The Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening

The war on white teeth has begun. According to HowStuffWorks.com, "An estimated ten million Americans will spend a whopping 1.7 billion dollars on tooth whitening products and services this year." In a world where whitening products are flying off the shelves, it is easy to see why many are turning to professionals to remove discoloration and keep teeth looking better than ever.

More and more studies are showing that whitening teeth is both effective and safe. However, because of the vast amount of products on the market today, The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs (ADA) recommends that if you choose to whiten your teeth you should only do so after a consultation with a dentist.

Whitening teeth can mean anything from chemical whitening and mild acid whiting, to abrasive teeth brightening and laser teeth whitening. All of these techniques are utilized by professionals to get patients' teeth white and shinning bright.

Using a number of techniques, bright white teeth are easily obtained. Britesmile Teeth Whitening, for example, is an in-office bleaching system that typically takes only one office visit to complete. Laser bleaching also takes only one office visit, but can be a bit more expensive. An in-home procedure that is quite popular and low cost, but more time consuming, is the Custom fit tray bleaching. Teeth whiten over time after they are fixed with a custom fitted tray filled with bleaching gel.

Although none of these procedures are permanent, certain procedures can last up to two years. Using follow-up consultations with a professional, whitening results can be maximized and maintained for longer time periods. The treatments available in a dentist's office are far more effective than over the counter whiteners. They are usually about 10 times stronger than commercial products, and will whiten your teeth up to 10 times as much towards pure white.

Professional teeth whitening is not "new". Many of these treatments have always been available, but successful marketing campaigns and the strong push towards the Hollywood ideal of perfection in advertisement sectors have brought them into the spotlight.

Teeth whitening will immediately improve your appearance and self-confidence. Many people believe that a whiter smile minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, thereby making the person appear younger and more energetic. There is scientific evidence that a great smile puts people at ease; and a great smile gives the appearance of a friendly, confident individual. According to a survey by Forbes magazine, three out of four people believe that a great smile will increase the chances of getting a promotion or getting a new job. Consult a cosmetic dentist today to discuss what whitening treatment is best for your specific needs.

by Sara Goldstein