whiter teeth

It seems everyone wants whiter teeth these days.

Probably, thanks in part to the fluorescent, gleaming white teeth all the celebs have in the magazines.

From the dental standpoint, large, white, chiclet teeth are unnatural looking but who cares.
It’s the in-vogue thing right now and people are spending large amounts of money to have their teeth bleached.
There are a lot of treatment options when it comes to whitening your teeth which are mostly safe and effective. The products today bleach your teeth without harming the tooth’s enamel.
As we age, our teeth become darker in color and pick up stains from things like coffee, tea, tobacco and dark colored foods and drinks.

They also begin to wear down and can get small fracture lines that will pick up stains.

Whitening toothpastes work by being slightly more abrasive than normal toothpaste and will brush away some of these stains. Long-term use can cause some tooth abrasion so it’s best to only use them a few times a week.

One misconception people have is that they will actually whiten your teeth. They really just remove stains so your teeth will appear whiter.
At home whitening strips like Crest White Strips do work, but the concentration of bleaching product is not as strong as those you can get from the dentist. It takes longer with these and you may not get as good of results. They can also be hard to use.

I recommend drying your teeth off as best as you can before applying the strips. That helps them stick better. I’ve also been told from my Crest Representative that 85% of the carbonamide peroxide bleaching agent is absorbed within the first 10 minutes of wearing the strips. They companies suggested wear time in 30 minutes. If you absorb most of the bleach in the first 10 minutes, than don’t worry about keeping them on your teeth any longer than the 30 minutes.

By far, the best tooth whitening method is the in-office bleaching combined with trays you wear at home.


When you come into the office, impressions will be taken and molds made of your teeth.

A clear, plastic tray will be custom made of your teeth.
Then, to jump start your teeth bleaching, they will be isolated with cotton and a special material that protects your gums. Bleach is then painted on your teeth and you sit under a special light for approximately three-15 minute intervals.
That evening, you can use your home bleaching trays for about 30 minutes and your teeth should be nice, white chiclets. Every few months you can touch up your bleaching with your at-home tray.
The worst side effect of bleaching is usually tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can give you a strong flouride gel to wear in your tray that can cut down on the sensitivity.

Overall, the best teeth whitening will be from your dentist but if your short on cash you can give the strips a try. It’s not a huge price to pay for something that can take years off your looks.

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Posted in Teeth Whitening | 12 Comments