Safest Whitening Methods for Teeth in 2012/2013
Teeth can make or break a smile! If you don't think teeth make so much difference, then picture this: An absolutely gorgeous woman turns around and her dazzling good looks take your breath away, that's until she...
Until she gives you a huge smile only to reveal a set of teeth in various shades of orange and brown also displaying areas of obvious rot. Whoops! When did beast replace the beauty? This scenario doesn't have to happen with a little dental hygiene and a session with teeth whitening strips. So what about you, do you smile with confidence? If not, then why not? Not many people realise this, but when the inside of a mouth feels clean and the teeth look great, it can do a lot for the self-esteem.
Not everyone has nice white teeth but just about everyone wants them, although you wouldn't think so when looking at the British nashers! These days most folks, especially those over 40, find themselves looking into the various home tooth whitening kits and other methods of putting the white back into their smile.
However, there is some concern that not all enamel whitening is safe and no professional whitening treatments should be replaced by granny's home recipes that can and do, a lot more harm than good. After all, how many grandmothers dazzle you with their smile? And there's a big difference between tooth bleach and the stuff you throw down the loo, so be warned!
 One of the biggest concerns among many is that whether these bleach whitening strips, whitening trays, 60 minute laser whitening techniques (available from teeth whitening dentists), can potentially strip the enamel off the teeth plus make both them and the gums over sensitive. So is there any truth in these revelations? Well, it's like anything else in this life in that when done in moderation, be that the Britesmile tooth whitening systems, bleaching trays, or any other form of cosmetic whitening, then yes, teeth whitening is considered as safe whitening for your pearly whites.
Safe Whitening with Opalescence Tooth Whitening Gel
If you're thinking about home whitening as opposed to treatment at the dental surgery, then you will probably been looking at the various home tooth whitening kits which come with their own teeth whitening tray. One new innovation in safe whitening is called Opalescence tooth whitening gel. Opalescence tooth whitening gel is a special tooth whitening substance that is growing in popularity. Opalescence tooth whitening gel home product makes use of a syringe to dispense the 10% carbamide peroxide product onto the teeth. You can read more about How to use Opalescence Teeth Whitening here. (Please note that this is just one of many such whiteners, and we've used Opalescence as but one popular example.
It's a sad fact of life that as we get older our teeth could probably use a teeth whitener if it bothers us enough. Natural ageing effects whiteness, lustre, and consequently, the attractiveness of teeth. It's also a sad fact that a lot of elderly people look just awful when they open their mouths or smile because their teeth look absolutely disgusting, almost corpse like! But it doesn't have to be this way and a mouthful of rotting brown teeth is a choice for most in the Western world, especially with today's safe whitening techniques. In fact, enamel whitening has become almost as common as a general clean up for those who want it. The cost of dental whitening is coming down too :)
Although the dentists are always willing to pass on tips and brochures for good oral hygiene, the bottom line is that if we all had perfect nashers, then they would earn far less money. Even so, people in general do take much better care of their teeth and gums than they ever used to, but the dental practice has evolved with the times and compensate lost revenue from cavities and gum disease with dental cosmetics. These include safe whitening treatments, the sale of tooth whitening bleach kits for home treatment, and other products and services which help encourage twenty first century vanity.
Modern whitening options are not longer limited to the bleach approach. Some folks are even making their own home whitening kits using the hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening approach (talk to your dentist before trying this!). There is indeed an array of safe whitening techniques used in modern dental treatments. Which is the best choice for you will depend on a number of factors, plus whether or not you want to use home tooth whitening kits or in house technology. Sometimes, with some patients, both of the above are required. Tooth enamel whitening at home has, and still is to date, the cheapest option, but yields slower results compared to the 1 hour instant whitening that can be done at any modern dental surgery.
