TEETH WHITENING

                                                                                TEETH WHITENING Everybody loves a bright white smile and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours. Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with fluoride- containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day and the regular cleanings at your dentist’s office. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter , you should investigate all of your options. You can take several approaches to whiten your smile:

• In-office bleaching
• At-home bleaching
• Whitening toothpaste

 SOMETHINGS TO ASK BEFORE GOING FOR A TEETH WHITENINGSeeing everyone on television and in the movies with those mouths full of pearly whites can leave some people feeling self-conscious about not having the brightest smile. This is unfortunate because that lack of a bright, white smile can lead people to have lower self-esteem, directly affecting their quality of life.Thankfully, teeth whitening is an option. But there are so many products out on the market; how do you know which one to use? Which one will be the most effective? The safest? There are a few questions to consider before whitening your teeth. Talk to Your Dentist FirstIf you are considering whitening your teeth, especially if you are considering doing so with an at-home whitening kit, schedule an appointment and talk to your dentist first. There are some inherent risks you should know about that she will be able to discuss with you. First, she’s going to point out that you might not need a whitening procedure.Your dentist might be able to whiten your smile to that beautiful blinding white with a simple tooth cleaning. This should always be your first choice; it’s safer being done by a professional, promotes quality oral health, and will allow your dentist to examine your mouth to make sure that you don’t have any other issues that need addressed. So Should I Bleach? Most over-the-counter products are actually effective teeth whiteners. They should have a solution of 10% peroxide. There are some things to consider before using something as harsh and caustic on your teeth as peroxide though. Are your teeth sensitive? If so, peroxide likely isn’t the best option for you.Peroxide works by removing some of the outer layer of tooth enamel with the stains that are covering the tooth. Enamel is what protects your teeth. If they’re already sensitive, whitening is only going to make them more so.Another question to consider is where did your stains come from? Peroxide is not effective for removing all stains. It is generally most effective with yellow-tinted stains. Brown and gray stains, such as one might develop from smoking, are generally not removed as easily by peroxide.Whitening might not enhance the color of your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your teeth. Peroxide is not effective on these materials. So while it might whiten the real teeth that you have in your mouth, it will leave your smile discolored, patchy, and uneven. In these situations, one could consider another option, such as porcelain veneers.Other Situations to Consider

• Have you talked to your dentist? What does he or she advise? Not all stains are removable with an over the counter whitening procedure. Your dentist will be able to point you in the right direction over this.
• If you are suffering from gum disease, sensitive teeth, or thinning enamel, your dentist should discourage you from whitening.
• Should you consider having the procedure done professionally? Dental supervision is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry, even for at-home whitening procedures. Your dentist can perform a bleaching procedure in the office or at home.
• Although over-the-counter treatments are generally a bit cheaper than having the work done professionally, they take longer, aren’t as effective, and have a greater chance of damaging the teeth and gums. This can lead to a much more serious need for a dentist quickly.
• In-office whitening procedures done professionally can last up to five years, depending on your eating, drinking, smoking, and oral hygiene habits.

