by Gary Foraythe
A smile lights up your face, as the old saying goes. Along with your eyes, your smile is the first thing a person notices when meeting you. So, where you hesitate to smile because of broken, discolored, or poorly spaced teeth, you may be sending an unintended negative message. People choose to improve the appearance of their teeth for a variety of reasons. Some seek to correct imperfections that have bothered them since childhood; others believe that a better appearance offers a social or professional advantage. As people keep their teeth later into life than ever before, many wish to reverse the effects of years of wear and tear. With the advent of new materials and treatments, a better smile is now within reach of a broader segment of the population. But most dental insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures unless they are performed to correct a broken tooth, so you probably will have to pay for these improvements out of pocket.
The natural light ivory color of enamel can turn to yellow, orange, brown, gray – even blue or green. Causes of discoloration include staining from coffee or tobacco, injury that damaged the pulp, ingestion of the antibiotic tetracycline or high levels of fluoride while the teeth are developing, corrosion from silver fillings, and the natural wearing away of the enamel with age. We have found that many stains can be successfully removed through swishing you mouth with Bio-Magnetic Water (Magnetic Water has NO BAD side effects) or brushing with the Bio-Magnetic Water several times a day after eating. Many people choose to remove stains with a bleaching technique. However, bleaching may be uncomfortable for people with sensitive teeth or an exposed root. Several different bleaching techniques are available.
Your dentist etches your teeth with an acid solution and then applies an oxidizing agent to the enamel. Your teeth are exposed to a bright light or a laser to hasten the lightning. It usually takes three or more sessions, each lasting about 30-60 minutes, to achieve the color you want. A newer technique, called power bleaching, uses a highly concentrate form of hydrogen peroxide as the lightning agent. It can deliver results in just one session. Bleaching is temporary, however. Your teeth will darken again within one to three years, and you may need to repeat the procedure. Cost vary, with some dentists charging a fee of between $75 to $225 a session and others charge a single fee of $300 or more.
These kits operate on the same principles as the professional products. You start with an acid rinse then apply a hydrogen peroxide gel, and finally coat the teeth with a whitening pigment. Many over the counter tooth whitening strips or kits cost as little as $15 to $40. Although many consumers opt for the bleaching method because it is less expensive than other techniques, the Food and Drug Administration raises several concerns about the use of these kits.
Whitening toothpastes usually contain no bleach, but instead use gentle chemical or polishing agents to enhance the surface stain removal that occurs with the mild abrasives found in ordinary toothpaste. Peroxide-based whiteners--- bleaching agents--- help remove surface and deep stains. They often use a lower strength bleaching agent than is used in a dentist’s office.
When used as directed on healthy teeth, teeth whitening products are generally safe and effective. But because teeth whitening is strictly cosmetic, you should keep a few important points in mind as you consider whether to try it.Whiteners may not compensate for some types of discoloration. For instance, teeth with a yellow hue will probably respond well to whitening. Results for brownish-colored teeth are less apparent, and grayish-hued teeth generally don’t bleach well. Teeth whitener side effects -- -which are usually, although not always, temporary---may include sensitive teeth and gum irritation. As such, teeth whitening products aren’t recommended if you have gum disease, worn tooth enamel, exposed roots, a peroxide allergy, or if you already have sensitive teeth.