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Teeth Whitening Methods

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Over the past few years, teeth whitening has become increasingly popular among dental patients of all ages. This is especially true since over-the-counter whitening products have become available at affordable prices. If you decide to whiten your teeth, there are several products to choose from:

• Over-the-counter tray-based products: Tray-based products were among the first over-the-counter teeth whitening methods. These products come with a tray designed to fit anyone’s mouth and a whitening gel. Most will require that you spend at least two hours a day for several weeks before you see results.

• Whitening strips: This popular method for whitening your teeth requires that you apply strips twice a day, usually for a 14-day period.

• Whitening gels: There are several brands of gels available over-the-counter. These are products that you simply apply directly on your teeth. Just as is the case with strips, you’ll usually need to apply the gel twice a day for two weeks to see maximum results.

• Professional whitening: Without a doubt, the most effective way to whiten your teeth is with products that are available only through your dentist. He or she can talk to you about which type of product is best for you. You can choose to either have your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office or to have impressions of your teeth made that are used to create custom-made trays you can take home. If you choose the latter option, your dentist will provide a whitening agent that you can use with your trays at home any time you’d like.

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

Whitening Your Teeth

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With the availability of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products, more and more people are taking measures to make their smiles brighter. A variety of different types of products are available in your local drug store, all designed to help whiten your teeth: toothpastes, mouth rinses, whitening gels and strips. Toothpastes and mouth rinses generally take longer to work, but the OTC whitening strips and gels can be effective if you use them repeatedly over a long period of time.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

 

If your teeth are seriously stained, or if you want to see results in a hurry, talk to your dentist about the following professional whitening options:

• The first is a strong hydrogen peroxide solution combined with custom trays that you can use yourself at home. You’ll need to visit your dentist to have forms of your teeth made, which are then sent to a dental lab where your custom trays are created. After that, you’ll be asked to return to your dentist’s office to pick up the trays and the bleaching solution. Once you’re back home, you can use the whitening solution and trays yourself – anywhere from a few hours at a time to overnight – until you achieve the level of whitening you’re looking for.

• The second type of professional whitening treatment that your dentist can offer involves a whitening solution used in combination with heat, a laser or a special light. This is typically the most expensive option, but also produces the fastest, most obvious results.

 

There are two things to remember when it comes to whitening your teeth:

• Only your natural teeth can be whitened, so crowns and other dental work won’t be affected.

• Whitening is considered to be cosmetic dentistry, so most insurance companies won’t cover the cost.

 

 

Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

The Advantages of Dental Veneers

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gumsA dental veneer refers to a thin layer of ceramic or porcelain material that completely covers a tooth. Veneers are a great choice if you want to close up spaces between your teeth, repair a broken tooth, make crooked teeth appear straight or stained teeth look whiter.

The process involved in getting a dental veneer is relatively simple and quick. First, your dentist will remove approximately 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface. He’ll then create an impression of the tooth. Dental lab technicians will then make a veneer for the tooth based on the impression, and your dentist will apply the veneer using an adhesive and a light beam to quicken the hardening process.

There are several advantages of dental veneers:

• Dental veneers look just like your natural teeth. Because the veneer is made from an impression, the shape matches your original tooth. Lab technicians also make sure that the shade of the veneer is as close as possible to the rest of your teeth.
• Veneers are usually less expensive than other alternatives, such as crowns.
• Dental veneers will typically last for many years.
• Veneers are easy to maintain. You simply use the same oral hygiene techniques that you would for your normal teeth – namely, brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and checkups.

Ask your dentist for more information about dental veneers. He or she can help you decide whether or not you’re a good candidate for this innovative solution to many dental problems.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/america-asks-12/cosmetic-dentistry

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Zoom! Teeth Whitening Patient’s Guide

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smileAchieving a whiter, brighter smile just got easier with the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure. This in-office tooth whitening treatment is designed to gently remove stains and discoloration that occur on the teeth’s enamel or dentin.

The Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure is commonly used to remove the following types of discolorations and stains:

  • • Coffee and Tea Stains
  • • Red Wine Stains
  • • Tobacco Stains from Smoking
  • • Discoloration caused by the Aging Process

A onetime office visit is required for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure. The procedure begins with the placing of a hydrogen peroxide gel on the teeth. After placing the gel on the teeth, a Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp is placed directly onto the teeth for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the gel is reapplied and the process continues two more times.

Before you sign up for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure, your dentist will require that you attend an in-office consultation. This consultation is required and helps the dentist determine if you are a good candidate for this type of teeth whitening procedure.

