Teeth Whitening & Oral Health Blog

Who among us  does not want sparkling white teeth? There is nothing like a dazzling white smile to boost your self confidence. Unfortunately many of us hide our smiles because of stained teeth.

 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!

Whiter teeth is a goal that is often pursued greatly. A whiter smile helps people be more confident and sure of themselves when they are communicating and showing interest during conversation. Teeth whitening mouth trays are often used to help people accomplish that goal, and there are several different types of teeth whitening mouth trays available on the market today to give you the white teeth and bright smile you’ve been trying to achieve. These different trays include silicone, whiter smile, and heat sink or thermoforming mouth trays.

Silicone

Silicone mouth trays are double sided, which means that you only need one mold for both your upper and lower teeth. When the mold is made, there will be silicone molding material in the tray on both sides and you bite into the silicone to make an exact replica of your teeth. Whitening solution is then placed in the tray and your teeth are evenly covered in the solution, helping you get a brighter, whiter smile that is even over your entire teeth. This type of mold is best for those without a bad gag reflex because it is a very bulky tray. It is also recommended that the solution you use be one for less than 30 minutes. There are several advantages to these, including an exact mold and the ability to remold it if needed.

Whiter Smile Mouth Trays

Whiter smile mouth trays are considered to be the very best home teeth whitening trays next to a dentist mold because there are so many advantages to using them. Whiter smile mouth trays are extremely comfortable and are made from a hard material so it is not easy to accidentally damage them, making them long-lasting. Gel leakage when using these mouth trays is rare because they are such a good mold and offer excellent dental impressions. The teeth impressions occur when the mold is held in hot water and then the teeth are pressed into the mold, and unless they are heated after that. It is also less likely that you will be a victim of a sensitivity issue with the whiter smile mouth tray.

Heat Sink/Thermoforming

In teeth whitening kits that contain trays, heat sink or thermoforming trays will more than likely be the type of tray you get. The trays used in thermoforming teeth whitening kits need to be heated with hot water so the material will be soft enough for teeth to press into it. However, one disadvantage of this type of tray is that often the molds form over themselves if the tray is heated too much and the material becomes overly soft. However, thermoforming teeth whitening trays are the cheapest kind available and are usually quite comfortable. They also have the added benefit of being clear and made from high quality polymer blends. Heat sink teeth whitening trays are very popular and commonly used for these reasons.

© Copyright Whiter Smile : Australia’s Largest Teeth Whitening Superstore! Stocking a huge range of the best teeth whitening, tooth bleaching, bad breath, and oral health products on the planet. Best Price Guarantee!
http://www.whitersmile.com.au

The terms “teeth whitening” and “teeth bleaching” are often used interchangeably, but there are actually great differences between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures and products. It is important to keep these differences in mind when deciding which bleaching or whitening product to invest in, and consider the risks and advantages of each before choosing. The differences between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching products include how they work, how long it takes them to work, and the risks that come with each. Knowledge is power when it comes to proactively doing something about yellowed or dull looking teeth.

Basically…

The bare bones of teeth whitening come down to the difference in teeth whitening and teeth bleaching. Teeth whitening is the process of removing dirt and debris from the miniscule cracks and pores of the teeth to make them look cleaner and therefore whiter. Teeth bleaching is the process of using peroxide or actual bleach to seep into the enamel of the tooth and brightening the layer underneath that has turned yellow or brown in color. Teeth whitening products may contain peroxide or bleach, but they are still not considered teeth bleaching products.

Teeth Bleaching

Teeth bleaching is the more popular of the two forms of whitening processes for teeth. The more expensive teeth bleaching is done at a dentist’s office, while less expensive bleaching kits are found in stores and done at home. Bleaching at the dentist’s office is more expensive because the solution used in the process is anywhere from 15 to 35% hydrogen peroxide and the process is boosted by using a laser or other specialized light. The color change is immediate and very noticeable.

