Category: teeth whitening

5 Best Tooth Brushes for Hygiene & Super White Teeth

I think we can all agree, white teeth are an immediate physical sign of self-care and even physical attraction.

If you do a quick “google search” on how to brush your teeth properly, you are going to find plenty of information. Of course, it’s very important to brush your teeth properly. But did you know that using the right toothbrush is just as important? A bad toothbrush can cause a lot of harm to your teeth and gums. Not to mention, using the right toothbrush can keep your teeth white. You read that right. You can keep your teeth consistently white by using the right tooth brush. Yup. Read on, mate.

While there are a hundreds of teeth whitening products on the market, the ZOOM! teeth whitening system is the closest thing you will find online to whitening systems offered at dental offices for $400+.

We know you’re anxious to whiten your teeth and may not want to go through the several week process of having custom whitening trays made, but by having custom, reusable upper and lower trays made for you in our lab, you are able to reuse the trays to whiten and re-whiten whenever you need throughout the years.  Three syringes of ZOOM! whitening gel can last up to two years. And if you run out of gel, you can simply purchase more on Amazon. The ZOOM! Gel is powerful, but also safe for sensitive teeth. You’ll be amazed by the results!

The Ultimate Guide to Various Teeth Bleaching and Whitening Procedures

Many people today suffer from dental discolorations which may be intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic discolorations are due to a buildup of stains on the surface of the teeth. The stains may be caused by dental plaque, calculus, specific medical applications, betel chewing, and smoking tobacco. Intrinsic discolorations may be caused by dental caries, hyperemia, dental trauma, fluorosis, porphyria, bruxism, among other causes. So! The popular question remains: How white can my teeth get?

It is worth mentioning that even if you brush, floss and make regular visits to a dentist, various factors like the food you eat or the drinks you drink can still cause some teeth discolorations. Fortunately though, nowadays, there are several teeth whitening and bleaching options on the market today. While some are more effective than others, a good method can help patients eliminate dental stains and achieve their naturally white smiles. So what are the various teeth whitening and bleaching process on the market today? How white can my teeth get?

Over-the-counter methods

How white can my teeth get?

Over-the-counter teeth whitening and bleaching methods are fairly affordable options. They include toothpastes, mouth rinses and gels, whitening strips, and pre-made whitening trays.

• Whitening Toothpaste strictly whitens the teeth; they don’t bleach them. They have mild abrasives that help to remove surface stains from the teeth. Some contain chemical polishing agents which provide additional whitening effectiveness. Our recommendation is Arm & Hammer Advanced White Extreme Whitening Formula Toothpaste
• Whitening strips are thin plastic pieces coated with peroxide. The patient wears the strips attached to their front teeth for about 30 minutes daily for two weeks. The results are often sustained for up to 4 months. The results can be really nice however the price is high for these non-reusable strips. Because your teeth have a tendency to start to discolor again over time (some individuals more quickly than others) this could become an expensive choice to keep up with. The 3D Crest White Strips retail for $44.50
•  Brush on whitening gels are also peroxide-based. They are applied on the surface of the teeth using a small brush. The results are comparable to the whitening strips.
•  Mouth rinses contain small amounts of peroxide. Individuals use them just as they would use traditional anti-bacterial mouthwash. Often users are required to swish the whitening rinse in the mouth twice daily before brushing. Significant results may take up 12 weeks to appear. However, experts say that rinses may not work as efficiently as other over-the-counter whitening methods as they are in contact with the teeth for a very short time.
• Charcoal Tooth Whitening  Activated charcoal adheres to the surfaces of the teeth and removes stains that are caused by drinking tea or red wine, eating certain foods, smoking, chewing tobacco, etc. However, this method does not whiten teeth that are naturally dark or yellow. Also, it should be noted that many claims to this product have not been confirmed by the ADA. Charcoal is very abrasive and some researchers warn that the constant scrubbing with such an abrasive agent can make your teeth susceptible to future yellowing/staining more easily.
• Those Booths at the mall

  You’ve seen em. Some of the mall kiosks claim they use a 35% bleaching agent. That is powerful! It is less expensive than the dental office but many dentists and researchers argue that the employees working at these kiosks are not knowledgeable enough to perform the whitening procedure and can be a potential danger to consumers. Customers with sensitive teeth, receding gums, fracture lines or cracks, & exposed roots or dentin in the teeth can be especially susceptible to pain or irritation during or after the procedure.  Additionally, these instant whitening results can most often be short lived. If you do decide to go this route be sure to check with your dentist first to make sure you’re a good candidate and follow up with proper after whitening regimens such as avoiding stain inducing foods and drinks and brushing with a whitening toothpaste twice daily.

• Dental office take home whitening kit   Until recently, custom made whitening trays were only available through the dentist and dental offices prices on average are $400 +. This method includes taking dental impressions of your teeth and having thin, clear custom trays made for your unique dental anatomy. Tray-based teeth whitening involve using a mouth guard-like tray in which you fill a  carbamide peroxide bleaching agent before wearing it for a specified period. The excellent fit, ability to reuse the trays and quality of dentist grade gel makes the process rich with benefits.

