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Posts Tagged ‘teeth whitening strips’

Teeth Whitening – Is it For You

January 6th, 2010

Having a great smile tells a lot about a person. It is one thing that everyone wants, but not everybody has. It can be the one tool that can bring you closer to friends and colleagues. This is the reason that people feel insecure about showing their smiles when there is a presence of brown or yellow stains on a persons tooth. Fortunately, there is a safe way to take of this dental hygiene situation. The dental procedure of teeth whitening is the answer.

Being performed more and more in the cosmetic dentistry field; it is becoming a very popular procedure among dental patients. The reversing of the discoloration of the teeth was the initial design of the procedure. While aging is the main reason that people’s teeth become discolored, there are many other reasons that can cause a discoloration of the teeth. The regular drinking of coffee, soda, and tea as well as antibiotic use and tobacco aid in tooth discoloration. For the person that wants to obtain a teeth whitener, there are numerous options to choose from. Chemical whitening, abrasive teeth whitening , laser teeth whitening and mild acid whitening are among some of the options. You should always consult your dentist before you choose a teeth whitening technique of your own due to any draw backs that can happen from using a certain type of teeth whitening technique.

Professional Whitening

When you have your teeth whitening procedure performed by your dentists then it is referred as in office bleaching. The in office procedure performed by applying a bleaching agent to the patients teeth. The key ingredient is hydrogen peroxide that is added into the bleaching agent whitener. Using a laser or light source the hydrogen peroxide inside the bleaching agent is activated by the dentist. When this is done, the result is a breaking down of the hydrogen peroxide into a water state and a radical. While in this water state the stain molecules on the teeth become attached with the radical. When the radicals become attached to the molecules, the molecules become weak. Oxygen is now able to reach the tooth enamel and whiten the tooth.

Home Teeth Whitening Options

When you choose to use do-it-yourself teeth whitening techniques it is referred to as at-home bleaching. You can undergo this procedure by obtaining a solution with a peroxide base from your pharmacist or your dentist. The contents of this base include a mouth guard and a Carbamide Peroxide gel. The patient then adds the gel to the mouth guard and inserts into the mouth. The duration of application and frequency can vary with each different at-home bleaching product. The principle behind the at-home bleaching is similar to the in-office procedure as far as the oxidation is concerned. The two main differences are that instead of hydrogen peroxide, the Carbamide peroxide is used in the bleaching agent.

The use of whitening toothpaste is another option for teeth whitening techniques. Polishing agents are used rather than peroxides as these agents can penetrate deeper than regular toothpaste’s to polish the enamel of the tooth.

Disadvantages?

Teeth whitening aren’t for everybody. There can be a negative impact to the teeth’s aesthetic appearance if used by someone who has tooth colored fillings. Some other disadvantages of teeth whitening can be sore gums. Discontinuing your scheduled bleaching generally causes this. Also you may need to have veneers or crowns in cases where teeth discoloration is serious. When using at-home bleaching some people discovers that the mouth guard doesn’t fit the shape of their teeth. In these situations you should consult your dentist.

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Natural Teeth Whitening Baking Soda Recipe

January 5th, 2010

Everywhere you go the importance of good oral hygiene and the need for a sparkling smile is advertised. One of the first things that you notice when you meet someone new is their smile and their teeth. It seems like the only way to ensure you have a fantastic smile is to undergo an expensive bleaching procedure at your dentist’s office.

If you want to skip the expense, and the harsh chemicals, then you can make simple natural teeth whitening baking soda toothpaste at home. Brushing alone with baking soda alone can be a little unpleasant, though highly effective. Dentists often recommend it. If you would like a homemade solution that doesn’t taste unpleasant and also keeps your breath fresh then try this recipe for natural teeth whitening at home.

Mix 6 teaspoons of baking soda with four teaspoons of glycerin. Add one-third teaspoon of salt, and finally 10 drops of peppermint extract. Mix this all up thoroughly and keep in an airtight jar or container. Use this in place of your normal toothpaste and see the difference in your teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide is something regularly used with natural teeth whitening recipes. It might sound a little daunting to actually put it in your mouth but when diluted it is perfectly safe. You will only need a few drops of it with about a teaspoon or two of baking soda. Mix the two ingredients together and brush your teeth with the solution. You want a paste like consistency that you can brush your teeth with.