The at-home teeth bleaching kits usually include either pre-filled or customizable mouth trays that hold gel or other whitening solutions. The trays are put on the mouth for a certain amount of time, usually two to three times a week. Other at-home systems use brush on gel or strips to place on the teeth. All of these are much cheaper than dentist chair procedures. Risks of teeth bleaching include increased sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch, irritated gums, and multicolored teeth (when dental work does not get whiter along with the natural ones). Products are available to help deal with the sensitivity issues including desensitisers and reminerlisation products.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening often most often comes in the form of whitening toothpastes or mouth washes. These products are meant to remove the debris and dirt from the tiny cracks and crevices of the teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter after their use. Whitening tooth pastes and mouth washes are often quite cheap compared to at home teeth bleaching kits and dentist chair procedures, making them very friendly on a budget. What is considered a disadvantage is that teeth whitening products often take six plus weeks before a result can be seen.

There are a few risks associated with teeth whitening products as well, and these are basically the same as the ones for teeth bleaching. It is important to discontinue use if an extreme reaction occurs to either teeth whitening or bleaching products.

© Copyright Whiter Smile : Australia’s Largest Teeth Whitening Superstore! Stocking a huge range of the best teeth whitening, tooth bleaching, bad breath, and oral health products on the planet. Best Price Guarantee!
http://www.whitersmile.com.au

Tooth whitening is a notion that is probably heavily considered among the thing that many people believe they should be or are doing to improve their appearance and confidence. There is a lot to know and consider about tooth whitening before you should begin a regimen. However, knowing how the whitening is done, the risks associated with tooth whitening, who should or shouldn’t whiten, as well as your options for whitening your teeth are all very important. Knowledge is power when it comes to tooth whitening, so it’s important to keep these things in mind.

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.

The number one morning drink in the country is coffee. Many people who drink it worry about the effects that coffee has on white teeth. There is only a couple of dangers to drinking coffee including the caffeine that it contains and the staining that occurs from drinking it. Because it is an acidic drink the more you drink the more acidic the mouth becomes. When this happens calcium and phosphate are pulled directly away from the enamel which causes the teeth to become weak in structure.

Although your mouth can repair the damage of calcium and phosphate being removed from your teeth, it requires some work and time. The mouth must have more alkaline in order to start rebuilding the enamel through your saliva. This process become extremely difficult when you consider how much soda and coffee the average person ingests. The more acidic the drink, the more alkaline your mouth needs to create the saliva that is needed to repair it. This can also create a more serious problem called acid reflux. Many times the esophagus becomes irritated from the acidic fluids causing it to develop lesions. It takes serious medical attention to correct this condition; all from drinking coffee. This condition can be serious if not cared for and can sometimes feel as though you are having a heart attack.

Caffeine is also found in coffee which interferes with the production of saliva. This causes a dry mouth which can cause tooth decay. There is hope for those who are addicted to caffeine though. It has been proven that drinking a glass of water along with your coffee greatly reduces the risk of tooth decay. The water replenishes the fluid that is drawn out of the mouth by the caffeine. Caffeine is also the problem with stained teeth. This is because the entire mouth is immersed in the hot liquids and causes staining primarily on the top and bottom front teeth. You can reduce staining by drinking iced coffee or tea and sipping it through a straw. This way the liquid bypasses the front teeth staining only the back of the front teeth and the molars.

Many people drink coffee all day never rinsing with water or brushing until the end of the day, by which time, the damage is already occurring. If you must drink it throughout the day, rinse your mouth between cups. You could also spend less time drinking coffee by substituting a glass of water for a cup of coffee. Water is good at making you feel full while coffee does nothing for an empty stomach other than creating acid in the stomach which can cause acid reflux. There is a of damage that can be done by drinking too much coffee. Staining of the teeth can be lessened by using a whitening toothpaste at least twice a day while other damage may take more care than this. Specialised toothpastes can sometimes repair some of the enamel damage and it can also help prevent tooth decay.

Almost all teeth whiteners use some form of peroxide to help promote a bleaching process. It is not at all surprising to pull an over-the-counter whitening toothpaste or tooth whitener off of a grocery store shelf and find peroxide in the ingredients. This is used due to its anesthetic qualities as well as it bleaching abilities. There are different forms of peroxide that are available but the most commonly used peroxide in cosmetic dentistry is Carbamide peroxide or urea peroxide.

Carbamide peroxide is an oxidizing agent that contains both hydrogen peroxide and urea. Many dentists use this with lasers to promote bleaching of your teeth. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes stains on the tooth enamel. Many people use hydrogen peroxide to help whiten their teeth for several reasons:

• It promotes a healthier mouth
• No harmful acids or abrasives
• Ease in use
• Inexpensive

Hydrogen peroxide is used in a number of mouth and teeth rinses and pastes. In fact before many of the teethe whitening concoctions were developed, people used hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to brush their teeth. Both are excellent whiteners and a little table salt adds an extra exfoliant to the process. However since manufacturers have been producing teeth whiteners, there have been some rather remarkable results that have been obtained from using hydrogen peroxide as a whitener.

