By Rebecca Blain of
http://www.everything-teeth.com
Teeth whitening is a growing concern in many households around the world. As appearances, especially of the face and mouth, become more vital in business and public affairs, many people attempt to gain whiter teeth through a variety of different methods. Before you start the teeth whitening process, however, there are a few things that you should know.
First and foremost, accelerating teeth whitening can cause problems in your future, should you prove to be unlucky. Professional office treatments and homemade or out of office treatments carry the risk of mouth cancer due to agitation to the gums, lips and tongue. Your teeth are also at risk as well, due to how the process works. Fortunately, as treatments progress, this concern is limited, although total removal of the risks has not yet been developed. There is currently only one method that does not cause a risk of cancer, and that is simply brushing daily with a standard toothpaste.
If you decide that the low risks of cancer are worth a brighter smile, there are two primary methods you can use to get what you want.
In-Office Whitening
The first method is in office treatments. There are several types of in office treatments that you can take advantage of, ranging from professional tray treatments and laser treatment. While tray treatments are less expensive, these can be quite messy, taste bad, and make your gums sore for numerous days afterwards. Tray treatments also require several sessions, or a take home kit that allows you to whiten your teeth without having to see the specialist more than once. The Zoom treatments are a good example of one of these styles of treatments. In most cases, the Zoom treatment takes roughly three days for it to be completely effective.
The second style of in office treatments are Laser treatments. These treatments are much quicker, causes a more extreme discomfort that goes away quickly, and has a much more noticeable effect. However, laser treatment is expensive. One session can cost more than a thousand dollars, depending on how much the laser needs to be used. Most sessions will take roughly thirty minutes to an hour, making it the quickest type available today. However, once you begin laser treatments, if you do not take care to keep your teeth white, you will need to go back after a few months. Daily brushing and careful hygiene will be required in order to avoid having to return for a second treatment.
Do-it-Yourself Kits
The second method is a broad category of treatments that are specifically designed to be cheaper and convenient. Out of office treatments, ranging from tray treatments, pen treatments, gel treatments, strips and more, are designed in a fashion where even the busiest individual will have enough time to get the whiter smile they want. Unlike the office treatments, these treatments take time and effort over a longer period of time in order to get the results that you want. For those who want the quickest results, premium 7 day strips offer among the strongest treatments available outside of a doctor's office. Both Crest and Colgate offer strips that allow you to do treatments within a period of 7 days. These treatments will cost you less than 100 dollars for the entire 7 day period of time.
However, while convenient, there are risks associated with the use of whitestrips, pens, and other teeth whitening products for sale. The first major consideration is the fact that your teeth and gums will be very sore for the entire duration of the treatment. As standard treatments are around thirty days, this is a serious problem that can harm the quality of your life while you are whitening your teeth. While the process is cheaper, costing roughly 40 to 80 dollars for the entirety of the treatment, the after effects are more severe. After the treatments are done, your teeth will remain sore and sensitive for a long period of time, as the enamel that protects the tooth will have been partially stripped away and bleached in order to give you the white smile that you want.
It is the process of breaking down the enamel and bleaching the teeth that causes discomfort. In some individuals, the discomfort can be disabling. If you already have sensitive teeth, you will want to avoid all whitening treatments that work by breaking down the enamel. These treatments will cause you a great deal of pain and discomfort that can linger for a month or more.
However, if you can deal with the sensitive teeth and gums associated with teeth whitening, you can enjoy a brighter smile much more quickly than if you use the brushing method.
If you can not deal with the pain and sensitive gums associated with most whitening processes, there is something you can do. There are a variety of
toothpastes available that can help whiten your teeth without breaking down the enamel. While it takes much longer and requires several brushings daily, you can begin to whiten your teeth simply by making certain you take the time to brush your teeth. Avoiding smoking and drinks such as coffee will also help you ensure your teeth stay whiter.
When you are going through any tooth whitening process, you will need to make certain that you are very careful with the supplies. The chemicals associated with teeth whitening can be very dangerous if they are not handled with care. These products should never be used on children, as accidental swallowing can cause severe problems that could put the child's life at risk. Adults should also be careful, as accidentally swallowing any of the chemicals can have dangerous consequences.
Fortunately, thanks to the work and dedication of dentists and other health practitioners around the world, teeth whitening processes are becoming safer than ever before. Each new product aims at lowering the risks of cancer and discomfort so that these treatments can be a viable method of getting the smile you deserve without the side effects.
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