Another way to use baking soda and hydrogen-peroxide is to first use the recipe for baking soda toothpaste with glycerin and salt. Once you have brushed your teeth with this toothpaste you can gargle with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. You want the solution to be 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide.

The hydrogen peroxide you use should be food grade so that it is safe to use as a rinse. Remember that you should not swallow hydrogen peroxide. You should also rinse your mouth water after using the hydrogen peroxide solution. When a natural teeth whitening baking soda recipe is used with a hydrogen peroxide solution you can get very fast results. As with all of these methods please contact your dentist or physician before using them.

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Popular Teeth Whitening Options

January 4th, 2010

You’ve seen the ads. By using either strips soaked in a special solution or by brushing your teeth with a special formula, you can whiten your teeth. Many consumers are opting for these less expensive forms of teeth whitening. Others may choose to have their teeth bleached by a dentist, while still some go for a full veneer set of teeth whitening in true “extreme makeover” fashion. But how do these teeth whitening products work? And do over the counter teeth whitening products really remove more than coffee and tea stains to the enamel? This article will take a look what substances can cause discoloration of the teeth as well as the various methods used to whiten the teeth.

Discoloration of the Teeth: Causes

I’ve already mentioned some of the substances that contribute to staining or dulling of enamel, such as coffee and tea. There are more contributors to this problem. Some other factors that cause staining to the teeth include tobacco use, caffeinated sodas, injury to the tooth, discoloration related to the antibiotic Tetracycline and aging.

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes

Teeth whitening toothpastes are recommended for minimal stains such as coffee and tea. They are however very beneficial for people who have already undergone a professional teeth whitening or bleaching session and would like to keep their results. These toothpastes consist of a mixture of a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.

Teeth Whitening and Home Bleaching Kits

You can purchase home bleaching kits at any drugstore. These consist of a mouth tray and gel solution. You soak your teeth in the solution for at least 10 minutes. Though these have had successful reports, they aren’t fully recommended by the American Dental Association. If you decide to use a home bleaching kit, be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and not to use more than is recommended. Another form of these mouth tray/gel teeth whitening systems is the prescription kind. Yes, your dentist can prescribe an at home teeth whitening system. This is more advantageous than the over the counter brand, because the dentist can follow up with you and make sure that none of your previous dental work is being effected by the kit.

Teeth Whitening and Power Bleaching

The power associated with Power Bleaching refers to the level of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide is the active ingredient that causes teeth whitening systems to work. For example, an over the counter teeth whitening toothpaste contains less than one percent Hydrogen Peroxide, while a few newer products do contain up to ten percent Hydrogen Peroxide. Some of the over the counter teeth whitening kits contain between 10 and 16 percent Hydrogen Peroxide, and a Power Bleaching solution contains up to 35 percent Hydrogen Peroxide. This procedure takes place in the dentist’s office and consists of the high concentrated Peroxide solution and the use of bright lights. The results are impressive and last for a few years. If you are interested in Power Bleaching, contact your dentist for recommendations.

Veneers

Veneers are a very popular method of permanent teeth whitening. Veneers are actually made out of porcelain and are attached to the tooth. It can be an expensive process though, costing as much as $900 per tooth.

Whichever method of teeth whitening you prefer, you should always consult with your dentist before choosing any products and use all products according to their instructions.

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How to Get White Teeth Today

December 18th, 2009

White teeth are about more than vanity and how you look, it’s about a healthy smile and finding the level of self-confidence you need to be successful in the places you want in life. There are many different  teeth whitening products on the market and they should all be considered for your situation and teeth whitening needs, but for fast results in the comfort of your own home you should consider the gel based teeth whiteners. These products are designed to be safe and easy to use at home while still providing the results you are looking for.

As with all at home  teeth whitening products, gel based whiteners are made for those with mild to moderate whitening needs and otherwise healthy teeth. A gel based teeth whitener is available in a number of application methods including strips, brush on and trays. These products are all to be used in the comfort of your own home and then some of them can be worn out. Brush on is probably the easiest to apply and only requires you to brush on (with a small application brush) the gel onto your teeth. The downfall of this is a sometimes-sticky texture and the possibility of the gel coming off before it has a chance to work.

The strips are among the most popular because there is no gel to apply to the application method, as it’s already on the strip. You simply apply the strip to your teeth and depending on the product wait a set amount of time before removing or go on with your day and it will dissolve on its own. The dissolving strips are convenient, but may dissolve before the gel has a chance to work at its optimal level.

