Teeth Whitening Tips Offered By Rockville MD Family Cosmetic Dentist

By Alicia Murphy


There are many teeth whitening solutions that are available to help get your teeth back to their original white color. As we age our teeth tend to yellow. If you smoke or drink lots of dark colored drinks this can add to that yellowing process. Gain your confidence and self esteem back with whiter teeth.

There are a lot of over the counter whitening products, each with their own issues. For instance, it's almost impossible to find toothpaste without "whitening" ingredients, but these toothpastes are only able to remove light surface stains. They are effective in helping slow down the yellowing, but are only good for lightening your teeth by one shade or so.

A less effective option is whitening mouthwashes. They are in contact with the teeth for such a limited amount of time that expects do not think they are very effective.

Some additional over the counter whitening options include strips and gels. These usually contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Strips are applied directly to the teeth while gels are applied using a small brush. There are also tray-based whitening systems that can be purchased over the counter or even from your local dentist.

Over the counter systems also have downsides such as the one size fits all approach and the heavy reliance on the person correctly using them, which can cause them to be less effective if they are not. Some permanent damage and irritation can also occur. Which can end up costing far more than the savings of using an over the counter whitening system.

Uneven whitening can happen if you have crowns or fillings making your teeth look worse instead of better. Also, if you are pregnant or lactating, waiting until after the baby is weaned is important. Children under 16 should not use whitening products. If you have sensitive teeth, speak with your dentist first. Cavities and gum problems should be addressed prior to whitening as additional damage can occur.

Over the counter whitening solutions can be intimidating and talking to your dentist can help. While in-office solutions may cost more, you are less likely to encounter issues since they are properly supervised.

Some dentists offer whitening trays that can be purchased for slightly less. These professional trays are made from your teeth impressions and can help reduce the risk of tooth damage and gum damage. These are worn for a few hours a day for a week or so. Some dentists may recommend crowns or porcelain veneers if your stains are severe.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment