Teeth Whitening Tooth Bleaching & Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Tooth whitening is a common practice in general dentistry. Many people believe that white teeth are the greatest contribution to a perfect smile. As a person ages, teeth often become darker and stained. This is due to many factors including a change in the mineral structure of the tooth or stains such as coffee and tobacco. White teeth are now becoming more desirable with the spread of American culture worldwide. White teeth are often associated with 'Hollywood smiles'.

There are two popular methods of bleaching teeth. One is called the 'office bleach' which applies a high concentration of oxidizing agents for a short period of time. This procedure generally yields fast results, but can sometimes risk chemical burns. To prevent the risk of burns, the office generally uses a light-cured protective lawyer painted on the gums.

Another popular method of teeth bleaching requires the patient to use a mouthguard or strip to hold the oxidizing agent along the teeth for several hours a day. This can range from a period of 4 - 15 days and can be performed in the courtesy of your own home. This process is slower, but can still have the same risk to the gums.

Discover how a healthy smile can improve your lifestyle by whitening your teeth. Many people never realize how simple and affordable it really is.