The trays are among the most effective of the gel based white teeth products, but have to be used in your home. If you make it part of your nightly routine or can wear the tray while doing the rest of your morning routine, this is the best case scenario and allows the gel to stay on the teeth for the optimal amount of time. As you can see there are many different ways to whiten teeth fast and effectively, but finding the right product for your teeth is the key to a whiter, brighter smile.

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3 Common Mistakes Made With Natural Teeth Whitening

December 16th, 2009

Natural teeth whitening methods are usually the least expensive and simplest ways of brightening your smile, but mistakes can also be made very easily. This article will discuss three of the most common mistakes and hopefully help you avoid them.

1. Using lemon or orange peels to whiten

This technique is horrible for your teeth and can cause permanent damage if there’s prolonged use. The citric acid in those fruits causes your teeth enamel to wear away. Enamel is the shiny protective coating around your teeth. Without it they are susceptible to cavities and other forms of decay.

When the stained enamel is removed, your teeth will get whiter, but the cost is not worth it. Unfortunately, this negative aspect is not widely known. Instead, people see the teeth get whiter and automatically think it works. This leads to some bad information, which in turn causes others to try this harmful technique.

2. Expecting extreme results too quickly

Natural teeth whitening are a slow process. There is no magic button or fool-proof remedy when you’re whitening naturally. Using a safe method that has been proven to work, such as brushing with peroxide, will show results over time, but expecting to get five shades whiter in two weeks is pushing it.

If you begin using natural teeth whitening techniques without expecting much, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you notice them getting brighter a few months down the road. Of course, if you use natural techniques in combination with other forms of whitening you’ll notice quicker results.

3. Thinking that whitening replaces brushing and flossing

The best way to get white teeth is to keep them clean by practicing good hygiene. It’s easy for people to think that having white teeth means they have healthy teeth but that’s not always the case. It’s important to practice good oral hygiene at all times, because not doing so is what allows staining in the first place.

In a perfect world, brushing and flossing alone would be enough to keep teeth sparkling white and no other whitening methods would be necessary. Unfortunately many factors cause staining, despite good brushing habits. Because of this whitening is sometimes necessary to put you over the edge, but keep in mind that without continuing to keep them clean afterward, the stains and discoloration will quickly return.

Summary

There are many ways to naturally whiten teeth without causing harm to them. It’s important that when you try these techniques you’re well informed because you won’t have a dentist looking on and telling you what’s working or what’s healthy. Remember, just because they’re called natural teeth whitening techniques doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good for you.

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DIY and Professional Teeth Whitening Methods

December 15th, 2009

I don’t have a clue who dreamed up teeth whitening beyond the cleaning the dentist recommends every 6 months. We don’t, so we do. Teeth whitening have become essential for many individuals due to minute food particles that seep into small cracks and fissures that develop in teeth as we age.

Tobacco, red wine, and black coffee are the worst offenders.

For many individuals, bright teeth are more important than real healthy teeth. Bright white teeth are almost a necessity for attracting a lover, nailing a job interview, or just plain looking and feeling good.

If “greed is good” was the mantra for the 80s, then “vanity is good” could become the catchphrase for the post bubble era.

The color of your teeth may cause you to appear much older than your true years. People naturally associate bright white teeth and a big smile with youth.

Maybe hatred of visiting the dentist is at the heart of the growing popularity of do it yourself teeth whitening kits.

I have known an oncologist who was a smoker, so afraid of the dentist that his patients had pretend not to notice his yellow teeth and horrible breath. He must have been a superior cancer specialist for patients to excuse his lack of dental hygiene.

Gels and pastes and pens are simple to use, work fine for most people, and are affordable. You can start by brushing with baking soda and rinsing with hydrogen peroxide to take care of the minor stains before using the whitening system.

I would try a home teeth whitening system before looking into laser or cosmetic surgery – unless the problem is severe or you have neglected your teeth for some time. A dental exam will help you determine if your teeth are healthy enough for home system or laser treatments.

Some issues with home teeth bleaching kits:

* It’s hard to know which one will work best for you

* Many of the low cost kits sold in local stores are not the best for you

* Might take from 2 weeks to several months to reach the results you want – instead of one hour in the dental clinic

* You must have discipline to follow the regimen exactly

* May not remove deep staining

Laser teeth whitening procedures are another story. This is done by a dental professional in a clinic and can whiten your teeth in as little as one hour. First, a special tooth whitening gel is utilized. Then, a special light is shined on your teeth to activate the gel and eliminate deep stains in your teeth.

