Tooth Whitening

    NORTHBROOK, IL, November 26, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tooth enamel is porous and over time, teeth become stained. After years of eating pigmented foods such as blackberries or blueberries, and consuming pigmented beverages like black tea and coffee, teeth become darkened and yellowed, losing their youthful shine. This fact makes teeth whitening one of the most sought-after cosmetic dental procedures in the United States,

There are two options to whiten dull and dingy teeth: go to a cosmetic dentist for professional intervention, or use a take-home professional whitening kit.

In-Office Whitening

According the ADA, the most effective treatments for whitening teeth are performed by trained dentists using a whitening agent and special light. The active ingredient in most whitening gels is hydrogen peroxide. Your cosmetic dentist uses a stronger gel than you can buy in any store, making an in-office treatment more effective.

The in-office procedure takes a bit over an hour. The cosmetic dentist first applies protective gel to the lips and gums. Then he applies the whitening gel to all the teeth to be treated. A special light activates and speeds the whitening agent. This sequence takes about 20 minutes and is repeated twice more. To finish off, a fluoride treatment is given. A take-home follow-up kit will usually be given, so you can do touch-ups later on.

Temporary tooth sensitivity is sometimes felt with in-office whitening procedures. If that happens, your cosmetic dentist will stop treatment and apply a desensitizing agent to the teeth. Treatment can be resumed at any time. You will be astounded at the different in your smile after an in-office tooth whitening treatment.

At home whitening

There are two options for at-home whitening: using a professional-strength kit with custom-made trays, or choosing an over-the-counter whitener. If you choose a professional kit, your cosmetic dentist will have the trays made for you and explain how to use the kit.

You can wear the two trays when it's convenient for you. Some people wear them overnight. The whitening agent stops working after about 45 minutes, so you can wear them during the day for that length of time and then remove them. The kits come with a shade strip where you can mark your Before and After colors.

Store-bought whitening kits are less effective, as (a) they have one-size-fits-all trays; and (b) they have a less-than-professional strength whitening gel. Teeth get whiter only while they are in contact with the whitening agent. So an ill-fitting pair of trays will give uneven results.

Whitening toothpastes are a poor idea, as they do not contain any bleaching agent, but an abrasive ingredient. They try to scrape the stains off, but also gradually scrape off your tooth enamel as well. This will make your teeth look more yellow, because the less enamel they have, the more the yellow dentin layer will show through.

Contact Dr. David Dooley at Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation or to learn more about your tooth whitening options.

Source: Colonial Dental Group
Website: http://www.colonialdentalgroup.com

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