One particularly impressive tooth whitener that uses Carbamide peroxide is called Nite White ACP. This is a tooth desensitizer that uses a patented Amorphous Calcium Phosphate chemistry to bond with your tooth’s surface to fill any microscopic defect. This makes your teeth smoother and gives them luster. In addition to filling the microscopic defects in your teeth that make them so sensitive, most users have less fading of the white after six months of use of Nite White ACP. It comes in a three syringe pack that is good for 9-12 dual arch whitening sessions. It is used in an arch tray system and it is mixed by the syringe as it is placed in the trays.

Day White ACP is used just like the Nite White ACP but is designed to be used for less time. Where the Nite White ACP is only a 16% or 22% solution used for either 1 hour a day or overnight depending on which product, the Day White ACP is a 38% solution that is used for a period of only 15 minutes. It also comes in a three syringe pack that is enough for twelve dual arch trays and mixed by the syringe. These two whiteners are great for sensitive teeth because it helps fill in the small defects that make teeth sensitive while it whitens.

There are a large number of whiteners to choose from and many people must play a trial and error game before they find the whitener that works for their teeth. Since most people have different shades of white naturally on their teeth, it may take several uses before any difference is noticed. One should not judge a whitener by the effects of one application. You should use it a few times before switching to another whitener.

Are your teeth the color of cauliflower? Has your coffee stained them beyond recognition? Chances are if you said yes to either of these questions, your teeth needs a revamping to help improve not only your self confidence but your smile as well. Your smile is one of the first things a person notices when they first meet you. If your teeth are darkened and stained you appear as though you are not a happy person.

We take pride in the car we drive, the clothes we wear and the home we live in so why not take pride in your teeth? Darkened, dull teeth are not only unsightly they can be down right frightening in some cases. People who have darkened teeth tend to not smile as often as others making some think they are unfriendly or always irritated about something. It can be an embarrassing situation to meet someone for the first time when your teeth are not their whitest. You can try over-the-counter whiteners but chances are they are only going to whiten your teeth two or three shades and leave them darker than they would be if you had visited your dentist for a laser whitening.

Dentist whitening can be expensive and leave your teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods and liquids not to mention sensitive to cold air. This makes you miserable from the intense pain that can be caused by the sensitivity. You want your smile to be bright while retaining as much of the normal enamel that you were born with. It isn’t considered a luxury any longer to whiten your teeth; in fact some companies will pay to have their sales representatives teeth whitened. This is due to the position they hold; working with the public as an agent of the company. If your teeth are darkened and stained, you are less likely to make the sale.

There are some products on the market that don’t cost an arm and a leg that will whiten your teeth as if you visited your dentist. The Whiter Smile whitening products are an excellent choice in whiteners. There are six different kits of Whiter Smile products ranging from 22% Carbamide peroxide to very strong 35% and 44% that can whiten your teeth with regular use. The Whiter Smile’s kits are design for the individual who wants results quickly at the least expense. It comes with an average of 40 applications of 22% Carbamide Peroxide Gel for tough stains, remineralizing gel that helps replenish the enamel of your teeth and three thermoshrink guards that when placed in hot water, moulds around your teeth and then hardens.

There are more of the Whiter Smile products available including a starter kit, advanced kit, deluxe kit, couples kit for the couple who does everything together, a 35% kit and a 44% kit. Each kit comes with enough whitening gel to complete your treatment plus have some extra for touch ups later. The starter kit is designed for those who are not sure this is the whitening kit for them and only contains a 1 week supply.

Some people pay good money to have their teeth whitened. For this reason they don’t want to allow them to darken again so they do anything possible to maintain their white teeth. There are a lot of natural methods of cleaning and keeping your teeth white include drinking plenty of water, flossing after every meal, rinsing your mouth after every meal, eating plenty of apples and using peroxide to brush your teeth with.

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.

