Are You Using The Right Tooth Whitening Gel Product?

Are You Using The Right Tooth Whitening Gel Product?
by Belinda Sinclair

The use of a tooth whitening gel to whiten one's teeth and improve one's personal image has become a common practice as more and more people take advantage of home teeth whitening products. Countless whitening kits flood the consumer market today making it easier to pursue whitening at home. The question is: are they reliable? How can you know if a certain whitening gel is safe and effective to use?
Using A Tooth Whitening Gel - What Products Are Available?
There are different kinds of gels available. Not all of them are the same; their strengths and applications vary. Home tooth whitening gels have been in use for more than a decade now but only recently have they experienced a boom in popularity - probably because of the internet and aggressive marketing. Among the most popular brands are those by Proctor & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive.
Some gels can be applied like toothpaste, like Colgate's Total Advanced Fresh Gel which is designed to remove stains for as long as it is in contact with the teeth. This kind of tooth whitening gel, however, is often criticized for being inferior in effectiveness because it's virtually impossible to keep a significant amount of gel on your teeth after brushing (after rinsing there's not much left).
Other gels are used in conjunction with a tooth whitening tray. Some trays are generic in nature; one-size-fits-all if you will. However, their effectiveness is often questioned as not everyone's dental structure is the same. Other companies offer custom made trays which are infinitely better than generic trays. The idea is to fill the trays with tooth whitening gel and then fit them on one's teeth while sleeping. That way the gels get to stay longer on one's teeth and make for a more effective whitening process.
Other gels are applied via strips. The strips are coated with a tooth whitening gel and are designed to be worn over the teeth. They are effective whiteners; however, the chief complaint against strips is that they often leave striping marks. Because strips do not perfectly cover the teeth, discolored nooks and crannies remain after an application.
Then you have a tooth whitening gel that is painted onto teeth. Like strips and teeth trays, paints can be used overnight for maximum effectiveness. The only drawback is that you can't close your mouth until the tooth whitening gel has dried on your teeth (anywhere between 15-25 minutes).
Lastly, we have dentists who offer professional tooth whitening procedures that often entail a few trips to a clinic as well as hundreds of dollars in fees. It's usually worth it though; dentists use a higher concentration of bleaching agent in their tooth whitening gel and sometimes a laser to speed up the whitening process. The effects are immediate and some people prefer going to a professional rather than taking the DIY route.
Using A Tooth Whitening Gel - What's Carbamide Peroxide?
Carbamide peroxide is a bleaching agent commonly used in dentistry. Also known as urea peroxide, it is composed of hydrogen peroxide compounded with urea. The concentration usually employed for dentist-based tooth whitening is 22%. A home-based tooth whitening gel has a much less concentration, ranging between 10-15%.
Dosages above 35% will cause irritation and burning to the skin, eyes, and gums.
Some people think that carbamide peroxide is somehow superior to hydrogen peroxide (or vice versa). This is not true. Both bleaches are equally powerful and will offer virtually similar effects when employed at similar concentrations.
Using A Tooth Whitening Gel - Are There Side Effects?
There are generally no adverse side effects because most carbamide peroxide formulations are never higher than 22%. However, it is common to feel a heightened sensitivity after a good bleaching, especially when a wave of cool air hits your teeth. This can be uncomfortable but is temporary and for the majority of people, bearable.
Using A Tooth Whitening Gel - How Do You Choose The Right Product?
There isn't really a "best" tooth whitening kit - each one has its advantages and disadvantages. You have to choose a tooth whitening gel and system based on your lifestyle, expectations, dedication to the whitening process, and budget. Tooth trays are generally considered to be the most superior of home-based whitening products. Then again, some people prefer to use strips which are less cumbersome. It really is down to you as you weigh the tooth whitening cost as well as the pros and cons of each system. That's the best tooth whitening tip we can give you.

