How to brighten your smile - tooth whitening

There is almost an infatuation in America with having white teeth. No doubt, Hollywood has a part to play in that. Americans are known for their bright smile. Tooth whitening products have developed a market of their own in recent years.

Tooth whitening products are now a lot more effective then they use to be, however, it can still be difficult to find a really low cost option to remove tooth stain.

Below is a guide of various options you have in whitening your teeth:

Tooth whitening products

Tooth whitening products, usually in the form of toothpaste, vary in price and therefore quality. The more effective solutions have greater price attached. It is advisable to avoid cheap tooth whitening products that are merely toothpastes with very weak whitening ingredients. These work very gradually and can become a source of frustration, as results are barely visible with time.

Bleaching

Tooth bleaching is the equivalent of cosmetic surgery in that a dentist in a clinic can do it in a matter of hours. Its very effective and can make teeth several shades lighter. This is now becoming a very popular way for people to have their teeth whitened almost instantly and get rid of tooth stain.

An added advantage is that it doesn't require you to break the bank. Its pretty cost effective way to change the way you look in a matter of hours. It is highly advisable to have tooth bleaching done in a clinic that carries out this procedure all the time.

Tooth bleaching gel

Tooth bleaching gel is another low cost home use option. This comes in the form tooth bleaching gel and a tray. The gel is poured on to the tray and the tray is then placed to cover your teeth. This option will get results but is much more gradual.

Be careful!

You must ensure the tooth whitening bleaches a dentist uses contains the legally allowed amount. Some rogue dentists have in the past used many times more than the 0.1% suggested amount of hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient used in the bleaching products to get better and faster results, but which have had damaging results on the patients' gums.

It is also advisable to have a look at a portfolio or a record of customers a dental practice had this done on to have a bit more assurance.

Talk to friends who have had it done to get an idea of the procedure involved.

Cleaning your teeth

Of course, it goes without saying the need to brush at least once a day (ideally twice a day) is paramount in keeping the teeth looking as white as possible. You should always use a high quality toothbrush and good toothpaste to maintain the shine.

Food

You should avoid tea and coffee or drink them very moderately to avoid staining the teeth.