Modern dentistry has improved and changed a great amount in the last ten to twenty years, and this has led to new treatments being available to everyone, rather than just the few rich people who could afford it. People are visiting dentists for ‘cosmetic’ dental treatment in the same way that they would visit a cosmetic surgeon to have their body altered or enhanced.

With more and more celebrities having cosmetic dental treatments and exhibiting perfect teeth in magazines and on television, tooth whitening is one of the dental treatments that have soared in popularity for people young and old. Other treatments include implants, veneers, and alteration of the gum line. This article looks at the different types of teeth whitening systems and will help you assess which is best for you.

There are various teeth whitening systems available, and they range from the very expensive to the relatively cheap and accessible. All teeth whitening systems fall into two main categories - those that must be carried out by a professional such as a dentist, and those that can be done at home. Home treatments are often cheaper, but can be less effective and can even cause lasting damage if applied incorrectly.

The key to selecting which tooth whitening system is appropriate for you is to ask yourself the following questions:

Am I good at following written instructions?
What is my budget for this treatment?
Am I looking for immediate results or a course of treatment?
Am I comfortable visiting a dentist?
Do I have minor or extensive tooth staining?

Home tooth whitening systems are cheaper, but they normally use a peroxide bleach based formula and so the instructions that come with them must be followed to the letter. Otherwise, the results may not be what you expected, and the sensitivity of the teeth can be increased.

However, if you are confident about applying the treatment yourself and are prepared to finish the whole treatment without expecting instant results, home teeth whitening systems can be a cost effective way to achieve that celebrity look.

Salon or dentist based teeth whitening systems are more expensive, but can have longer lasting and more immediate effects. Dentists use similar peroxide based formulas to the home systems, but the effect is enhanced by the use of a laser. Laser whitening can make your teeth 5-6 shades lighter on the first visit by activating crystals inside a gel, but if you have extreme discoloration you may need to go back more than once.

The risks of laser teeth whitening are not great, with the most common side effect reported being increased sensitivity to hot and cold. Rubber dams are used to protect the gums when bleach based formulas are being used, and this ensures the gums are protected from the effects of the tooth whitening system.

Modern lifestyles can have a bad effect on our teeth, with drinks like coffee, tea and red wine causing staining and discoloration. Teeth whitening systems are a way to instantly reverse the effects of our lifestyle, but are no substitute for regular brushing and flossing.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Tooth whitening is becoming an increasingly popular home cosmetic procedure. Learn more about the various whitening systems, benefits and potential risks at Lustrous Teeth.com. http://www.lustrousteeth.com.

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No matter how frequently you brush your teeth, no matter how careful you are when flossing, they will still get yellow after a while. This natural process of teeth loosing their bright white color is aggravated if you are a smoker or if you drink coffee on a regular basis. There are several procedures, such as the Zoom teeth whitening method, that can help your teeth get back to a bright new white in a matter of hours.

Apart from the popular Zoom teeth whitening procedure you can also try several others, however, when making the choice, your dentist should also have some advice for you. In general you can opt for an “at home” whitening method or for the several dental office whitening procedures. The last set of procedures includes the Zoom teeth whitening method - let’s see why this procedure is so effective.

How does Zoom teeth whitening work?

This method consists of a mixture of gel and special light wave treatments. The patient is seated and the dentist uses a retractor to separate the lips from the teeth so that the gel can be applied. A special gel is then applied on all the exterior faces of the teeth. The dentist is careful, at this point, not to let the gel touch the patient’s gums too much, as it may cause irritation or lesions.

After the Zoom teeth whitening gel covers the teeth uniformly, the dentist will shine a special bright light on it for about one hour. The special properties of the Zoom teeth whitening gel and the energy produced by the lamp produce chemical reactions that lead to tooth whitening. Although waiting for an hour in the dentist’s chair for the gel and light waves to take effect might sound boring, it is one of the best tooth whitening methods available today.

How long does it last and what effects can I expect?

The answers to the questions are different from one person to another. In most cases, a Zoom teeth whitening procedure is done twice a year. An average person who drinks coffee frequently and smokes daily will have improved tooth brightness - around 10 shades brighter. After the procedure is completed, the teeth will gradually start to regain their yellowish color over time, depending on how well you take care of them. On average, people who went through in office tooth whitening procedures noticed that their teeth stay white for months, although the initial brightness does not last more than a few weeks.

The beauty of this system is that it is fast, efficient and has no side effects (although some patients did experience tooth sensitivity for one or two days after the procedure). Overall, Zoom teeth whitening is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a bright and attractive smile.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Learn about various tooth whitening systems such as the popular Zoom teeth whitening procedure at Lustrous Teeth.com. http://www.lustrousteeth.com

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So many people are embarrassed to let their smiles show. Bright smiles often become a memory of the past due to age, coffee, or tea. However, there are many teeth whitening techniques available today to bring back your pearly whites.

Here are several options for the person who wants to enjoy a whiter, brighter smile:

1. Laser teeth whitening is an option that has increased in popularity in recent years. One of the most popular options is the Zoom Teeth Whitening procedure, which can make your teeth up nine shades lighter. Laser teeth whitening can give you a brighter smile, but you can expect a fairly high price tag. This procedure can also be fairly time-consuming.

2. You could also get your teeth whitened professionally at the dentist. This option is costly and time-consuming as well.

3. Another common teeth whitening technique is to use whitening strips. One of the most popular options in this area are the Crest whitening strips. This can increase the lightness of your teeth by several shades. These have been found to be quite effective. They can be easily purchased at a pharmacy or drugstore and are worn up to twice a day for half an hour each time. This option is much more cost effecient. The only drawback that you might face with whitening strips is that they only whiten the teeth they are in direct contact with. Some people have found that the strips are not long enough to cover all they show when they smile. A tray based system will solve this problem by delivering whitener to all the teeth equally.

4. Whitening trays can be worn for up to several hours a day. This is a very successful method because the whitening gel is kept continually on the teeth. However, it is not used as much as the other options because it tends to interfere with daily life.

However, there are a variety of options to fit anyone’s lifestyle.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. You can now make it a lasting impression.

If you are looking to put on your best smile, visit the Teeth Whitening Portal to find out more about which teeth whitening techniques would be best for you.

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