About the Author
Belinda Sinclair empowers men and women to increase their Wow Factor through image makeovers. Join NovaWhite's WhiteningClub at http://whiteningclub.novawhite.com/?source=is6 and protect your new white smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits

Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits
by Sara Goldstein

If you've never considered cosmetic dentistry before, you may want to think about all the benefits this type of dentistry may be able to give you. Cosmetic dentistry has helped many people feel better about themselves and their smiles.
What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do for You?
Some people are afraid to smile too widely. Tooth defects such as discoloration, crookedness, misalignment, gaps, and chips cause them to hide their smiles in embarrassment, which also hides their personality.
Rather than hiding, why not talk to a cosmetic dentist to see how he or she could improve your smile? Cosmetic dentistry procedures can transform an embarrassing smile into one that you're proud to show off to everyone, including cameras.
Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Tooth whitening - If your teeth are discolored and unappealing to others, consider having them whitened. There are laser-whitening procedures available through cosmetic dentists, which will give you a bright, white smile in about an hour. Or you can do it at home at your leisure, with a custom-made tray and professional-strength whitening gel from your cosmetic dentist.
Dental bonding - Worn, small teeth can be built into attractive, natural looking teeth that match the size of their neighbors.
Porcelain veneers - If your smile has small gaps in it, your cosmetic dentist can affix very natural-looking veneers, sized and shaped so as to close that gap.
Dental implants - If you have any teeth missing altogether, an implant with a porcelain crown can fill that space so that nobody will be able to tell the crown from the natural teeth.
Invisalign - If your teeth are misaligned and crowded, you could be a candidate for the clear aligners known as Invisalign, which allow you to avoid wearing braces. Just swap out your current set of aligners every two weeks for the next set, and visit your cosmetic dentist periodically for checks on your progress.
White fillings - If you have any old metal fillings, they can be replaced with pearly white porcelain fillings, so that nobody will know you ever had any fillings done at all.
After Your Procedures
After your cosmetic dentistry procedures, you'll find that you no longer feel like hiding your smile. You'll feel more relaxed when going out with friends and meeting new people and more confident at work.
Once you have the smile you've always dreamed of, you'll be glad to show it to others. A smile, more than anything else, helps people see you as friendly, approachable, and appealing. You'll look better in photographs and your face will look more balanced and attractive.
Look into cosmetic dentistry if you're interested in improving your appearance and confidence. There are many procedures that can improve your smile and the way you look.
Joseph J. Henry, DDS, in Orange, California, has experience with all the above procedures. He can give you a complete smile makeover, custom-designed to enhance your entire face and personality.
About the Author
His website at http://www.drhenrysmiles.com/ has Before and After photographs of his actual patients, with their quoted statements about what was done by Dr. Henr

New Smile--New Confidence, Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

New Smile--New Confidence, Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
by Sara Goldstein

You may believe cosmetic dentistry procedures are only for the rich and famous. However, many procedures are much more affordable than you think; so thanks to great new financing options, you too can have the smile you've always imagined.
Celebrated Hollywood cosmetic dentist Dr. Sands explains how people from all walks of life can have the perfect smile:
"A lot of people think of cosmetic procedures as a luxury that only the very affluent can afford, but that's just not the case. While some cosmetic procedures can be slightly expensive, several others are extremely affordable--and all are well-worth the results."
"Most people's insurance will not cover cosmetic dentistry procedures, so for those procedures that you might require a little help to afford, there are several easy financing options. Companies like Capital One and GE Money have noticed the problem of affordable medical-care and have created special credit cards just for health related expenses. With quite a few finance plans to choose from, there's no reason to hesitate undergoing a smile-enhancing procedure."
CareCreditCareCredit offers no interest financing or low minimum monthly payments for your cosmetic dentistry procedure. There are no up-front costs, no annual fees and no pre-payment penalties. The simple, three-step application process and instant approval, means that your cosmetic dental financing will be arranged in just minutes. CareCredit offers no interest on payment plans up to 18 months and low monthly payments on plans up to 60 months. Since CareCredit is a GE Money Company with a 20-year track record, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. CareCredit can be used at any of the 75,000 participating healthcare practices nationwide.
PulseCardEndorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, the Academy of General Dentists, the Academy of Family Practitioners and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, PulseCard is the only national credit card created solely to pay for health care related items. The PulseCard credit card allows you to keep all your dental expenses on one statement and gives you a 2% rebate on all purchases. The approval rate for patient financing from PulseCard is 40%. The current APR is prime +9.9%.
Capital One Healthcare Finance (Dental Fee Plan) Along with Care Credit, Capital One Healthcare Finance (previously known as Dental Fee Plan) is considered an industry leader in cosmetic dentistry financing. Capital One Healthcare Finance makes cosmetic dental procedures affordable for any budget. Capital One Healthcare Finance can help to pay for procedure costing anywhere from $300 to $25,000. Low, fixed-rate installment loans and interest-free loans are available.
PFS Patient FinancingPFS Financing offers loans and lines of credit up to $25,000 for your cosmetic dentistry procedures. You can apply online, ask your cosmetic dentist for an application, or call PFS Financing at 888-737-3679.The application process is simple and easy and an approval is usually be provided in minutes. Monthly payments can be quite low, with the number of payments usually falling in the 24-84 month range. The interest rate will depend on your credit score.
One of these financing options may be the ticket to a brighter you. If you have dreamed about correcting your smile with porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, or any other great cosmetic dentistry procedure, but always worried about the cost of such procedures, you need worry no more. Visit the websites of these financial service companies for more information, and make sure to ask your cosmetic dentist which plans are accepted in the office.

