If you smoke or drink lots of coffee or dark colored drinks, the yellowing of your teeth will be worse. Our teeth have a tendency to yellow with time and age as it is. To help increase confidence and self-esteem, there are several teeth whitening solutions available to help restore the color of your teeth to their natural white.
Over the counter whitening products have varying issues. Whitening toothpaste is so normal now that it can almost be hard to get toothpaste without "whitening" ingredients. However, these toothpastes only remove very light surface stains. They can only lighten your teeth by about one shade - although they may also help slow yellowing over time by removing stains before they get deep into the tooth.
Whitening mouthwashes are also now available, but experts think they may not be very effective simply because they are in contact with the teeth for too short a time.
Some additional over the counter whitening options include strips and gels. These usually contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Strips are applied directly to the teeth while gels are applied using a small brush. There are also tray-based whitening systems that can be purchased over the counter or even from your local dentist.
The downside to over the counter whitening "systems" is the one size fits all approach and the reliance on the patient using them correctly. If they are used irregularly, they will be less effective. Also, there is a very real risk of damage to the gums from exposure to the bleach, causing irritation. As the over the counter whitening trays are not fitted to your teeth, they can, in rare cases, cause permanent tooth damage - which may cost more to fix than any savings from using an over the counter product.
Whitening of teeth shouldn't be done by everyone. For instance children under 16 shouldn't use whitening products. Pregnant and lactating moms should wait until you are no longer nursing or pregnant. If you have sensitive teeth it is recommended that you speak with your dentist prior as additional irritation can occur. If you have cavities or gum issues these should be treated first, as they can cause cavities to get worse. Whitening systems do not affect fillings or crowns which can cause uneven whitening.
While in-office whitening solutions may be more expensive there are a lot of benefits. They are properly supervised and steps are taken to ensure you will not have any problems from the chosen procedure.
A slightly cheaper alternative is to buy a whitening tray from your dentist. These trays or "stents" are made from impressions of your teeth, all but eliminating any risk of tooth damage and significantly lowering the risk to your gums. You wear them for a few hours a day for a week or two. If stains are very severe, your dentist may recommend a crown or a porcelain veneer instead.
Over the counter whitening products have varying issues. Whitening toothpaste is so normal now that it can almost be hard to get toothpaste without "whitening" ingredients. However, these toothpastes only remove very light surface stains. They can only lighten your teeth by about one shade - although they may also help slow yellowing over time by removing stains before they get deep into the tooth.
Whitening mouthwashes are also now available, but experts think they may not be very effective simply because they are in contact with the teeth for too short a time.
Some additional over the counter whitening options include strips and gels. These usually contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Strips are applied directly to the teeth while gels are applied using a small brush. There are also tray-based whitening systems that can be purchased over the counter or even from your local dentist.
The downside to over the counter whitening "systems" is the one size fits all approach and the reliance on the patient using them correctly. If they are used irregularly, they will be less effective. Also, there is a very real risk of damage to the gums from exposure to the bleach, causing irritation. As the over the counter whitening trays are not fitted to your teeth, they can, in rare cases, cause permanent tooth damage - which may cost more to fix than any savings from using an over the counter product.
Whitening of teeth shouldn't be done by everyone. For instance children under 16 shouldn't use whitening products. Pregnant and lactating moms should wait until you are no longer nursing or pregnant. If you have sensitive teeth it is recommended that you speak with your dentist prior as additional irritation can occur. If you have cavities or gum issues these should be treated first, as they can cause cavities to get worse. Whitening systems do not affect fillings or crowns which can cause uneven whitening.
While in-office whitening solutions may be more expensive there are a lot of benefits. They are properly supervised and steps are taken to ensure you will not have any problems from the chosen procedure.
A slightly cheaper alternative is to buy a whitening tray from your dentist. These trays or "stents" are made from impressions of your teeth, all but eliminating any risk of tooth damage and significantly lowering the risk to your gums. You wear them for a few hours a day for a week or two. If stains are very severe, your dentist may recommend a crown or a porcelain veneer instead.
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Want to find out more about Rockville, MD Family Cosmetic Dentistry, then visit Potomac Dental Clinic site on how to choose the best teeth whitening solution for your needs.