Protecting Your Greatest Social Asset

A great smile is one of the most important social assets a human possesses. It’s no wonder that cosmetic dental treatments have risen to the level of popularity they occupy today. Though 100 years ago, dentistry was forced to focus primarily on the preservation of the teeth, mouth, and surrounding structures, today’s improved dental health means that dentists can focus more on aesthetics. While half of all adults in North America were toothless in the early 1900s, less than 10 percent of adults over 65 today have lost adult teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry is incredibly popular, especially among women who make up two thirds of the patients seeking cosmetic dental treatment. The most popular cosmetic procedure is teeth whitening treatments which can be performed through a variety of methods. In this article, we’ll look at a number of the teeth whitening treatments available.

Whitening Toothpastes

Though all toothpastes help to remove surface stains, whitening toothpastes also contain polishing or chemical agents that increase stain removal effectiveness. They can only help to remove surface stains and do not contain any chemicals that actually lighten the color deep within the tooth. Still, they can lighten a tooth’s color by about one shade. Of all the teeth whitening costs, toothpaste is the cheapest, but has the least effect.

Over the Counter Strips and Gels

Such teeth whitening treatments as strips and gels usually make use of peroxide in their formulas. Some gel treatments are directly applied to the surface of the teeth with a brush twice a day for 14 days. Strips, on the other hand, are pre coated with gel and are applied twice daily for a half an hour for 14 days. Both treatment systems provide results in a few days that last for about four months.

Whitening Rinses

Similar to mouthwashes, whitening rinses freshen breath, reduce plaque, and fight gum disease. They also contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide that whiten teeth. Results might take 12 weeks if they are used twice a day for 60 seconds before teeth brushing. Many experts suggest that rinses are less effective than other whitening products because they have so little contact with the teeth.

Tray Based Whiteners

Tray based teeth whitening systems can be purchased over the counter or from a dentist and utilize the same types of gel as gel treatments and strips. Instead, however, the gel fills a tray similar to a mouth guard which is worn for a couple hours a day or during the night for at least four weeks.

In Office Bleaching

In office teeth whitening treatments are performed by a dentist and provide the quickest way to whiten teeth. For these treatments, the whitening product is directly applied to the teeth and used along with heat, a special light, or a laser. Results can be seen after only one 30 to 60 minute treatment, but many patient opt for multiple appointments. The cost of in office teeth whitening treatments are more expensive than at home treatments, but they are also more effective.

Given that smiles are so important to first impressions and social interactions, it is no surprise that teeth whitening has gained such widespread popularity. The wide variety of available techniques make it accessible to almost anyone, making great smiles achievable by all. Read more here.