Teeth Whitening: Facts, Types, and Products That Work

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• Aaradhya Dental Care

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Teeth Whitening Facts, Types, and Products That
Work
So You Want Whiter Teeth?
Who doesn't love a dazzling, white smile? Tooth
whitening is one of the most requested dental
procedures done every year, with Americans
spending nearly 2 billion annually to keep their
smiles looking bright. Over time, drinking
coffee, red wine, smoking cigarettes, and simply
aging can stain our teeth, as can certain
medications such as tetracycline.
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If you're looking to spruce up your smile there
are many options available. Following are some
tips to help you choose the best tooth whitener
for you!

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How does Teeth Whitening Work?
Tooth "whitening" is defined as any process that
will make teeth appear whiter. There are two ways
this is commonly done bleaching and
non-bleaching whitening products. Often the terms
"bleaching" and "whitening" are used
interchangeably, but the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) states the term "bleaching"
can only be used when a product contains bleach.
A product is considered simply "whitening" when
it removes food or debris from the teeth without
bleach.
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Bleaching products contain peroxide (hydrogen
peroxide or carbamide peroxide) and these
products remove both surface and deep stains on
teeth and can cause teeth to become even lighter
than their natural shade.
Whats in Bleaching Products?
The active ingredient in tooth whiteners
available from dentists or drugstores is peroxide
(hydrogen or carbamide). Hydrogen peroxide is the
actual bleaching agent, while carbamide peroxide
breaks down into hydrogen peroxide.
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The bleaching products you can get from a dentist
are much stronger than those purchased
over-the-counter. Whiteners used by dentists may
have as much as 35 to 45 peroxide while the
store-bought whitening kits such as whitening
strips or trays usually have just 7 peroxide.
Other ingredients in both dentist-dispensed and
OTC whiteners include glycerin, carbopol, sodium
hydroxide, and flavorings.
Let the Dentist do the Whitening
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends
if you choose to bleach your teeth you consult a
dentist first. A dentist can come up with the
best whitening options for you and supervise a
treatment plan to avoid complications.
Professional whitening can be done in a dentist's
office in about an hour. The procedure involves
application of a tooth whitening gel containing
between 25 to 40 hydrogen peroxide, and then
aiming a special heating lamp at your teeth for
three 20-minute intervals, with reapplication of
the gel between intervals. Some dentists may also
use a laser, which is reported to accelerate or
activate the whitening process.  A protective
barrier is used during the whitening procedure to
keep your lips, gums, and tongue away from the
whitening gel so it stays in place on your teeth.
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For optimal results, the dentist will usually
give you whitening trays molded for your teeth so
you can follow-up at home with bleaching
solutions.
A tooth whitening treatment at a dentist's office
can cost about 500 for the light treatment, or
300 to 400 for the custom-made trays alone.
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Whitening At Home
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits have become
popular since they are inexpensive and easy to
use. They contain lower amounts of peroxide than
the whitening products used by dentists, but some
people can have good results though it will take
more time. OTC whitening kits and products
include whitening trays, strips, rinses, and
toothpastes. Prices range from 25 to 100.
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The American Dental Association still recommends
dentist-supervised whitening as being the safest
for your tooth enamel. The products used by
dentists are also more effective at getting rid
of deep stains. If you do choose to purchase
whitening products at the drugstore, look for the
American Dental Academy seal of approval. The ADA
seal means products are held to a higher standard
than required by law, and they have been
evaluated and are found to be safe and effective
Whitening Trays
Tooth whitening trays are one method of whitening
your teeth at home. Dentists recommend
dentist-dispensed take-home whitening kits
because they contain a higher percentage of
bleach for better results.
The dentist will take custom molds of your teeth
and create fitted application trays made of
flexible plastic. Fitted trays ensure bleach
stays in close contact with the teeth for best
results, they prevent saliva from diluting the
bleach, and they minimize the amount of bleach
that can leak out and possibly irritate the gums.
Over-the-counter trays do not fit the teeth
precisely, leading to leakage of bleach and
sensitive gums.
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Tooth bleaching products are either stored in
syringes and added to trays before use, or
pre-loaded into the trays. A dentist can also
adjust the bleach concentration and give you a
desensitizing agent to use before or after
application. Kits often provide enough gel for
one two-week treatment per year, plus enough for
a few touch-ups in between.
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Whitening Strips
One of the most popular ways to whiten teeth is
with teeth whitening strips. These are made from
a thin, flexible plastic and coated with a low
concentration of bleaching product. The strips
are pre-packaged and placed on the teeth, easily
conforming to the shape of the teeth. They can be
worn while doing other activities, and when the
application time is up (usually about 30 minutes)
they are discarded. Most are used twice daily for
two weeks.
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Strips are more effective than whitening
toothpastes, but they can cause sensitive teeth
and gum irritation. Tell your dentist if you use
whitening strips and experience these side
effects. Strips are generally less effective than
custom-fitted trays because saliva can seep under
the strips and dilute the bleach. Strips may not
be long enough for a wide smile, and they often
slip out of place. Most whitening strips are
considered safe, as the strength of the peroxide
is low. However, be careful to avoid strips that
contain chlorine dioxide, which can destroy tooth
enamel.
Whitening Rinses
One of the newest products that claims to whiten
teeth are whitening rinses. In addition to
freshening breath and reducing dental plaque and
gum disease, these products also include
bleaching agents such as peroxide that whiten
teeth. Like mouthwash, just swish them around in
your mouth twice daily before brushing, and
manufacturers claim you may have to wait 12 weeks
to see results.
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Some experts believe that the short time the
mouthwash is used is not enough to actually see
results.
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Whitening Toothpastes
Toothpastes contain mild abrasives such as
silica, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, and
baking soda, which help remove surface stains.
Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach like
professional whitening products, but they usually
contain extra polishing or chemical agents that
can help remove additional surface stains. They
do not help with removal of deep-set stains.
Whitening toothpastes may also be more abrasive
than some dentists would recommend. Most
whitening toothpastes can only get your teeth
about one shade lighter.
If you do choose whitening toothpaste, look for
the ADA Seal to make sure the product has been
tested to be safe and effective.
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Am I a Candidate for Whitening?
Tooth whitening is safe for most people and the
best candidates are those who only have mild to
moderate discoloration. But there are certain
types of discoloration that cannot be corrected
by whitening treatments, and there are certain
dental or medical conditions that may reduce the
chances tooth whitening will work for you. These
include

