DIY and Professional Teeth Whitening Methods

I don't have a clue who dreamed up teeth whitening beyond the cleaning the dentist recommends every 6 months. We don't, so we do. Teeth whitening have become essential for many individuals due to minute food particles that seep into small cracks and fissures that develop in teeth as we age.

Tobacco, red wine, and black coffee are the worst offenders.

For many individuals, bright teeth are more important than real healthy teeth. Bright white teeth are almost a necessity for attracting a lover, nailing a job interview, or just plain looking and feeling good.

If "greed is good" was the mantra for the 80s, then "vanity is good" could become the catchphrase for the post bubble era.

The color of your teeth may cause you to appear much older than your true years. People naturally associate bright white teeth and a big smile with youth.

Maybe hatred of visiting the dentist is at the heart of the growing popularity of do it yourself teeth whitening kits.

I have known an oncologist who was a smoker, so afraid of the dentist that his patients had pretend not to notice his yellow teeth and horrible breath. He must have been a superior cancer specialist for patients to excuse his lack of dental hygiene.

Gels and pastes and pens are simple to use, work fine for most people, and are affordable. You can start by brushing with baking soda and rinsing with hydrogen peroxide to take care of the minor stains before using the whitening system.

I would try a home teeth whitening system before looking into laser or cosmetic surgery - unless the problem is severe or you have neglected your teeth for some time. A dental exam will help you determine if your teeth are healthy enough for home system or laser treatments.

Some issues with home teeth bleaching kits:

* It’s hard to know which one will work best for you

* Many of the low cost kits sold in local stores are not the best for you

* Might take from 2 weeks to several months to reach the results you want - instead of one hour in the dental clinic

* You must have discipline to follow the regimen exactly

* May not remove deep staining

Laser teeth whitening procedures are another story. This is done by a dental professional in a clinic and can whiten your teeth in as little as one hour. First, a special tooth whitening gel is utilized. Then, a special light is shined on your teeth to activate the gel and eliminate deep stains in your teeth.

Normally, this will take several applications of the gel and light over one hour, and cost hundreds of dollars. The upside is that the procedure is painless, with no drills or injections, and the cost is thousands of dollars less than cosmetic dentistry.

In office laser might be the best procedure for teeth whitening if:

* you want a bright smile now - not in 2 months

* you have an employment interview and you need to look your very best

* your teeth show stains from smoking and coffee

* you want a more youthful smile without yellow, dull teeth

* you want a fresh start after a divorce or transfer to a new city

Due to the current economy, many dentists are offering payment plans or financing.

Systematic teeth whitening procedures - whether DIY or in the dental clinic - are the way to keep a bright smile that will make you look younger and give you the confidence to face any of life's challenges.

Unless you have an urgent need for whiter teeth, I believe taking in testing the home kits first. If the home systems do not give you the desired results, set an appointment with dentist to see what professional, clinical options will be best for you.