Normally, this will take several applications of the gel and light over one hour, and cost hundreds of dollars. The upside is that the procedure is painless, with no drills or injections, and the cost is thousands of dollars less than cosmetic dentistry.

In office laser might be the best procedure for teeth whitening if:

* you want a bright smile now – not in 2 months

* you have an employment interview and you need to look your very best

* your teeth show stains from smoking and coffee

* you want a more youthful smile without yellow, dull teeth

* you want a fresh start after a divorce or transfer to a new city

Due to the current economy, many dentists are offering payment plans or financing.

Systematic teeth whitening procedures – whether DIY or in the dental clinic – are the way to keep a bright smile that will make you look younger and give you the confidence to face any of life’s challenges.

Unless you have an urgent need for whiter teeth, I believe taking in testing the home kits first. If the home systems do not give you the desired results, set an appointment with dentist to see what professional, clinical options will be best for you.

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Teeth Whitening – Health Benefits For Whitening the Teeth

December 10th, 2009

Sometimes for the reason of being busy everyday of our lives, we just tend to disregard our teeth. We didn’t know that these mighty white structures inside our mouth, regardless of their rigidity needed regular attention and care also. All that gets inside our intestine will virtually pass through our teeth. All kinds of food residues as well as beverage stains got stuck in our teeth over a long period of time. As all of those debris accumulates in our teeth, discoloration occurs, often characterized by yellowing of the teeth. When our teeth reached this point, all it needed is an effective teeth whitening regimen.

Healthy Teeth for Healthy Body

When the enamel on our teeth got stripped off due to some abrasives and acids from the food we eat, all we get is a very annoying sensitive tooth. Sensitive teeth make us feel awkward when we eat and prohibit us from eating some more. As a result, our body will eventually succumb to malnutrition. Healthy teeth depend on how we took care of them. All the elements our teeth had been exposed to since we had our permanent ones had an effect on them even though it is not felt and seen right away. The continuing process of wear and tear in our teeth through our everyday use of them makes them vulnerable to damages.

Many factors contribute to the demise of our teeth and when we are not vigilant enough to stop these causes from damaging our teeth, chances are, our overall health will suffer too. Everyday microscopic cracks and fissures develop within the enamel of our teeth without us knowing it. Normally our enamel is built to be virtually “impenetrable” but as these dents develop into cracks it became easily permeable to offensive dirt and stains altogether now.

In order for our body to stay healthy, we should restore our teeth first to its original shining glory. Our entire health depends greatly on foods that we take in everyday. This healthy balance in our body might be cut off if the part of our system that cuts our food to become digestible in our stomach becomes weak.

Teeth whitening are the first option if we want to stay healthy. Well, you want to know the processes in making your teeth white and healthy everyday? Here’s how:

* Regular brushing of teeth. Regular brushing means brushing of teeth at least twice daily to take away the majority of dirt and stains that had accumulated for the day.

* Flossing. Make this a habit of flossing your teeth after every brushing session. Even if brushing is impossible, at least don’t forget to floss your teeth. It will free your teeth from the dirt that gets in between teeth that brushing alone cannot get rid of.

* Avoiding of stain sources. Daily intake of beverages like tea, coffee, red wine and other sources of teeth stain can make our teeth dull and wipe away the luster out of it. If those elements cannot be totally avoided, at least take it with smallest amount possible.

Teeth whitening can give us a lot of healthy benefits. When we have white teeth we can smile as often as we want to without the feeling of being conscious with our teeth. Every time we smile many neurons in our brain can be stimulated and exercised and would eventually produce many positive and healthy effects on our body.

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Teeth Whitening Strips

November 6th, 2009

Teeth whitening strips are thin polyethylene strips that are pre-coated in a film of hydrogen peroxide which acts as the bleaching agent. The whitening kits come with two different sets of strips one designed to be used on the lower teeth and the other on the top teeth.

Teeth whitening strips are a home based method of whitening your teeth and are an alternative to tray based teeth whitening products.

Teeth whitening strips are generally intended to be worn for shorter periods than teeth whitening trays and are far less bulky so more comfortable to use.

In order to whiten your teeth you apply the bleach by pressing the teeth whitening strips firmly into place on your teeth. The teeth whitening strips should remain in place for periods of 30 minutes at twelve hour intervals over 7 – 14 days with the number of days depending on the strength of the bleaching agent used with the teeth whitening strips you decide to use (6% – 10%).