The consultation typically includes:

  • • An examination of the teeth and gums
  • • Several questions regarding oral hygiene routines, lifestyle habits
  • • A brief inspection of previous dental work, such as crowns or veneers

 

Good candidates for the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure include:

  • • People with healthy gums
  • • People with strong, healthy teeth enamel
  • • People who have healthy oral hygiene routines

The average cost of this tooth whitening treatment is approximately $500. It may or may not be covered by insurance depending upon your insurance policy.

 

Source:  http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/zoom-whitening/

 

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Different Methods for Whitening Your Teeth

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Different Methods for Teeth Whitening Teeth whitening has become all the rage over the last few years. You can choose to whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products, or visit your dentist to have it professionally done.

Whichever method you choose, it’s helpful to know how effective each one is and what will be required to get the job done:



Tray-based over-the-counter products:
One of the earliest forms of over-the-counter (or OTC) methods for teeth whitening came with tray-based products. These kits consist of a generic, one-size-fits-all tray and whitening gel. Most require you to spend two hours a day for a period of four weeks to achieve optimum results.

Strips:
One of the more popular OTC methods for brightening your smile is whitening strips. To get the best results with these products, you’ll usually have to apply them twice a day for two weeks. The results often last for several months.

Gels:
Another more recent advent in the world of teeth-whitening products is a gel that you apply directly on the teeth. Similar to strips, gels require twice-a-day application for two weeks, and results generally last about 4 months.

Rinses:
One of the newest innovations is the whitening rinse. All that’s required is simply rinsing your mouth twice a day for about 60 seconds each time. Although this method is certainly easier than others, it’s also not as effective.

Professional whitening:
Your dentist can provide the most effective means of whitening your teeth either in the dental office or with custom-made trays at home. Not only is this the most effective method for whitening, but it will also allow your dentist to help resolve any issues that may result from whitening procedures, such as increased sensitivity.

Read more about types of teeth whitening

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Dental Braces Improves Thanks to Nanotechnology

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Now that brace systems have been in use for several years, dental professionals are getting a clear picture of the side effects that may be seen with their use. The clear, transparent braces are certainly helping to retain the self-confidence of patients forced to wear the mouth gear, but there are signs of wear and tear evident.

Fortunately, researchers are looking into a solution to the problem that comes with the transparent braces, so patients can continue to enjoy a less obvious correction method without future complications. Nanotechnology is being toted and a very likely and hopeful solution. The new material created by the team of researchers would reduce mechanical and friction resistance – the root cause of wear and tear.

Nano-reinforced plastics will be useful in many applications throughout several industries, but for the dental community it can mean a more resilient, nearly invisible teeth correction system. The material is more rigid and would not give in to the constant chewing, talking and other movement of the mouth. This is all thanks to minute particles known as alumina nanoparticles, which are spread evenly through the currently utilized polysulfone.

The process has been patented by the UC3M Polymers and Composite Group. There is more work to be done to bring this product to the general population, but there is hope that dental patients will have less to fear from braces in the future.

For more information, continue reading the full article.

10 Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean

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You’ve invested a considerable amount of money in braces to make your child’s or your own smile as beautiful as it can be. You certainly don’t want to unwittingly sabotage that investment by eating the wrong foods and failing to properly care for your teeth and braces. Teeth with braces DO require a little extra care. However, you can help your children’s dentist keep their teeth healthy by encouraging your kids with braces to follows these easy tips:

  1. 1. Learn to brush right. Brushing your teeth with braces takes a little extra effort. Make sure to brush at least twice a day or after every meal. Begin by brushing the area between the gums and the wires, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle and then move to the inside of the teeth. It’s a good idea to divide your mouth in quarters when you brush, like the dentists do. That way you won’t spend more time on one area and ignore another. Spend approximately 30 seconds on each section. Rinse after brushing and inspect your mouth in the mirror for any food particles that may have been missed.

  2. 2. Make sure to floss. Flossing is extra important to people with braces. There are so many additional places where food particles can hide. If your kids don’t already know how to floss, make sure to add it to their daily teeth-cleaning routine.

  3. 3. Consider an electric toothbrush. A gentle, electric toothbrush with a soft, small head can make cleaning those hard-to-reach areas a lot easier and a lot quicker. Choose a model like the Rota-dent that has a tip small enough to fit under the wires of the braces.

  4. 4. Avoid sticky foods. Some foods are just better left to enjoy when the braces come off. Sticky foods, like caramel, gum, beef jerky and gummy bears can get tangled up in the wires of the braces and are next to impossible to remove.

  5. 5. Cut up hard foods. In addition, hard, solid foods, like apples, pears, and hard rolls and bagels can bend or loosen the wires and connections of your braces. Better to cut up these foods into bite-size pieces.

  6. 6. Use a knife and fork. Not only is it more polite, but cutting up your food rather than biting into it is much easier on your braces. This even applies to traditional hand-held foods like ribs, corn-on-the-cob and chicken wings.

