Professional against DIY tooth whitening systems

Teeth whitening is now something that many people are having done and is also very popular with celebs who want to look their best. It won't improve your health; it's simply a cosmetic job which lightens the stains on your teeth. So why have your teeth gone stained and yellow? It's most likely to be due to smoking, drinking coffee, tea and cola. Your teeth have pores on the enamel which hold onto these stains and normal every-day brushing isn't enough to remove them.

Discoloration can also occur with age. Stains can appear over time from the inside because of excess fluoride and possibly medication. Tooth whitening will deal with the stains which lie on the outside of your teeth and it needs to be done on a regular basis.

You can whiten your teeth either at home or at a dentist. Home kits can be bought from your local chemist, alternatively you can have trays custom made by your dentist. Whichever method you choose the you will need a series of whitening procedures of varied lengths. It's always a good idea to check with your dentist to find out the pros and cons of each method.

Before going ahead with having your teeth whitened, they need to be cleaned by a dentist and cavities should be filled. If you have receding gums you should have this looked at as the roots may be exposed. The roots of your teeth have no enamel so whitening won't be effective. It also won't work if you have crowns or veneers.

How The Teeth Whitening Process Works

A solution made with hydrogen peroxide is put into trays which are similar to mouth or night guards. The trays are placed over your teeth and are left to do their job for one or two hours. If you are doing this yourself then you would leave it in overnight.

If you go to your dentist for the teeth whitening process, each session will take less time but you will need several more visits. The dentist is also there to keep a check on the progress of the whitening. With the DIY method on the other hand, you'll need to be very careful about using and wearing the mouth guards as there is the risk of any leaked solution irritating the gums.

The idea is that the longer the solution is in contact with your teeth, the whiter they become. Unfortunately, not all stains and discoloration can be removed. Some whitening products will only work if they come into contact with either heat or light. These are best to be used by professionals.

Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, it will only last one to 6 months. However the more you do to prevent staining the longer lasting the results. You may experience gum sensitivity although this should just be temporary. Ultimately the process is very safe although pregnant ladies shouldn't have it done. This is only because There were no studies to determine the chemical bleaching effect on the fetus.