Teeth whitening is a multi-billion dollar industry in the world today.
Very white teeth contribute to self-confidence and are part of what represents beauty in the 21st century.
Teeth whitening is essentially a cosmetic dental procedure whether it is done at home or in the office.
It will lighten discoloration resulting from smoking, tea, coffee, or the use of some antibiotics.
Teeth whitening can be achieved using a variety of techniques.
The American Dental Association recommends that all teeth whitening techniques be used under the supervision of a dentist.
That said, this is how it is done.
Laser In-office Teeth Whitening This procedure is done in the dentist's office using bleaching chemicals and laser lights.
The dentist isolates the teeth from the lips and gums before applying the bleaching gel.
For this reason and because the cosmetic dentist carefully monitors the process, it is highly recommended for patients with extremely sensitive teeth.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening.
A wide-variety of teeth whitening products are available over-the-counter.
One popular variety comes with pre-whitening toothpaste, whitening gel and plastic dental trays, and after-whitening neutralizer.
First use the pre-whitening toothpaste, and then follow the instructions to mold the plastic dental trays to form around the teeth.
Fill the trays with gel and apply to the teeth for 10 to 20 minutes.
Remove the trays and rinse teeth off with the after-whitening neutralizer.
Another popular an easy to use teeth whitener is the whitener strips which are thin strips of peroxide gel that are applied directly to teeth, left on for 10 to 20 minutes, and then removed and discarded.
The advantage of this method is the ease of application; the disadvantage is that it is difficult to cover the entire tooth with a whitening strip.
Teeth-whitening either in the dental office or at home is a simple, cost-effective way to brighten your smile.
How it is accomplished is a matter of preference.