Modern dentistry has improved and changed a great amount in the
last ten to twenty years, and this has led to new treatments
being available to everyone, rather than just the few rich
people who could afford it. People are visiting dentists for
'cosmetic' dental treatment in the same way that they would
visit a cosmetic surgeon to have their body altered or enhanced.
With more and more celebrities having cosmetic dental treatments
and exhibiting perfect teeth in magazines and on television,
tooth whitening is one of the dental treatments that have soared
in popularity for people young and old. Other treatments include
implants, veneers, and alteration of the gum line. This article
looks at the different types of teeth whitening systems and will
help you assess which is best for you. There are various teeth
whitening systems available, and they range from the very
expensive to the relatively cheap and accessible. All teeth
whitening systems fall into two main categories - those that
must be carried out by a professional such as a dentist, and
those that can be done at home. Home treatments are often
cheaper, but can be less effective and can even cause lasting
damage if applied incorrectly.
The key to selecting which tooth whitening systems is
appropriate for you is to ask yourself the following questions:
Am I good at following written instructions? What is my budget
for this treatment? Am I looking for immediate results or a
course of treatment? Am I comfortable visiting a dentist? Do I
have minor or extensive tooth staining?
Home tooth whitening systems are cheaper, but they normally use
a peroxide bleach based formula and so the instructions that
come with them must be followed to the letter. Otherwise, the
results may not be what you expected, and the sensitivity of the
teeth can be increased.
However, if you are confident about applying the treatment
yourself and are prepared to finish the whole treatment without
expecting instant results, home teeth whitening systems can be a
cost effective way to achieve that celebrity look.
Salon or dentist based teeth whitening systems are more
expensive, but can have longer lasting and more immediate
effects. Dentists use similar peroxide based formulas to the
home systems, but the effect is enhanced by the use of a laser.
Laser whitening can make your teeth 5-6 shades lighter on the
first visit by activating crystals inside a gel, but if you have
extreme discoloration you may need to go back more than once.
The risks of laser teeth whitening are not great, with the most
common side effect reported being increased sensitivity to hot
and cold. Rubber dams are used to protect the gums when bleach
based formulas are being used, and this ensures the gums are
protected from the effects of the tooth whitening system.
Modern lifestyles can have a bad effect on our teeth, with
drinks like coffee, tea and red wine causing staining and
discoloration. Teeth whitening systems are a way to instantly
reverse the effects of our lifestyle, but are no substitute for
regular brushing and flossing.
Copyright Jared Winston, 2005. All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
Learn more about tooth whitening and which
teeth whitening system may best serve your
needs at Lustrous Teeth.com.
http://www.lustrousteeth.com
