Archive: ‘Teeth Whitening’ Category

Your Baby And Teething

No comments April 12th, 2011

The appearance of your baby’s first tooth is a major milestone in her development, and one that will likely see you sharing photographs with family, friends, and anyone else who may happen by! Unfortunately though, the arrival doesn’t always go smoothly – it can be a testing time for both you and your baby, as there will inevitably be some discomfort involved, leading to yet more sleepless nights and grizzled behaviour.

There are usually some warning signs that a tooth is on its way, and these can include an increase in salivation or drooling, an intensified tendency for your baby to bite down on toys (or even people!), flushed cheeks and swollen gums, and a general malaise shown through loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and irritability.

Many parents will tell you that teething is often accompanied by other problems such as stomach upsets or colds, although most medical experts say that there is no real connection, and that young children are more or less constantly fighting off one bug or another, and so any signs of illness appearing together with teething are probably just coincidences.

Teething generally starts at around 6 months, although as with all things related to babies and kids your own experience may vary. Indeed, a very few babies will be born sporting a tooth or two, while some may not see their first tooth emerge until their first birthday or even later. Whenever it starts, your baby will normally have a complete set of teeth by their third birthday, and these milk teeth will last until around the age of six, when they will begin to be replaced by adult teeth.

Although some infants sail through the whole teething process with little difficulty, for others it can be a real ordeal. Unfortunately there’s nothing we as parents can do to speed the growth, but there are ways to relieve the discomfort a little.

The most traditional remedy for teething pain is a rubber biting ring, which works with your baby’s natural inclination to bite down on things. A soft rubber ring provides a safe outlet for this urge, and keeping the ring in the refrigerator when not in use will also provide a cooling sensation.

Teething gel can also be applied to the gums, which can provide comfort, and can be smeared onto a dummy or pacifier if the biting reflex means direct application to the gums is risky for the parent!

Teething powders are also available, which consist of a sachet of crystals which you can pour into your baby’s mouth, and seem to prove more effective than gels with some children.

Finally, you may find yourself having to resort to pain relief medication if the problem is severe. Be certain to use a medicine specifically formulated for babies of your child’s age, and stick to the recommended dosage. Medicine which also induces drowsiness, such as anti-fever preparations, can also be very useful – especially at bed time.

Hopefully your own baby will not have too much difficulty developing a healthy toothy grin, but if you’re finding teething is a problem, then remember that it doesn’t last forever, and keep counting the teeth as they arrive!

You Don’t Need To Be a chemist To Understand Carbamide Peroxide For Teeth Whitening

No comments April 12th, 2011

Peroxide, that bubbly stuff used by doctors and moms to clean scrapes for years is the base chemical for this teeth whitening agent. Surprise!

Carbamide peroxide and /or Hydrogen peroxide are the two main key chemical ingredients used to whiten teeth. These are found in almost all of the tooth bleaching kits and teeth whitening products available today. The main difference between many of these products is the strength of the Carbamide peroxide gel. A general rule is that the higher the strength, the faster the results…and the greater the risks of gum damage.

Most professional whitening /bleaching gels use only a couple of different chemicals to whiten teeth: Carbamide peroxide, used for a few hours to overnight, or Hydrogen peroxide usually used for about 30 minutes a couple of times a day.
Carbamide peroxide is actually a lower strength product that can limit the irritating effects of stronger peroxide chemicals.

Still, Carbamide peroxide gels come in a variety of strengths. These range from a very safe 10% to the more typical 16 and 20-22% strengths. There’s also even stronger gels available that claim upwards of a 30%+ strength level. These can and will discolor your mouth soft tissue if the gel comes in contact with it for any length of time.

These stronger peroxide gels should probably only be considered if done by a dentist or dental professional. A dentist can make certain the material is only applied to teeth surfaces and can better protect the gums and soft tissue in your mouth. Higher strength products also are the reason why a dentist can achieve faster, though much more expensive results sooner. Although you may be tempted to get the highest strength available, the higher the potency, the higher the risk of problems. For best home teeth bleaching results, use the lower or middle range of Carbamide Peroxide strengths.

Professional Teeth Whitening kits bleach teeth for thousands of people every year without major problems. This doesn’t mean that using teeth bleaching products are completely free of any problems even if used incorrectly however. Tooth sensitivity, gum discoloration and a poor teeth whitening job can result if Carbamide peroxide gels aren’t used as directed.

Peroxide and it’s counterpart, Carbamide Peroxide, are bleaching chemicals. Specifically they’re known as oxidizing agents. Although you may be more aware of basic chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide or peroxide bleaches are also actually another well used and trusted bleaching agent in many industries. Color safe bleaches and even the now popular “Oxy-Clean” type bleaches are really oxygenating or an oxidizing bleach. To be even more clear, they’re selling bleach with an oxidizing agent, and most probably it’s a compound that includes peroxide in some strength.

