Ask the Warrior Dentist: Cosmetic Dentistry: Why Tooth Whitening Deserves a Real Dentist.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile and healthy, attractive teeth. Thanks to advances in dentistry and cosmetic products for the dental industry, it is easier than ever before and many people are even able to do procedures like tooth whitening at home. But while minor whitening of the teeth to remove stains can be accomplished through a do-it-yourself method, the path to permanently whiter and brighter teeth is best left up to a professional dentist. Not only will the results last longer, but more importantly you can rest assured that the procedure is safe for your particular teeth and will not cause unexpected discomfort or loss of tooth strength and health.

The reason that going to a dentist for tooth whitening procedures is a smarter choice is because any process that does a powerful job of whitening the teeth can also have a potentially damaging impact on the tooth enamel. Each of us has a unique physical make-up, and that is not just true of our one-of-a-kind fingerprints but it also applies to our teeth and their health. So before undergoing any kind of health care or cosmetic procedure, it is always best to consult someone who superior training and education. When it comes to tooth whitening that will last for years and continue to deliver great results, a trained dentist is the right person to turn to for advice and help.

The way that most dental whitening procedures work is that they actually chemically remove stains and discoloration from the surface of the tooth, and dentists classify two basic procedures for accomplishing whiter teeth - namely "bleaching" and "whitening." Bleaching whitens teeth beyond their original natural color. The chemical products used to take tooth color to this stage are usually hydrogen peroxide - the same kind used to bleach hair - or a similar chemical known as carbamide peroxide. Technically speaking, the term "whitening" refers to the process of restoring tooth color to its original whiteness by removing stains, dirt, and other things that can discolor a tooth.

To narrow down that best strategy for making teeth whiter, dentists look at two types of stain. Extrinsic stains are on the outer surface of the tooth, whereas intrinsic stains are actually inside the tooth and they show through the surface of the tooth enamel. Toothpaste and other home remedies for whitening the teeth can usually deal effectively with mild types of extrinsic stains, although usually a trip to the dentist is required to effectively remove stubborn extrinsic stains. Meanwhile the intrinsic stains - which tend to be the most noticeable and hard to fix - come about due to tiny cracks or porous areas in the enamel and these interior stains are deeply embedded. They can happen with age or because of exposure to various chemicals - including fluoride or certain antibiotics as a child - that tend to discolor teeth over time.

Because fast removal of either kind of stain can usually only be accomplished by a dentist - and nobody wants to wait a long time to get a whiter smile - it is more effective to leave teeth whitening up to your dentist. If you have sensitive teeth whiteners and bleaches can also cause discomfort or even extreme pain, and your dentist can also examine your teeth before any procedure to ensure that the process is as healthy and pain-free as possible. In the long run it may cost a little more to have teeth whitened or cleaned by a dentist, but the results are more permanent, risk-free, and immediate - so most people generally find that the valuable results more than outweigh any added expense.