Sentinel Custom Teeth Whitening Kit

Same take home whitening kit sold in dental offices for $400+

Sentinel Mouthguards Teeth Whitening System. Included in purchase: do it yourself dental impression kit(s), custom made upper and lower dental whitening trays, 3 syringes of ZOOM! Phillips Brand Teeth Whitening Gel

You take your own dental impressions just like they do in the dental office! This option is a great alternative for those who have been thinking about buying the take home whitening kits from the dental office but can’t seem to justify that hefty price tag. This online service provides everything you need to take your own teeth impression on the upper and lower teeth. Free all inclusive shipping in the USA!  You will receive custom made whitening trays that fit like a glove + 3 syringes of 22% ZOOM! teeth whitening gel. Upon ordering you will receive a do it yourself dental impression kit for both your upper and lower teeth. Following the easy instructions, you take an impression of your teeth. Mail the impressions to the Sentinel lab. Your whitening trays will be fabricated using EVA dentist grade whitening plastics. Included in the outgoing package to you will be custom upper and lower whitening trays, whitening gel, & retainer case for proper storage.

In-office teeth whitening processes

Much like the whitening kiosks at the mall, in-office teeth whitening procedures involve a single visit to the dentist that achieves the best results in less than 60 minutes. The dental expert will place a protective coating on your gums and tissues before applying peroxide-concentrated whitening gel on your teeth. An ultraviolet lamp is then shined onto your teeth to activate the chemical ingredients of the bleaching gel. This method yields significantly visible results immediately. Dental office prices typically range $500 and up

“What makes the teeth white during the bleaching process?”

The teeth bleaching procedure is actually very simple. Most bleaching products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide both of which are active bleaching agents. There are two major in-office types of teeth whitening procedures which include non-vital teeth whitening and vital teeth whitening.

Vital teeth whitening is usually performed on teeth with live nerves. A bleaching gel is applied on the teeth, and then a laser light is shone on it to activate it. Non-vital whitening, is done on teeth that do not have live nerves, for instance, teeth that have had root-canal treatments. Both procedures use concentrated bleaching gels.

Now whether or not you are using in-office or over-the-counter teeth bleaching procedures, here is what happens during the bleaching process. Once activated, the bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) releases oxygen molecules that penetrate through your dental enamel. As the oxygen molecules penetrate, they break apart chemical bonds holding the stains together, producing a whitening effect.

“Is this safe?”

The bleaching process is often safe, but it can cause temporary teeth sensitivity to cold. You may also get mild gum irritation, but this will go away after some time.

“How white can my teeth get? Are there people that can’t get their teeth whitened?”

Contrary to what you may be thinking, not all types of teeth are equally susceptible to whitening. In some cases, discolored teeth may not whiten as much as an individual wants. Why is this case? Firstly, teeth composition varies from one person to another. Therefore, various types of teeth have their maximum whiteness levels beyond which they will not whiten no matter what process is used.

Secondly, it is necessary to mention here that that smokers, coffee and red wine drinkers may not have their teeth as whitened as they would expect especially if they do not refrain from smoking during the whitening or bleaching process. Also, bear in mind that only real teeth can be whitened. Whitening will not work on crowns, veneers, dentures, or fillings.

Tetracycline stains

It was believed at one time that Tetracycline teeth stains were not treatable with any teeth whitening method. Now we know that there are options.  Tetracyclines are a group of antibiotics that can cause bluish, gray or brown stains on the teeth.  KOR WHITENING is the recommended treatment for  Tetracycline teeth before you resort to expensive cosmetic work. Though the  KOR WHITENING will take out the yellow, you may still have the appearance of a whiter grey color.  Another option to consider would be porcelain veneers  but to mask the grey they will need to add some opaque as the grey can show through. Choose your dentist carefully for any cosmetic work. Seek out a dentist that specializes in smile restoration.

Why is teeth whitening so popular these days?

There are various reasons teeth whitening has become popular nowadays. They include;
I. Professional teeth whitening and bleaching services are now readily available. Besides, now more than ever, there are more dental professionals in the cosmetic dentistry industry today, so teeth whitening and bleaching services are now reasonably priced and affordable to many individuals.

II. The teeth whitening process involves a painless and quick procedure. Take the in-office teeth bleaching procedure for instance. The entire procedure takes less than an hour, and an individual regains their naturally white smile.

III. Some teeth-whitening processes like the in-office procedures are very effective and have long-term whitening results at affordable costs. Professional whitening appropriately done can leave you a great smile for very long. In fact, reports suggest that professional in-office teeth bleaching can make your teeth stay white for several months to a year after the procedure.

IV. No one wants discolored or stained teeth. Everyone wants to have sparkling white teeth. Having stained or yellow teeth does not look very nice. Studies show that having stained or discolored teeth can result in self-confidence issues. And now that teeth whitening provides individuals an effective way to regain a confident smile, many people are turning to it.

“Okay so my teeth are white now. How do I keep them this way?”

Brush you teeth twice a day with a desensitizing toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate and fluoride to decrease tooth sensitivity while you whiten.

There is no denying that a healthy smile can significantly benefit your life, by boosting your self-confidence and teeth bleaching and whitening allows you to achieve the results you desire. Have a question or want to add to our article? Feel free to comment below!