Teeth Whitening: An Introduction

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Teeth Whitening: An Introduction

Everyone wants pearly white and glossy, shiny teeth, the kind of smile you see on the movie stars and TV actors. But all teeth naturally yellow or color with age, diet, smoking or illness. Teeth can turn yellow, grey, or brown. Some people naturally start out with more grayish teeth than others. Most whitening methods work well on teeth which have yellowed, and some whitening can be done if teeth are brownish or greyish. There are a variety of methods you can try to whiten your teeth, including home remedies such as rubbing teeth with strawberries before brushing, special whitening kits you can buy at the drug or grocery store, and treatments at your dentist’s office.

Your first steps in whitening your teeth should be a visit to your dentist. Besides regular teeth cleaning, which keeps your teeth clean and healthy, your dentist can offer products and suggestions as to methods you can use. You should also be brushing regularly with a soft bristle toothbrush, as well as flossing daily. It is best to brush after every meal, drink, or snack.

You can learn about: in-office bleaching by your dentist, laser treatments, tray-based home bleaching, strips which bleach your teeth, gels which bleach your teeth, abrasives which remove stains, or other stain removal methods such as whitening toothpaste. Some of these methods only remove the surface stains which may have built up as a layer over top of your teeth, while other methods change the actual color of your teeth by over 3 shades. Either will improve the color of your natural teeth. If you have had dental work done, such as fillings, caps, and crowns, you may want to discuss with your dentist a porcelain veneer or other method of changing the color of your filling, as your filling was made to match the color of your teeth when it was put in.

Whatever method(s) you choose to try to whiten your teeth, you always want to be careful of your teeth – a perfect smile doesn’t always make up for damaged teeth and gums, does it? Carefully research each tooth whitening method to make sure it is safe for your teeth. While treatments from the dentist (except for some laser whitening) are usually approved by the dental association, they can be much more expensive than over the counter treatments. Dental treatments can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, whereas over the counter treatments generally stay under $100.

Another comparison to make between dental treatments and over the counter treatments is time. No one method will cause your teeth to become whiter and stay whiter forever, but the effects from dental treatments do last longer. They also take less time to see results, for those who need quicker results.

The method you choose should be based on tooth safety, as well as on what caused the discoloration of your teeth.