As kids our teeth are completely & uniformly covered with an outer layer of enamel – a strong porcelain like material which serves the purpose of a protecting the layers below. As we grow older, the enamel begins to break down.  As a result, the teeth become more translucent and the yellow dentin, the colored layer beneath the enamel starts to show through. Chewing also causes the development of thousands of micro-cracks on the body of the teeth where food particles accumulate and with time form stains. Certain foods liked red wine, coffee, tea and are more prone to causing stained teeth.

Practicing good  dental hygiene can do a lot to prevent your teeth from staining. Brushing your teeth with a quality whitening toothpaste like Dr Collins will not only help prevent stained teeth but is an excellent teeth whitening product for teeth that are already stained. Dr Collins not only helps keeps you obtain whiter teeth but also prevents cavities from forming.

If your teeth are already significantly stained Zoom whitening can whiten your teeth by up to 6 shades in only 3 days by using the Zoom whitening weekender kit. Unlike other gel treatments which can take weeks of repetitive use you simply apply the zoom whitening gel to the teeth mould and wear it for a minimum of 4 hours for 3 consecutive days.  Best of all Zoom whitening is completely safe to use from the convenience of your home and is extremely cost effective when compared to dentist chair whitening treatments.

Once you’ve  completed the tooth whitening process it’s now important to maintain that, which is why utilising a quality tooth paste like Dr Collins will assist with maintaining your new dazzling smile. Ensure you brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day and consider some lifestyle  changes which may have been the cause of your stained teeth. The effort will be worth your while remember there is nothing more appealing than a sparkling smile!

How It Is Done

The target of whitening solutions and techniques is the dentin, which is the layer underneath the enamel of the tooth. Whitening solutions seep through the pores of the enamel to whiten the dentin. The solution used in teeth whitening systems are usually made of either bleach or a peroxide solution, and come in different strengths depending on how much you want to pay or where you get it done (home or at the dentist’s office). The solution is usually placed in mouth trays that form to the person’s teeth and are left on for a period of time.

The Risks

Risks of tooth whitening include sensitivity, gum irritation, and uneven-colored teeth. Sensitivity to temperature, pressure or touch is usually due to the opening of enamel pores during whitening, allowing substances to get to the dentin and hurting the teeth more than before the whitening. Gum irritation is due to the harsh chemicals found in teeth whitening solutions and sometimes the trays themselves. Uneven-colored teeth occurs when a person has restorative dental work such as porcelain veneers or caps and the natural teeth whiten but the restorative treatments do not.

Who Shouldn’t Whiten?

Unless you have several hundred dollars to replace your current restorative dental work with whiter work that matches your newly whitened teeth, it is suggested that those with things like bondings, porcelain veneer, and caps do not use whitening products because it will make restorative treatment stand out in a way that may be unpleasing to the eye. If your teeth are stained a brown or gray color, the chances of your whitening procedure working are much lower than if your teeth are simply yellow. If you are pregnant or nursing, you are not recommended to use whitening trays or techniques due to safety reasons, and if your teeth are extremely sensitive you may want to avoid whitening as well. There are however, products available to help deal with the sensitivity issues including desensitisers and reminerlisation products.

Your Options

There are several different options for teeth whitening systems that are available on the market aside from going to your dentist. These at-home treatments are much less expensive than going to the dentist, making them very popular. There are pre-filled mouth trays that are not molded to your tooth shape, “boil and bite” mouth trays that are reused and formed to your mouth after boiling them to make sure they are soft. Full tray systems, brush on gels, and whitening strips are also available that do not require mouth trays.

One of the best ways to maintain your white teeth is to brush your teeth with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. You literally make a thin paste of these and brush your teeth with it. This is a non-abrasive cleanser and the peroxide activates the whiteners in the baking soda to keep your teeth their whitest. You can do this two or three times a week to help remove any light staining that may have occurred from non-whitening toothpastes. Whitening toothpastes can be used by these can remove the protective enamel that your teeth have making them sensitive.

If using a mouth rinse, you should not use ones with coloring in them. Although they are not supposed to stain, any type of coloring can stain your teeth. It can become trapped in the microscopic defects that comes with age and leave them stained after only a short time. An antiseptic mouth rinse is the best rinse to use betweens whitenings. Whenever possible you should floss after every meal and rinse your mouth. Many of the foods we eat can become trapped between teeth which can stain our teeth and cause decay. By removing these trapped particles, you are preventing them from damaging your teeth, thereby preventing darkening of your teeth.

Try to refrain from drinking dark liquids. Many liquids such as colas, caffeinated drinks and juices contain acids that can eat the enamel off of your teeth. Once the enamel is gone, it is easier for your teeth to become stained. Most of these also contain food colorings that are not natural which further promotes staining. Drinking water is the best liquids to consume. Green tea has a lot of antioxidants in it and is good for not only your teeth but your complexion as well. It is virtually non-staining due to its light, natural color so there is not worry about staining teeth.

Because we take pride in our appearance, many of us will pay to have our teeth whitened. Between whitenings we must prevent any staining from occurring which means watching what we eat, drink and how we care for our teeth. If you can minimize the staining that occurs on your teeth, you won’t have to have them whitened as often and your pocket will be much happier. There are many ways to prevent the darkening of your teeth and it is up to you to find the best method for your needs. Some habits may need to be adjusted as well as some others started but in general, your teeth will be with you a lifetime, you should learn to take care of them early.

Some of the whitening products that are available for home use are:

• Boil and bite trays
• Whitening strips
• Pre-filled trays
• Tray systems
• Whitening pens
• Ionic light systems
• Toothpastes
• Mouth rinses

From all of these choices the most popular products are whitening strips, pre-filled trays, toothpastes and mouth rinses.

Although each of these methods provide basically the same results although some are actually better than others. No two people’s results will be the same and most neglect to consider this fact. These methods are designed to whiten your teeth gradually which means it may be a week or longer before you notice the effects and some will see results sooner. This is due to the difference in each person’s genetics. Some people simply have less white teeth than others meaning they naturally have a darker color to their teeth. For these people these types of whiteners do not offer the same results as they do for those who have naturally whiter teeth.

Many of the tray systems such as the boil and bite trays, pre-filled trays and tray systems offer some hope for those who have naturally darker teeth. Some of the tray systems also provide a remineralization for the teeth that helps fill in microscopic defects in the teeth. These defects can capture tiny particles of food and bacteria that can make teeth darker as well. Some provide a desensitizing agent that prevents your teeth from being too sensitive to hot and cold foods as well as cold air. A number of these are appropriate to be used over night to help whiten your teeth while you sleep.

Although these methods are available for purchase at most supermarkets as well as online, many people would rather use their own home method of whitening their teeth. Before manufacturers began making home whiteners and whitening toothpastes, people were forced to invent their own methods of whitening teeth. The best known home concoction is a thin mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth with. One way of flavoring this is to add a drop of cinnamon oil to the peroxide. You can of course use other flavorings that do not contain dyes. Brushing your teeth with this three or four times per week will help you whiten your teeth and keep them white in between dentist visits. Other natural ways of whitening teeth is by refraining from eating foods with dyes in them, acids and sugars. Apples are nature’s natural cleaner so by eating plenty of apples will help clean your teeth as well as whiten them. Good oral health is also important for white and healthy teeth.