About the Author
Please click here for more information about patient financing for cosmetic dentistry in the Beverly Hills/Los Angeles, California area.

Teeth Whitening: Common Treatments For An Uncommonly Brighter Smile

Teeth Whitening: Common Treatments For An Uncommonly Brighter Smile
by Anna Nissic

Teeth whitening has become a trendy subject for many Americans today and is an extremely popular and safe type of cosmetic dentistry. Whiteners are ideal for individuals who have healthy gums and healthy teeth with no fillings. Teeth whitening techniques have been used by dentists for decades to give patients fast results for teeth that are stained and discolored. Dentists offer a variety of options for whitening teeth during a single office visit. There are also natural whitening products and at-home kits available on the market.
Whitening Teeth Naturally
Many people prefer to avoid the use of chemicals for whitening their teeth by utilizing products and techniques for natural teeth whitening. Techniques which require herbs and other natural products have been used for centuries, long before man-made products became available on the market. Although natural products may not work as quickly as chemically based products, they are far more beneficial than some of the chemical products that may cause harm.
However, "natural" does not always mean "useful". For example, some people believe that acidic solutions like lemon juice are effective for cleaning their teeth. But, using acid can cause serious damage to both the teeth and gums. You may have to search the market thoroughly for natural products that are both safe and effective, but they can be found. Just be sure that these products don't include lemon juice or any other form of acid.
Whitening Teeth with Lasers
There are a variety of dental procedures available for whitening, the most popular being laser teeth whitening. Laser whitening is a fast, cost effective, and painless process which can make teeth up to 10 shades lighter in less than an hour. The procedure is quite simple. Most dentists will perform a traditional cleaning before beginning the laser treatment. The dentist then applies a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to the teeth and shines a laser to activate the solution. A reaction occurs in which the laser breaks down the hydrogen peroxide gel. This allows oxygen to enter the enamel and dentine of the tooth in order to bleach away discoloration. All this is effectively done without changing the structure of the tooth at all. This is perhaps the most effective teeth whitening solution available.
Whitening Teeth from Home
If you don't want to bother with making a trip to the dentist or waiting a long time for a natural product to work, then you may want to try using an at home teeth whitening system. These systems are available either from a dentist or from one of many retail outlets. They vary in quality from simple whitening toothpastes to more complex systems that include solutions and other paraphernalia. At home systems are less expensive than other teeth whitening options, but they typically aren't as long-lasting or effective as professional whitening.
Keep in mind that all teeth whitening techniques do not produce the same results on all types of discoloration. However, whitening does not have to be expensive or ineffective. Whether you choose natural methods, laser whitening, or an at home system, you are sure to find an option that works best for you.
About the Author
Anna Nissic has been in the dental field for many years and is very familiar with the common dental problems people have. She has wriiten many articles explaining common remedies for the teeth. You can find further teeth remedies at teeth whitening made easy .