The popularity of teeth whitening has skyrocketed in recent years. Thanks to advances in dentistry, the process is affordable, non-invasive, relatively simple, and non-surgical. There are a multitude of reasons why our teeth discolor over time: they (and we) are getting older, poor oral hygiene, and stains and discoloration caused by coffee drinking or tobacco smoking, to name just a few.

Just as there are many causes for tooth discoloration, there are lots of reasons why it’s a good idea: a bride wants a dazzling smile in her wedding pictures; a coffee-drinking teacher is embarrassed to speak in front of her class; a TV anchorperson needs to look good for every broadcast; a person simply wants to feel more confident at work, at play, and with friends and family.

Fortunately, dental patients can take years off their appearance with the new whitening techniques that have been developed. But there are a few facts about the procedure that people should be aware of:

– Teeth whitening is not covered by the majority of insurance plans. Costs vary from state to state and from dentist to dentist, but patients need to be aware that they are most likely going to pay for it out of pocket.

– Some tooth discolorations bleach more successfully than others. Yellow teeth are much more easily whitened than those with a more brownish tinge. There will be improvement, but it will not be as dramatic for those with non-yellow discoloration.

– The best way to properly whiten teeth is to go to a dentist. So-called “whitening toothpastes” are misleading in a way. They don’t contain any actual bleach, but they simply produce an appearance of lightening due to simple stain removal.

– There are teeth whitening kits available at supermarkets and grocery stores that work just fine, but those available from a dentist do the job faster because they contain a stronger bleaching agent.

– Temporary tooth and gum sensitivity is a very common side effect of the whitening procedure. Patients should be aware that there may a little discomfort involved.

– Whitening is not permanent. Teeth will continue to age and discolor over time and will continue to be affected by smoking or coffee drinking. People who want to maintain the brilliant whiteness should expect to have to bleach again from time to time.

– It’s wisest to have any dental work that needs to be done performed prior to whitening. Getting a good teeth cleaning will remove plaque and simple stains, providing a nice clear surface for the procedure to work optimally. Fillings will not change color after bleaching.

Whether you choose to use over the counter products or visit the dentist, teeth whitening is one great way to feel more confident every day.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 3:27 pm and is filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.