One of the downsides of teeth whitening strips is the fact that they make use of hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent. The use of hydrogen peroxide doesn’t tend to be widely supported in the dental industry as the amount of bleaching agent required to make any significant difference to the color of your teeth would not be safe to use in the home environment. Carbamide peroxide is thought to be the preferred option which is now available in tray based teeth whitening products.

A similar level of side effects is likely to be experienced with other home based teeth whitening products due to the bleaching agent and / or the trauma of the bleaching trays. Custom made trays, which are now available without going to your dentist, are designed to minimize gum irritation as a result of the whitening process.

Some level of side effects tends to be a general problem when using teeth whitening strips as a method of whitening teeth with the most common side effects being gum irritation and sensitive teeth (both problems will generally disappear over time). The likelihood of suffering from such side effects is reduced if you use teeth whitening strips with the lower concentration of bleaching agent (6%) which will deliver the same result as the higher concentration strips but it will just take longer to whiten your teeth.

Despite the wider availability of custom trays the dental industry still recommends the involvement of a cosmetic dentist if you are considering and form of teeth whitening products given the fact that there are certain situations when teeth whitening is not a viable option such as when you have dental crowns, bridges, implants or veneers, if you are pregnant or have sensitive, cracked or chipped teeth.

Teeth whitening strips are a home based method of whitening your teeth and are an alternative to tray based teeth whitening products.

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Carbamide Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel

October 29th, 2009

There are numerous chemical products out in the market whose sole purpose is the whitening of teeth. These products usually come in the form of gel or paste and even powder or liquid. Out of these many substances available, the carbamide peroxide teeth whitening gel seems to be the most effective and well preferred by a great many individuals. Compared to other gels made for the same purpose, carbamide peroxide proves to be most efficient in producing positive and outstanding results.

The chemical which make up carbamide peroxide teeth whitening gel is also known as urea peroxide which is actually an oxidizing agent. This agent consists of hydrogen peroxide joined with urea. The chemical carbamide peroxide is most often associated with dental procedures such as bleaching of teeth which oxidizes the stains and therefore makes it easy to remove or wash away.

The carbamide peroxide teeth whitening gel  also acts quickly as results could be quite noticeable even with only around five times of application. The whitening results are also almost permanent lasting for several month or even years. If the teeth are exposed to various stain causing elements such as strong liquids or smoke, stain can and will definitely get back but it only takes minimal effort to regain the white color by using this special compound. This product is also proven safe by several studies during the years even to those with very delicate teeth or gums. Although some amount of irritation may occur to those who have responsive gums, it is only temporary and quite bearable. Though this product offers a quick and easy way to whiten your teeth, nothing can beat prevention which can be done by simply cleaning your teeth as much as possible.

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Is Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Effective?

October 27th, 2009

Nowadays most of the people are trying to have their personality updated and for this the first thing that they need is a beautiful and impressive smile. This in turn is possible only when you have white teeth. Hence the huge rush for teeth whitening products and treatments, irrespective of the price or side effects. Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening are also getting quite popular these days but before drawing any conclusion it is important to know about this chemical and its effects.

Hydrogen peroxide is in fact a chemical, which is highly reactive and is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. This chemical is actually widely used as a bleaching agent in paper and textile industries. It is also used as an antiseptic in the medical field and sometimes it is used in household as a teeth whitening product. In fact the idea is that more the percentage of hydrogen peroxide, whiter is your teeth. But you must be aware of the side effects that it has on your teeth and your overall health before using it.

The main side effects of hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening process are sensitive teeth and irritation in mouth and gum, which is because of its highly reactive characteristic. This chemical works well on your teeth and helps whiten to great extent and is also considered safe by the dentists and ADA. However if you see the side effects there is not much to worry because these are temporary only. One thing that is important is that hydrogen peroxide has very short shelf life and it breaks down very quickly as soon as it comes in contact with oxygen and saliva.

There are some limitations and you must know about them so that you don’t get disappointed after using it. If you have a colored filling in your teeth or porcelain teeth, gold teeth or teeth covered with any other material, hydrogen peroxide will not be able to penetrate them and so the results will be not as wished. In fact before using any product you must go through the pros and cons of the product so that you decide on your own whether it will be useful and effective for you or not. It is also possible that cements and dental amalgams might react with this chemical and leave porous teeth that will have to be refilled.

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