Many people worry about their sensitive teeth when it comes to whitening them. They worry that the process will remove enamel making their already sensitive teeth hurt even more. There is a way to help ease the sensitivity of your teeth if you have been putting off whitening your teeth because of it. It is called the process of remineralizing your teeth. This is actually recommended for anyone who has sensitive teeth but a real necessity for those who actually go through a bleaching process.

You should first of all know that all bleaching gels cause some degree of sensitivity. Some people have come to expect the discomfort that comes with whitening their teeth and are have even resolved their self to deal with it due to the benefits of the whitening process. Some dentists will recommend treatments for sensitivity or a remineralization of the teeth. This is the process of restoring the minerals that our teeth contain after bleaching has taken place. You can manage this in several different ways such as toothpastes, pre-filled trays and gels.

The process by which our teeth become remineralized is this:

• Foods that we eat deposit minerals in our system which in turn is present in our saliva. By not eating a proper diet or not chewing our food sufficiently we may end up with mineral poor saliva.
• Carbonic acid is needed for strong teeth. There is only a miniscule fraction of the carbon dioxide that we breathe that is converted into carbonic acid.
• This carbonic acid molecule has to be produced in close proximity to a mineral molecule that is then dissolved into the carbonic acid molecule.
• This all has to happen in close proximity to a demineralized spot in the latticework of the tooth that requires the mineral.
• This spot on the tooth has to be clean so that it is accessible by the mineral.
• The carbonic acid must finally convert to carbon dioxide and water where a mineral is precipitated out of the solution and into the structure of the enamel.

By using remineralization to help rebuild the enamel on your teeth, you can whiten your teeth without worrying about the sensitivity that occurs with whitening.

Toothpastes that help rebuild tooth enamel should be used throughout the whitening process. This is effective only if you are using bleach on your teeth. Most whitening toothpastes do not use bleach so there is no fear of demineralizing your teeth with whitening pastes. Pre-filled trays that are used for remineralizing your teeth should be used either before or after the whitening and in some instances both before and after depending on the extent of the sensitivity. Gels can be used with the same custom trays that are used for whitening teeth. They are usually used for a period of 30 minutes before or after whitening or both. It is highly advisable to begin remineralizing your teeth if you are bleaching your teeth to help desensitize your teeth.

Before you decide on a teeth whitener for yourself, you should consider a few things. You should determine whether your teeth are sensitive, whether there is any gum disease present, if your teeth are healthy enough and how you want to whiten them. The results of your answers will enable you to choose the right teeth whitening treatments for you. Some people choose to pay their dentist for whitening treatments while others prefer to whiten them at home due to the convenience as well as the cost. Dentist whitening can cost in excess of $600 dollars and must be repeated periodically to keep them their whitest. Home whitening treatments are more expensive than toothpastes but can be used daily which prevents darkening from occurring.

There are a lot of people who have sensivities to hot and cold foods as well as cold air. This can be painful. If you use a professional grade whitener on sensitive teeth, it can cause even more damage by irritating the gum line around the teeth. There are a few whitening treatments that include a remineralizing product that actually fills in the tiny, microscopic crevasses and pits that occur from normal eating. This helps to desensitize the teeth making eating hot and cold foods easier.

Before beginning any whitening treatments it is recommended that you visit your dentist to make sure there is no gum disease present. Gum disease can sometime allow the teeth to loosen and become abscessed. Using whitening products with gum disease can cause serious problems. The gums can become irritated making the abscess worse and spreading the infection through your body. This would require medical attention in order to correct the problem.

One of the most important things you should discuss with your dentist is whether your teeth are healthy enough to begin whitening treatments. If there are any small decays that may be present between teeth it can cause excruciating pain and possible infection. There are a number of gum diseases that can go undetected by someone who is not familiar with dental diseases. If your dentist determines that your teeth are healthy enough to begin whitening treatments and that there is no gum disease you should determine which method of treatments you would like to try.

Whitening treatments come in a number of different types such as all tray whiteners, plasma lights, strips and pens as well as toothpastes and mouth rinses. The type you choose will determine the cost of your treatments and possible even the effects of the whiteners on your teeth. Some of these whiteners takes longer before you actually see their effects while others are more visible in a short period of time. The ones that take a short period of time have a higher percentage of peroxide in them; this can range between 12% and 44%. Of course 44% is a professional grade of whitener while the lesser is an over-the-counter grade. The strength of your whitening treatments will be determined by the color of your natural teeth.