by admin on August 3, 2010
In the most general sense, there are two different types of teeth whitening.
First, you go to the dentist, have him use a laser operation to whiten your smile. This can be time consuming as well as expensive.
Second, you can do it yourself at home with various methods of teeth whitening. There are three very general types of whitening methods that you can try out.
- First, there is brush-on whitening. Very easy concept: You brush on a product, allow to dry, wash out your mouth next morning. There are two flaws with this, though. First, it doesn’t work unless it dries on correctly. If you have a glass of water or you salivate too much before it dries, it rubs off very easily. Second, one of the drying agents is alcohol, which is horrible for your breath!
- Second, there are the teeth whitening strips. These are very effective, but the issue is that it does not form fit the teeth, on occasion can cause issues with some bumps and grooves not being as white as other areas.
- Third, there are trays. One would put gel into the tooth whitening tray, apply it and let it sit for a period of time. Of course, if it is not form fitted to your teeth, it may cause similar issues as with the strips. Also, there can be messes involved when you use gels.
- Fourth, there are relatively new alternatives, such as pens and other kits. These too will have some disadvantages, but generally speaking, they’ll give you great results with little mess and a relatively low cost.
Certainly home teeth whiteners may be a good option for you if you would like to save time and money over going to the dentist’s office. Of course, consulting with your dentist can’t hurt, and neither could making an informed decision about which product to use.
by admin on August 3, 2010
There are two different products which are generally used in various concentrations to oxidize stains and whiten teeth. In layman’s terms, it is a chemical process from the bleaching product that removes stains from your teeth. The standard active ingredient in teeth bleaches are either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are measured in their strength, so be careful what percent of your teeth whitener is one of these two chemicals. Generally speaking, if you are using a carbamide peroxide solution, most use about a 6% solution with the maximum being 10%; if you decide to use a hydrogen peroxide solution, try to keep it under 20%, as most commercial brands keep it a little more than 10%.
The risks from teeth bleaching are threefold:
- Chemical burns from too high of a concentration of the product. Generally, you should be careful and read the label. Most whiteners that are hydrogen peroxide based are 10%, while carbamide peroxide whiteners are usually 6%. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the packaging when you come to decide on buying a teeth bleaching product or system.
- Over-bleaching occurs when you leave the product on too long and you end up with blindingly white teeth. This is often known as the Hollywood Syndrome or Celebrity White Syndrome. Your teeth end up being over-white, and it looks very unnatural.
- If the results are too staggering for too short a period of time, then the results could involve a “rebound”, where the whitening is lost very quickly. The rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are some teeth whitening products out there that may guarantee 8-9 shades whiter in one hour. Sure, this may happen, but you will lose 6-7 shades a few hours later.
So take care when choosing the right teeth bleaching product. If you need assistance in selecting a product, please ask a dentist or other oral hygiene professional.
by admin on August 3, 2010
Teeth whitening pens generally contain a standard teeth whitening ingredient, which you spread onto a brush and brush it into your teeth. Alternatively, some teeth whitener pens, such as Extreme Whitener works when you brush the applicator pen directly onto your teeth. Extreme Whitener and other pen whiteners like it have the added portability and convenience that allow you to touch up before a big interview, or ensure that your last cup of coffee won’t stain your teeth.
The results are usually pretty good, but are not as strong as strips or gels. Oral hygiene manufacturers that make gels often say that their product can get your teeth 8 shades whiter. If you are looking for an alternative, you can get your teeth 3 or 4 shades whiter with whitening pens. Teeth whitening pens are useful if you are looking for something that is portable, as well as convenient. If you are looking for gels or strips, expect to lose the freedom of having your mouth move for a good 30 minutes to several hours. This is not practical for those who are generally busy.
Teeth whitener pens are not recommended for children or pregnant/lactating women. Otherwise, teeth whitening pens don’t damage enamel or the gums. Most teeth whitening pens are very safe products for your teeth. Of course, if there is any question as to whether or not a product is safe, ask your dentist or oral health care provider. Prices vary, from $12-$80, and there are free trials available, just pay shipping and handling. Extreme Whitener offers a trial for a few dollars, and I use it on a regular basis, and even after drinking coffee regularly for 12 years, I have very white teeth.
If you would like more information about Extreme Whitener or other products, check out the other reviews on this site for more specific information.
by admin on August 3, 2010
There’s a variety of gel whiteners out on the market today; most are of good quality and will whiten teeth up to 8 shades whiter. There are more expensive ways that require you to make a mold of your mouth, send the mold back so that the company can custom fit a tray to ensure the best fit, comfort, and effectiveness. Alternatively, if you ask a dentist to do so, he will take a mold of your teeth and mouth, then make a tray based on that mold.
There are less expensive “one size more or less fits all” which takes a basic tooth/gum shape and sends that out as part of a kit. These may not fit as well as a custom fitted tray.
When you have a working tray, you put a proscribed amount of whitening gel into the tray and leave it in for a given amount of time. This process can get messy, but it is among the best at-home whitening methods. There is an amusing anecdote that I shared with you, reader, about a friend of mine who had sat down with a tube full of teeth whitener gel in his back pocket! This won’t happen to everyone, rather, it is very effective. In fact, it is ideal for more drastic whitening measures than teeth whitening pens or strips.
The gel is generally a solution of carbamide peroxide, and the strength depends on the percentage of this product is contained in the solution. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the product label to find out how strong the solution is. If there is too much carbamide peroxide in a solution, then there is the potential for chemical burns, rebounding, and a host of other problems. The less strong products are usually about 6% solution of carbamide peroxide, which gives you a general rule of thumb to follow.
Certainly, teeth whitener gel can be a very useful tool to drastically whiten teeth without becoming over-white. Please note the packaging may have useful information when you purchase a teeth whitening gel system.