Looking back, you do need to be disciplined with home whitening kits and see the course through, so it might become a bit of an ordeal for some folks (like me!). My results were good, but I seemed to have some kind of sensitivity to the home tooth whitening kits. Maybe it was the tooth whitening bleach, I'm not sure, but whatever it was my teeth became extremely sensitive and so I had to use the product every other day. When you think I could have probably achieved the same results in around 45 minutes using in house Cool Light Whitening, maybe the home kits was not the best option.
If there is one thing that both men and women are not afraid to spend money on these days, it's personal grooming. Having a nice set of white teeth is perhaps the starting point of physical attraction. This is why enamel whitening to include home tooth whitening kits has become a 'normal' procedure in modern day tooth care. All the new whitening technology not only using safe whitening chemicals and equipment, but has become as sought after as the standard clean used to be.
Will Tooth Whitening Last a Lifetime?
First of all, it's important to understand the precautions to take immediately after in-house tooth whitening. There is a period of time after your whitening where you should avoid dark coloured foods and beverages. The actual procedure you've undertaken will determine the time to avoid any staining foods and beverages. If in doubt, consult your dentist. As for how long your nice new pearly whites will stay white depends on a number of factors.
For example, a heavy smoker, coffee & tea lover, who enjoys lots of curries, can expect the longevity of his treatment to be half that of someone who doesn't smoke, drinks staining drinks in moderation, and only occasionally eats those foods which are very staining to teeth. Whichever group you belong to, regular brushing and flossing will help maintain your bright smile longer than those who brush infrequently, and never floss.
Personal Experience with Modern Whitening Options
I'm in my mid forties and in the last 3 years I've had my teeth whitened twice. The first time was the 1 hr long laser treatment, and although a very uncomfortable experience, the results were instant and my teeth looked great for about 18 months before the tea and coffee staining started to kick back in, and that was despite using a purpose stain removing toothpaste regularly.
The second time I opted for the home bleaching kit which worked out at just under half the price of the in-house laser whitening. It took about 14 days before the whiteness started to show, and a full month of daily whitening to get the desired whiteness.
Unfortunately, the home bleaching lasted just 6 months compared to the 18 months with laser. It's important to note thought that different treatments will not only give different degrees of whitening to different folks, but different periods of lasting whiteness too. The above is just my personal experience – Addy H, webmaster.
Whitening Veneers – Painless, Beautiful, but Expensive :(
The cost of veneers varies greatly from country to country. Because there are no surgical complications as such with this type of cosmetic dentistry, it really is worth comparing prices with your home country and that of your next overseas holiday destination. For example, you'll most likely get whitening veneers in Thailand for around 10,000 each. That's about £200 UK, and $325 US. In the UK, you can expect to pay about £300 for a single veneer, so you can see the potential savings to be had.
A porcelain veneer fits over a tooth in pretty much the same way a false fingernail fits over a nail. Veneers make teeth look really clean, white, and healthy and most importantly, natural. There is no pain, and no downtime after fitting porcelain veneers, but they make take a few days to make which you'll need to factor in should you decide to get them done whilst on holiday
For those who can afford them, Whitening Veneers are by far the best way to give your smile a face lift.
The Conclusion on Whitening Strips
& other Whitening Options
As you will now know, there are numerous ways to whiten teeth and the method you choose will depend on such factors as the condition of your teeth, your budget, and your expectations. The wonderful thing about all of this though is that it's possible for anyone to have white beautifully teeth if they have the cash and the will to follow through. Even the worse stained or lacklustre teeth ever can be covered with veneers giving anyone that beautiful white smile they yearn for.
Keep the Cost Down with Cheaper Whitening Options
The cost of keeping ones teeth white can be too high for many. There is however a potentially cheaper way of getting hold of home whitening kits other than the high street or dental clinic. We can't vouch for these products personally, but we did find when doing some research for this page that there are a few sellers on eBay offering a variety of home whitening products at hugely discounted prices.
Don't forget to avoid those old wives teeth whitening solutions though. Although most of them are harmless and useless, some of them could be potentially damaging to the health of you, your teeth, and your gums. In other words, avoid anything that sounds a little odd like the plague!
|