   The Two Types of Teeth WhiteningThere are two ways you can go about whitening your teeth with the help of your dentist, often combined for the best possible effects. The first is a super-charged visit to your cosmetic dentistry office where you will spend about an hour in the chair and can significantly whiten your teeth without weeks of commitment.The second method, usually paired with the first, is at-home treatments with custom dental trays. These should be used a few hours a day or while you sleep for best results.Zoom! In-Office WhiteningThe Zoom! In-office method for whitening teeth is very popular and can be done alone or along with nightly treatments at home. When you come in for Zoom teeth whitening your appointment will likely start with a normal teeth cleaning to make sure you and your dentist are working with just the teeth, not what you ate for breakfast.After your cleaning, the dentist will treat your teeth with a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and then applies a bright UV light. The bleaching gel reacts to the UV light, intensifying the whitening effect which is why the in-office procedure is so effective as a one-time treatment or to kick-start your home whitening.After 15 minutes, your dentist will re-apply the gel, and again after another 15 minutes creating a total of 45 minutes of whitening treatment.You will need to hold the light device between your teeth during this time. Immediately after your treatment, your teeth will be treated with a sensitivity-reducing fluoride past-gel to manage the tooth sensitivity that is a common response to whitening. At-Home Whitening with Custom TraysMany people who care about whitening their teeth are familiar with the idea of whitening gel in tooth trays, but over-the-counter treatments are significantly different from what your cosmetic dentist can provide.Your dentist will take a custom mold of your teeth and provide trays that fit your teeth perfectly along with medical-strength whitening gel that is more powerful than the packaged alternatives. This makes it easier, more comfortable, and more efficient to whiten for a few hours at home while watching television, doing chores, or sleeping.At-home whitening usually takes no more than two weeks to see the results you’re looking for. Results may be even faster if you choose to combine an in-office session with at-home treatments.After two weeks of home whitening, you can check back in with your dentist for further advice or skip the follow-up if you are fully satisfied and not experiencing any additional sensitivity.Choosing the right cosmetic dentistry solutions for you is an important first step to reinventing your smile. Whether you’re whitening for an event, in preparation for further dental work, or just to look your best, we’re here to help with all your teeth whitening needs. 5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR TEETH WHITE AFTER COSMETIC TEETH WHITENING.It is a simple fact of nature that most teeth do not stay white. Over time, enamel ages, we eat things that have a strong natural color to them, and our teeth lose their pearly whiteness.This is only, of course, highlighted by the fact that some people seem to have preternaturally white teeth but for most of us, white is not actually a natural state. But that doesn’t stop it from being necessary for work, romance, special events, and photo shoots. Whether you’re trying to get a promotion, your cousin is getting married, or you simply need to look good on camera for a few moments, white teeth are not optional.The real question, once you’ve resolved to get a professional whitening treatment is how to make the most of it and keep your teeth as white as possible afterward.1) Drink Water and Rinse OftenThe first tip we have for you is to rinse your teeth often. Food particles sit on your teeth after you eat or drink and can start discoloration with surprising quickness.However, you can decrease the impact of what you consume, thus making it possible to still enjoy the good things in life like coffee and cola, by rinsing your mouth frequently.Drinking a glass of water is just as effective as rising in the traditional fashion, as long as water flows over your teeth to wash away the remaining food particles.2) Watch Out for Staining FoodsThat said, you should still be careful about tooth-staining foods like coffee, cranberries, cola, and wine. Even with rinsing, the more you expose your teeth to these substances, the more likely they are to become discolored.If you want to maintain white teeth after a cosmetic whitening, limit your consumption of anything on the tooth staining list.3) Maintain Your Oral Hygiene RoutineNothing is more important to long-term tooth health and appearance than the daily routine. Ideally, you should be brushing at least twice a day and one of those times should be right before you go to bed.This ensures that there are no remaining food particles on your teeth to turn into plaque as you sleep. For whitening purposes, use a strong whitening toothpaste and consider brushing after every time you eat rather than simply in the morning and at night.4) Keep a Few Straws AroundStill want to drink brown cola and chocolate milk even though you care about your teeth? Fortunately, dental enthusiasts have come up with a fantastically clever and simple workaround. The straw.That’s right, all the joy of your favorite staining drinks (and soups?) by simply bypassing the teeth entirely. You can keep a pack of disposable straws handy or carry your own colorful crazy straw if you need to make someone laugh and maintain your tooth enamel at the same time.5) Get Regular Whitening TreatmentsFinally, let’s return back to the original point. Most teeth don’t stay white. No matter how well you take care of them, the vast majority of people will see yellowing teeth in a few months to a few years after their last whitening treatment.This is nothing to worry about and is perfectly natural. However, if you want to keep your teeth sparkling white, you may want to schedule regular whitening sessions.Getting your teeth whitened is almost always a strategic decision. It can make you seem healthier, younger, and more aggressive both at work and in your personal life. In order to make the most of any teeth whitening treatments you do get, be sure to take excellent care of your teeth to reduce the amount of staining that occurs over time. 6 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR TEETH WHITER FOR LONGER However, a couple of questions that many people have is how can they keep their teeth white long after they get them professionally whitened? Also can I whiten my teeth with any safe teeth whitening products?Thankfully, there are certain things that you can do to keep your teeth looking white and bright for as long as possible.Avoid Foods And Drinks That Stain Your Teeth One of the best ways to keep your teeth white is to avoid eating and drinking things that stain your teeth. In terms of foods, you want to avoid foods that have dyes in them, such as jello. You also may want to avoid some fruits that have a strong color, such as blackberries and blueberries.Drinks like coffee, dark-colored soda, and other colored beverages should also be avoided as they can easily stain your teeth. In addition to food and drink, you may want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco, if this is a current habit of yours. These two things not only stain your teeth, but also deteriorate them.Drink Through A Straw If you just can’t give up some of your favorite teeth-staining drinks, then you should consider drinking them through a straw. This helps the drink to bypass your front teeth and instead go directly to the back teeth and down your throat.To ensure that you always have a straw on hand when you need it, you can carry them around in your bag with you.Find A Good Whitening ToothpasteThe best over the counter teeth whitening products and a simple way to keep your teeth looking white is to purchase a good whitening toothpaste. When it comes to finding a good quality whitening toothpaste, you want to look for one that whitens your teeth, while also helping to protect them and strengthen your enamel.Since thinning out your enamel can lead to both stained teeth and increased teeth sensitivity, it is very important that your enamel is strengthened and otherwise taken care of.If you have any questions about what kind of whitening toothpaste is best for you, you should ask your dentist.Use Mouthwash Regularly

• You also can’t go wrong with a good mouthwash. This helps to remove any particles and/or bacteria from your mouth after brushing and flossing.
• Residue left on your teeth can cause them to stain, especially when left on them for long periods of time.
• Using a mouthwash before bed each day can be very effective. Also, for additional whitening benefits, choose a mouthwash that has teeth whitening ingredients.

Have Your Teeth Cleaned By The Dentist Another great way to keep your teeth both white and healthy is to go in for your regular dental check-ups.  At these checkups your teeth are thoroughly cleaned us and protected with a fluoride treatment.This helps to protect your teeth from future stains and/or damage and restores some of that whiteness and shine. This significantly helps keep your teeth whiter.Get Whitening Touch-Ups No matter how well you take care of your teeth, they are likely going to lose some of their luster and their whiteness overtime. Thankfully, you have the option to go in for whitening touch-ups at your cosmetic dentist.This type of treatment is more of a spot treatment than a full whitening, and it generally doesn’t take as long or cost as much as a regular whitening treatment.