A Handy Guide to Teeth Whitening

If you listen and look around it seems that ads and promotions for teeth whitening are everywhere. Just turn on the television, flip through a magazine or go online and you will see that this is the case. The teeth whitening business is big dental business and is getting bigger by the day. Studies have shown that on an annual business consumers spend an estimated two billion dollars on products that will give them a brighter, whiter and cleaner looking smile.

Teeth whitening is a form of bleaching that will make your teeth whiter than they are presently. Just as you would bleach your white clothing to make the white look better, the same can be said for teeth. If you feel that whiter teeth would give your appearance a boost and you want to feel more confidence when you open your mouth to smile and talk then a whitening treatment might be right for you.

Teeth bleaching started out as something that Hollywood starlets and celebrities were doing to give them a more appealing smile. This cosmetic dental procedure has grown by leaps and bounds and now everybody wants to have a whiter and more dazzling looking smile. Teeth whitening products can be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy or grocery store in the form of toothpastes, gels and whitening strips. Or you can opt for the more costly (and more professional) approach and have a whitening procedure performed at the dental provider's office.

Many people do not have teeth that are as sparkling white as they would like them to be. This used to be okay and accepted as the norm but today people want their teeth to be as white as they can possibly be. Natural teeth have either a yellow or a grayish tint to them. Those who have a yellowish tint will respond better to the whitening procedure than those with a greyish hue. This is something your dentist will be able to tell you about your own teeth with nothing more than a glance at them.

Over time and due to normal wear and tear the enamel becomes thinner on teeth and they become more vulnerable to discoloration. This can be due to the foods a person eats, the beverages they drink, and if they smoke. Coffee, tea, soda, red wine and nicotine are all very likely to cause stains on the teeth. The yellow or brownish stains you see on your teeth can be unsightly to look at but can be removed easily with a good cleaning from the dental hygienist and a whitening product that is suitable for you.

Whether you choose to bleach your teeth to give them a whiter appearance is up to you. If your teeth are sensitive then it is important to be aware that whitening products can cause them to be a little tender and might make them even more sensitive. It would be a smart idea to have a conversation with your dentist about whitening treatments before you decide to go ahead with one. Be aware that the top of the line teeth whitening options are to be found right there at the dentist's office.