Did you know that bleach doesn’t really get out stains? Depending on the bleaching chemical used, it actually adds oxygen (oxidizing) to a stain or removes or (reduces) oxygen to the stain. Chlorine bleach by the way is considered a reducing agent that removes oxygen from stains. Depending on the type of stain, it simply disappears when the right bleaching product is applied.

So Carbamide Peroxide is an oxidizing agent that bleaches or whitens your teeth by adding oxygen molecules to the stains. Remember that Carbamide Peroxide is almost the same product as that brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide moms have used for decades to clean cuts and scrapes on children. When used as directed, it’s a safe and effective tooth whitening product that can make your smile look it’s best.

Yellow Teeth – Need For A Makeover

No comments April 12th, 2011

Yellow teeth or cavities in your teeth may not be such an appealing thing if you happen to smile to a person; you have met for the first time. It may be considered bad oral hygiene than anything else. With the arrival of new toothpaste which only claim to drive away all your cavities with no results. Many happen to go to the dentist to get this rectified which may cost a bomb and this can be avoided if go to the root of the problem.

It can be stated as one of the most common problems affecting people nowadays. The yellowing of ones teeth can be sign of lack of dental hygiene. This dental plaque is caused mainly due to the yellowish biofilm which are formed on the teeth. If it is not cleaned properly everyday it can lead to other teeth problems like cavities and inflammation of gums.

Some of the common reasons which we can identify for having yellow teeth is excessive consumption of coffee, tea. Smoking and consumption of foods can deteriorate your teeth. The food which we eat and don’t even bother to clean them after eating is one of the major causes of such problem.

Not following the hot and cold cycles which contracts and expands when you eat or drink something cold or hot. This expansion and contraction helps to cause stains as it gets through the teeth. Foods which are very acidic also create stains and yellowing of the teeth.

With the increasing age we tend to lack the same ability to fight the cavities and other bacterial attacks on our teeth. The routine oral hygiene also gets affected due to increasing age. As the stain remains on our teeth with less dental hygiene it tends to get much darker and very hard to remove.

Some of the common remedies which we can use to avoid yellow stains are:

-A good oral hygiene
-Rinsing after every meal
-Polishing it, by use of baking soda
-Bleaching it, by use of natures very own bleach – lime
-Flossing your teeth regularly
-Avoiding starch and sugar
-Switch to vegetable which will help your teeth
-A mixture of salt and finely powdered rind of lime can be used as an excellent toothpaste
-Drink plenty of water
-Avoid tobacco
-Avoid smoking
-Chewing sugar-free gums helps
-Adding a drop of clove oil to your toothpaste before brushing your teeth can do wonders to your teeth

Before acting upon these remedies please check if you are allergic to any of these food products to avoid further complication. The site or the writer is not responsible for the decisions taken by the reader.

Why Go For Teeth Whitening?

No comments April 12th, 2011

People are generally vain in nature and so they continuously look for ways to improve their appearances as they grow old. While other people go for physical improvements like liposuction, nose lift and face lift, there are people who are more concerned with keeping their pearly whites whiter than ever.

As people grow older their teeth grow darker due to their lifestyle and personal circumstances. A person’s teeth become darker through continuous exposure to staining drinks life coffee and colas and darkening substances like tar from cigarettes.

There are toothpastes that can whiten teeth and remove stains that have settled on the outer layer of the teeth but this will not solve real stains of the teeth. This is the reason why people resort to having their teeth bleached.

A tooth is bleached through the application of a gel containing carbamide peroxide. While this substance enters the teeth enamel and makes it lighter, it will not have the same effect on fillings or tooth crowns.

Teeth bleaching can be expensive and some dentists charge a minimum of $400 for the treatment. However, most people who have undergone teeth bleaching find it worth their while and their dollars. However, there are teeth bleaching substances which are directly sold through the internet. Buying these products is generally cheaper than going to the dentist since you are no longer charged the dentist fee and other overhead, just the price of the teeth whitening.

There is a tooth whitening product that comes in plastic strips and is applied by just placing the strips on the tooth area. Other teeth whitening products require the use of a tray to keep the gel fastened on the teeth while it is being bleached. Tooth whitening products for sale over the net comes with a detailed instruction book.

Aside from being expensive, whitening one’s teeth is not a one-time thing because it is not guaranteed to last long. People who continue with a lifestyle filled with staining agents like coffee, cigarette and wine will definitely need to whiten their teeth after a certain period.