  7. 7. Leave the pen and pencil on the desk. Nervous habits, such as chewing a pencil or pen while a student considers the answer to the next test question can wreak havoc with the wires on braces. Better to leave your writing implements on the desk where they below in between questions.

  8. 8. Avoid sugary drinks. Drinks with sugar can get under the metals braces and wires and cause tooth decay. Best to avoid drinking soda, sports drinks and even most fruit juices while you’re wearing braces.

  9. 9. Carry a toothbrush. When you have braces, you can’t always run home to brush after every meal. Be prepared for those times by carrying a toothbrush with you in a plastic case. It doesn’t take up much room in a purse or backpack and can make a big difference to your smile.

  10. 10. Keep your dental appointments. Even the most diligent home teeth-cleaning regimen can’t compare to a professional cleaning by your dentist. Augment your good brushing routine with regular visits to your pediatric dentist… and don’t cancel.

So, don’t think that having braces is an excuse to ignore good oral hygiene. With a little effort and a little diligence, you can keep your teeth in shape while the braces are shaping your new smile.

Drew James produces online content for Pediatric Dentistry North, in Indianapolis, Indiana. When he’s not writing or editing, you can find him running urban trails all over the city.

Crooked Teeth in Demand in Japan

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Have you spent a lot of time dwelling on the imperfect arrangement of your pearly whites? If so, you are like millions of Americans who have also considered taking measures to have teeth straightened.

Ironically, a few thousand miles away, on the opposite side of the globe, women are shelling out money for an entirely different procedure.

What is called ‘yaeba’ in Japan, would seem a very odd fashion trend in American, where perfectly straight teeth are the ‘in thing’.

However, many Japanese women are willing to pay rather substantial sums to have plastic additions affixed to their teeth to give the appearance of a crooked smile. This, admit many of their male counterparts, makes them appear more approachable and down to earth.

It may seem odd to those of us residing in the United States, but it is not so far from home. There are a few, very successful models, who have earned their spots on the runways despite large gaps between their teeth.

As a result, the trend of a center gap is making a bit of a comeback. Could it be that Americans will soon embrace their imperfections as well?

Some feel that it would be a fantastic thing to see ‘yaeba’ appreciated and accepted in this country, where girls strive so hard to meet the standard of perfection, but others argue that the Japanese culture is not accepting imperfection, but simply trying to stay on trend, willing to spend money to achieve a look as fake as the bleached teeth of Americans.

For more information on this Japanese trend, keep reading the full article.

Would You Get Teeth Whitening from a Hairstylist?

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First impressions can last a lifetime, which is why cosmetic beauty has become such a profitable business across the country and beyond.

Included on the long list of available procedures for improving a person’s appearance today is teeth whitening.

This process has been possible for quite some time and is now available for over-the-counter, at-home treatments.

However, the strength of the solution used in self-applications has always been significantly less potent than those used in dental offices.

A new trend, however, has the dental community concerned.

Several beauty salons have started offering teeth whitening services for a fraction of the price charged by the average dentist.

This has been seen in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

In June a law passed which will change this for the latter.

The State Dental Commission of Connecticut ruled that dental professionals, alone, should be allowed to oversee this procedure.

As a result, many members of the public are outraged.

Was this an act of an anticompetitive nature, as the FTC later ruled?

Or, was it done in the best interest of the public, who could be at risk of increased tooth sensitivity or lasting discoloration as a result of the bleaching agents?

The debate continues.

To read more about this topic, visit the full article.

The Value Americans Put On Having White Teeth

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The smile is an amazing thing.

It makes it possible for one person to spread joy to hundreds as the simple act tends to be contagious, even on the hardest, most stressful days.

Yet, an imperfect smile can win a person nothing but question looks, averted eyes, or unfair judgment. For that reason, many people have turned to teeth whitening in recent years. It remains the one of the most economical way to improve a person’s smile.

So, why is so much emphasis being placed on restoring the bright white of American’s smiles?

Men and women can agree on at least one thing…

ninety-nine percent of the American population agree that a smile is a very important factor in social interaction and nearly as many feel that it makes a person more attractive to the opposite sex.

Seventy-five percent agree that a bad smile can ruin the chances for professional advancement.

With business and love topping the charts of things most frequently thought about, it makes sense that people would want to have success in both. Thus, the smile and its color remain prominent concerns in this country and elsewhere.

Whitening of teeth can happen in many ways.

First there is the proactive tactic, which is taking the steps to prevent staining before it occurs. Cutting back staining foods and beverages, such as pasta sauces, tea, coffee, and soda can make a big difference in how long the natural bright white lasts.

However, when a pick-me-up is essential, a person can turn to over-the-counter, DIY products from the dentist, or in-office whitening.

For more information, keep reading the full article.