• Porcelain veneers, dental crowns, caps, fillings,
  or dental bonding on the front teeth. These
  synthetic materials do not respond well to
  bleaching products. You may need new crowns or
  veneers if you want these teeth to appear whiter.
• Yellow teeth usually bleach well, however brown
  teeth may not whiten as much. Teeth with gray
  tones, white spots, or discoloration from a
  "dead" tooth may not bleach at all.
• Some conditions may become worse if teeth are
  bleached. These include sensitive teeth or teeth
  with worn enamel, and patients with bruxism or
  temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD).
  In-office whitening procedures may be able to be
  performed in some cases with these conditions.
  Consult your dentist.

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• Tooth whitening is not effective if tooth
  discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth
  injury.

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Science Says The Most Effective Method
Tooth whitening performed by a dentist in-office
is the most effective way to get the best and
safest results. Stronger agents are used, but the
mouth and gums are protected, and the dentist can
customize the concentration of the bleaching
agent. Further, a dentist can manage any tooth
sensitivity or other issues that may arise from
treatment. Teeth may be whitened up to 10 shades
in just one hour.
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The second-most beneficial whitening system would
be a dentist supervised at-home bleaching
product, which uses custom-fitted tooth trays.
The bleaching agent usually contains about 10
carbamide peroxide and is used for two weeks, for
about eight hours per night.
How to Choose Wisely
With so many choices, how do you know which
whitening product is right for you? Your first
step should be to consult your dentist, whether
you are planning to get a professional whitening
treatment or want to try an over-the-counter
product. Your dentist will let you know if you
have any conditions which will not respond well
to bleaching, or which might be aggravated by
it. Determine how white you want your teeth to
be. An in-office whitening procedure can make
teeth 10 shades whiter, while whitening
toothpaste may only lighten teeth by one shade.
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Factor in your budget. In-office tooth whitening
done by a dentist will give the best results in
the shortest amount of time, but will run you
hundreds of dollars. Meanwhile, over-the-counter
products will offer a modest improvement, for
about 25 to 100.
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Consider how much time you are willing to commit
to the process. An in-office whitening treatment
takes about an hour but will cost you.
Over-the-counter methods are far cheaper but
require using them about twice daily for several
weeks. Finally, remember that no matter what
whitening treatment you choose, the results won't
last forever. Foods, drinks, smoking, and
medications can re-stain your teeth. Maintenance
is required, no matter what whitening product you
choose.
Dr. Jyoti Chipde is providing the best teeth
whitening treatment in Indore at very low cost.
If you are looking the Best dentist in Indore to
treat your teeth treatment, contact with Dr.
Jyoti Chipde. Book an appointment today call us
at 8226051989, 7389501402 and visit for more
information Online Book an appointment today -
http//www.indoredentist.com/ContactUs.htm
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7389501402Address 103, 1st Floor, Ankur
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