Four Useful Methods to Have Whiter Teeth and a Prettier Smile

Bothered by those stained, yellowish teeth that force you to conceal your beautiful smile? Worry no more. Here are some effective tips that will help whiten your teeth and brighten your smile:

Your dentist can whiten your teeth by laser beam therapy

Professional treatment is the most reliable method of whitening your teeth. You can have your family dentist perform this service or you may also search the local directory or the web for a reliable dentist. To find a dentist near your location, type in "dentist Birmingham" if you live in Birmingham.

This is the way the process of treatment works:

The first step to this process is a thorough cleaning and polishing at your dentist.

Since the whitening solution used here is more concentrated than other methods, the dentist uses retractors and barriers to protect your gumline, tongue, lips, and cheeks.

Your teeth are then coated with the whitening solution, which is usually rich in hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as whitening agent.

Using laser to cause the peroxide to react is an excellent method.

Depending on the brand of whitening solution; it can be left on the teeth for as short a time period as thirty minutes or up to a maximum of one hour. The stubbornness of the discoloration will influence how long the whitening solution will need to be left on the teeth.

Your teeth are washed with water as soon the optimum whiteness is achieved or enough time is spent on them.

To ensure complete closure of enamel pores, don't smoke, eat or drink anything that will stain your teeth for the next full day.

Opt for over-the-counter application type, whitening agents

At home solutions can save money and might be a good idea to try first. These include whitening strips, trays, and gels, which contain hydrogen peroxide that helps whiten teeth. Although the results are not as amazing as with professional treatments, these are proven to work well on light stains.

You can make use of a whitening toothpaste

Using whitening toothpaste is yet another way you can have a cleaner, whiter smile. You can find these as easily as you can find a teeth whitening kit locally. While they may not whiten the dentin - where tooth discoloration takes place - these toothpastes utilize light abrasive materials that help to clean and polish the enamel of your teeth. Although this may not be the most effective method for whitening teeth, it certainly is a less expensive one. Make sure you do not use whitening toothpaste daily to avoid tooth abrasion.

Make your own teeth whitening mixture

You can save a significant amount of money if you make your own whitening paste yourself. The only products required are baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. To prepare a mixture for you and your family, mix two to three teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide into a bowl with two teaspoons of baking soda. Mix well until the consistency is similar to that of a toothpaste. You may also add a very small squirt of toothpaste or a few drops of mint to improve the taste of the solution. Leave the paste on for two minutes and then brush after it is done. You may have hydrogen peroxide left in your mouth so brush with regular toothpaste and then rinse well. Also,this will get rid of the nasty aftertaste that your whitening paste leaves behind.

The different whitening methods don't always work as advertised in all situations. It is important to note that teeth restorations, including white fillings, veneers, and crowns that are discolored cannot be whitened using the common whitening ingredients. They need to replaced in order to make them white and bright again.

The smart thing to do is talk to your dentist and then decide which whitener is best for you. If you have sensitive gums, it may not be advisable to use whitening solutions since these could worsen your gum condition. If you are pregnant or nursing you should not use tooth whitening as it has not been determined to be safe.


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