Teeth Whitening Guide

Teeth whitening term refers to a cosmetic dental procedure performed to whiten teeth. This in fact, is the most frequently applied dental procedure. The teeth whitening process usually involves bleaching of teeth in order to remove stains and brighten the patient's smile.

Teeth Discoloration Causes

Many different factors contribute to teeth discoloration, but one of the most common causes is the food and beverages you consume. Certain foods and drinks like berries, red wine, coffee, tea, and soda will discolor your teeth if frequently consumed over a long period of time. Some antibiotics, most notably tetracycline can stain your teeth as well. Another reason for tooth discoloration is smoking. Keep in mind that some people have naturally yellowish teeth, and in this case the color of their smile is determined by their genetics.

Teeth Whitening Options

There are many different teeth whitening options available on the market, due to the popularity of tooth whitening. The whitening procedure can be performed in a dental office or in the comfort of your own home. The in-office teeth whitening usually yields better and quicker results compared to the at-home whitening. If you whiten your teeth in a dental office, it is very likely to see results right after the procedure has been completed. Many people do not feel comfortable in a dental office and if that's the case the at-home teeth whitening can be a better choice. You can whiten your teeth with over the counter products like whitening strips or trays with whitening gel. You can also use a whitening product prescribed by your dentist, which is usually a mouth tray with strong bleaching gel. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, make sure that you follow the application instructions your dentist provided or the instructions that come with the over the counter whitening product.

Teeth Whitening Costs

Teeth whitening cost vary greatly depending on the method of whitening you choose. Obviously in-office teeth whitening performed by dentist will be the most expensive option and it may from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Over the counter products are cheaper teeth whitening alternative with a price tag starting at $30.

After a Teeth Whitening Procedure

Teeth whitening results do not last forever - on average you can expect between several months and a year. However the good news is that you can prolong the effects of teeth whitening by simply avoiding foods and beverages that stain teeth and smoking. Such foods and drinks include but are not limited to coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. If you decide to consume these foods then brush your teeth immediately after.

Teeth Whitening Results

If the same teeth whitening procedure is applied to two different persons, most likely the results will be different. Not all teeth respond to whitening equally well. For example if teeth have yellow shade, chances are that they can be whitened fairly easily. If the teeth are gray in color, then whitening might be much harder, if not impossible. If you are thinking about teeth whitening, then is advisable to consult your dentist first, as they can recommend the best teeth whitening treatment for you.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional and/or medical advice. The information found in this article is provided "AS IS", and all warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed by the author.

Author: Peter Todorov