brightening -- more than three shades lighter -- you'll need a dental professional anyway. In-office bleaching treatments are expensive, but can brighten your smile by six shades or more. Just beware of over-bleaching, which can leave your teeth looking dull and grayish. You don't need both an at-home treatment and a professional bleaching... just pick one or the other!

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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