Most of us will go to any length just to get a beautiful smile that gives us confidence and looks of admiration from our loved ones. Laser or Zoom teeth whitening can now have you smiling like a celebrity in no time at all with technology that is used to lighten mild or severe discoloration of the dentin and enamel.
Zoom whitening involves the use of gel and special light wave treatments. The dentist uses a retractor to separate the lips from the teeth of the patient. 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, a special bright light is shone 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. The patient is then required to wait for an hour in the dentist's chair for the gel and light waves to take effect. After that the patient walks out with a brand new smile.
In most cases, Zoom teeth whitening requires two treatments 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. Generally people who undergo Zoom teeth whitening procedures noticed that their teeth stay white for months, although the initial brightness does not last more than a few weeks.
Zoom teeth whitening is growing increasingly popular because it is fast, efficient and has no side effects. Some patients 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.
Whichever method you choose it is important to remember that teeth whitening treatment is a cosmetic procedure. Only you can decide if you really want to have your teeth whitened and the procedure that’s right for you.
The most preferred option for better looking teeth is Laser teeth whitening. While it is expensive, many feel it is worth the cost as it produces almost immediate results in a short time with little discomfort. Others on a budget may try over the counter home DIY systems. These can work but the process is much more tedious as it usually involves several days of applying whitening gel, sometimes overnight for the whitening process to work.
For light stains and discoloration, home DIY kits offer a viable solution that can be effective and less costly. Various tooth whitening gel products are available in the form of dental trays or strips. There are also very handy pens that allow for no-mess application of whitening gel on the go.
For teeth with deeper discoloration however, end results of home DIY kits may not be able to match up to the shade of white achieved by professional treatment at a dental clinic.
The most aesthetically pleasing whitening treatment is the use of teeth veneers. This is a very costly procedure that involves bonding very thin porcelain veneers onto the front of teeth and is usually carried out for chipped or misaligned teeth. It is also used for teeth that have stains that cannot be removed.
Veneers have a few disadvantages. Once it breaks, there is no way to repair it. Also, having veneers bonded onto teeth requires that a minimal but noticeable amount of teeth enamel to be trimmed to fit the veneer. Teeth that have had veneers fitted must always have a veneer on in order to have a natural shape. Therefore, the cost could be very high in the long run.
If you have decided that teeth whitening is right for you, you need to consider a few things before going ahead with the procedure.
Ensure that all your cavities have been treated. Any untreated cavities can be aggravated and irritated by the teeth whitening chemicals. If you have receding gums issues, get them treated are dealt with before commencing teeth whitening, so that you don't harm any exposed roots.
Don’t forget to brush regularly. We all know that's what we should be doing, but if you seriously want to whiten your teeth, be extremely thorough about it. Brush after every meal, and allow plenty of time to brush properly.
Get into the habit of flossing at least twice a day. If you can do it after every meal, that's even better. Flossing stops food scraps from building up and causing exposed roots. The acid in foods causes receding gums, and brushing doesn't remove everything.
Using mouthwash regularly helps to stop bacteria and acids from building up, which prevents tooth decay and receding gums. You may think you're overdoing things to add mouthwash to your dental health regime as well, but the cleaner your mouth, the easier the process of teeth whitening will become.
After you have gone to all the trouble of having your teeth whitened, you obviously wouldn't want to lose all that whiteness again. You would want to take all the necessary steps to maintain the whiteness of your teeth. After all, a teeth whitening procedure is a long-term investment that should be maintained. Otherwise, you'd have to invest time and money once more to get your teeth white again.
Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth each and every time you finish your meals. Use anti-bacterial mouthwash or change to a toothpaste that has whitening properties. A toothpaste with whitening properties protects the teeth from getting stained and discolored. Leaving your teeth stained and discolored by the food you eat, by not brushing them is the fastest way to getting them discoloured.
Use a straw if you are a heavy caffeine drinker and simply cannot get rid of the habit, drink with a straw. The straw will protect your teeth from stain and discoloration because the caffeine will bypass your teeth. Of course, if you stop drinking caffeine, this would be a much better option as not only will it keep your teeth white, but make you healthier..
Treat teeth whitening as an investment. You don't want to lose it by neglecting to take the necessary care towards maintaining your teeth. How often do you think you can afford to take teeth whitening treatments again and again? Getting a teeth whitening procedure done is akin to buying a new car and failing to maintain it on a regular basis. Unless you take an active role in taking care of your teeth, that teeth-whitening procedure is just going to be a waste of your time and money.