The terms bleaching and whitening are often used interchangeably for the same dental teeth whitening procedure, but there is a difference between the two. Bleaching applies to a situation when teeth can be made more white than their natural color. Whitening occurs when teeth color is improved from the removal of dirt or other debris from them such as when a person uses whitening toothpaste.
Professional whitening performed at a dental office is preferred by many people over store-bought whitening kits used at home. One reason for this is the stronger bleaching gel used at the dental office. Results can be seen much quicker than over the counter kits. There is less tooth sensitivity with professional whitening also. The only disadvantage to professional dental teeth whitening is the cost. It costs around $650 compared to $400 for professional kits used at home and up to $100 for whitening kits or strips purchased at stores such as Walmart or KMart.
Professional take-home whitening kits also provide better whitening results than those purchased over the counter. One reason for this is because the whitening trays used to put the bleach on the teeth are custom made, so the bleach stays on them better. A second reason is that the bleach is in a more concentrated form, so it can whiten the teeth better than a kit purchased at a store.
Dental teeth whitening at home has a few advantages over professional whitening. The first is that the results may last longer because the procedure can be performed on a regular basis. The second advantage is that people can do it at their own convenience and as often as they want. The third advantage is that over the counter whitening kits are very inexpensive compared to professional whitening.
There are a few minimal risks attributed to any dental teeth whitening procedure including teeth sensitivity, gum irritation and a condition called technicolor teeth. Technicolor teeth is the result of a person having crowns, porcelain veneers or other types of restoration work that does not respond to the whitening procedure.
People who should not attempt a dental teeth whitening procedure include:
1) children under age 16
2) those who already have sensitive teeth or allergies
3) those with dark stains on their teeth
4) pregnant women
5) those with any type of restoration work on their teeth
6) those with cavities, gum disease or worn enamel
7) those with improbable expectations of teeth whitening results
The main thing to remember about any type of dental teeth whitening system is that none of them have permanent results. Touch-ups could be needed as soon as six months to one year after the initial whitening procedure. The period of time between touch-ups depends on the bleaching system used, how long it was used, the type of stains on the teeth, and the condition of the teeth in general.
For further information regarding dental teeth whitening, please visit MyReviewsNow Online Shopping