admin 22 December 2009 Uncategorized 163 Comments

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Undoubtedly, many of us want to have the best teeth we can have.  After all, possessing shiny whites is an asset unto itself that can pay off in many ways from attracting new friends to getting new jobs.

Unfortunately, not all of us have teeth as white as pearls due to many reasons.  Well, don’t despair as you can always take the choice of going the route of better dental care and of teeth whitening systems.  Of course, the latter option is the fastest and easiest route to whiter teeth.

Home Treatments or Dentist Administered

Whitening your teeth can be performed either in the comfort of your home or in the safety of the dental chair.  Basically, your choice will boil down to issues of budget, convenience and safety. It must be emphasized that home treatments and dentist-administered tooth whitening systems deliver virtually similar results, with the assumption that package instructions and recommendations are followed to the letter.

Just to differentiate between both types of teeth whitening administration, over-the-counter products contain lower concentrations of the bleaching agents compared to the in-office products, often at half the percentage amount.  Also, additional protective measures are available for in-office applications such as custom-made mouthpiece trays, rubber shields and dental check-ups.

However, do keep in mind that over-the-counter, at-home, self-administered products are very affordable compared to in-office treatments.  Besides, you can always ask your dentist for product recommendations and regular dental check-ups while you are doing the process.

Toothpaste, Strips, Gels, Rinses or Tray

Let’s just assume you chose to go the route of the self-administered whitening products.  Yu have many choices in this regard, which can often cause confusion considering that the main result promised is the same - teeth whitening. Well, that’s consumerist society in search of the best teeth for you.

• Toothpastes contain mild abrasives as well as polishing ingredients that chip away at the yellow components of teeth. These are only effective in lightening your teeth color by one shade at most but are gentle to use everyday.

• Gels and strips are directly applied to your teeth, either through a brush or through nearly-invisible strips.  Results are visible for approximately 4 months, provided that stain-causing foods and habits are avoided.  Of course, this advice applies to the other whitening systems.

• Rinses serve other purposes aside from pearly whites.  It also helps freshen breath and lessen dental diseases.  Manufacturers claim a 12-week window for results to be seen.

• Tray-based systems involve wearing a mouth guard-like tray filled with a gel solution.  It can be inconvenient but oftentimes more effective than the other self-administered teeth whitening solutions.

Should You or Shouldn’t You

Before you go hightailing it to the nearest drugstore and supermarket to purchase tooth whitening products, you must ask yourself or ask your dentist if you can truly benefit from the procedures.  More importantly, ask if it is even safe for you.

Thus, if you are less than 16 years old, pregnant or lactating, with sensitive teeth and mouth allergies and diseases, with fillings, crowns and other teeth restorations done, and with darkly stained teeth, you can consider yourself out of the running for the procedure.

However, if you are qualified for teeth whitening procedures, then go ahead and grab the opportunity to have the best teeth you will ever have - as white as snow, so to speak.