Teeth whitening agents are generally safe but some causes the teeth to be more sensitive to changes in temperature. Almost everyone who undergoes teeth whitening will notice the difference and improvement in their pearly whites, the degree of whitening however depends on the amount of time the gel is placed on their teeth. Home-based whitening usually requires a minimum of two hours but if you require a whitening degree that is several shades lighter than your tooth color, then the dentist may require you to keep them overnight.

While teeth whitening can cause some discomfort, the effects can boost a person’s market value. After teeth whitening, you now have a more brilliant smile which can make you more attractive and younger looking.

White teeth for a warm summer

No comments April 12th, 2011

When the sun is shining we feel great about ourselves and in the UK this is something we definitely we do not take for granted.

Everyday diets that include smoking, coffee, tea, cola, curry, blackcurrant, gravy and much more compound the reasons why more and more people are getting stained teeth.

Having bright white teeth can only help your smile and give you the confidence opposed to exposing your teeth which are dull and stained. The good news there is plenty of inexpensive solutions to get back your white teeth and regain your pride.

So many people are embarrassed to let their smiles show and this can lead to loss of self confidence. Bright smiles often become a memory of the past due to age, coffee, or tea. However, there are many teeth whitening techniques available today to bring back your pearly whites and regain your smile.

Over time our teeth tend to become discolored or stained. Whether this is from smoking, coffee, or any other foods, a beautiful smile could be closer than you think. Teeth whitening is a very simple treatment that can be completed in less than one hour.
There are many other options available to people looking for a quick way to brighten their smile, but few treatments produce the results seen in laser teeth whitening. Over the counter teeth whitening kits are generally considered safe, although they can cause sensitivity. While laser teeth whitening produces instant results, products you buy over the counter generally take longer and don’t produce the same level of whitening. A beautiful smile is a thing that most people remember as it catches their eye.

Ever since the mirror was first invented, which gave man the opportunity to take a look at his eroding teeth, people have become obsessed with having whiter teeth. Over the period of the last century more and more dental products have begun to hit the market and it is always improving. There are many teeth whitening products out there on the market now yet some of them are completely useless.

The main aim of teeth whitening is to make your teeth whiter. Best teeth whitening method not only can whiten your teeth, but also making them healthier than before. Laser tooth whitening is the best system for those who have darker stains.Laser teeth whitening is not the only treatment available to get your teeth whitened as many other treatments are becoming available like the diy home strips, drops, dentist treatments and teeth whitening toothpastes so customers have plenty of choice.

In the UK there are plenty of professionals who can offer advice on the best way to remove those yellow stains. Before any teeth whitening treatment is undertaken it is best to seek advice from your dentist to undertake any work that may be required prior to having your teeth whitened.

Which Teeth Whitening System Is Right For You?

No comments April 12th, 2011

Modern dentistry has improved and changed a great amount in the last ten to twenty years, and this has led to new treatments being available to everyone, rather than just the few rich people who could afford it. People are visiting dentists for ‘cosmetic’ dental treatment in the same way that they would visit a cosmetic surgeon to have their body altered or enhanced.

With more and more celebrities having cosmetic dental treatments and exhibiting perfect teeth in magazines and on television, tooth whitening is one of the dental treatments that have soared in popularity for people young and old. Other treatments include implants, veneers, and alteration of the gum line. This article looks at the different types of teeth whitening systems and will help you assess which is best for you.

There are various teeth whitening systems available, and they range from the very expensive to the relatively cheap and accessible. All teeth whitening systems fall into two main categories – those that must be carried out by a professional such as a dentist, and those that can be done at home. Home treatments are often cheaper, but can be less effective and can even cause lasting damage if applied incorrectly.

The key to selecting which tooth whitening systems is appropriate for you is to ask yourself the following questions:

Am I good at following written instructions?
What is my budget for this treatment?
Am I looking for immediate results or a course of treatment?
Am I comfortable visiting a dentist?
Do I have minor or extensive tooth staining?

Home tooth whitening systems are cheaper, but they normally use a peroxide bleach based formula and so the instructions that come with them must be followed to the letter. Otherwise, the results may not be what you expected, and the sensitivity of the teeth can be increased.

However, if you are confident about applying the treatment yourself and are prepared to finish the whole treatment without expecting instant results, home teeth whitening systems can be a cost effective way to achieve that celebrity look.

Salon or dentist based teeth whitening systems are more expensive, but can have longer lasting and more immediate effects. Dentists use similar peroxide based formulas to the home systems, but the effect is enhanced by the use of a laser. Laser whitening can make your teeth 5-6 shades lighter on the first visit by activating crystals inside a gel, but if you have extreme discoloration you may need to go back more than once.

The risks of laser teeth whitening are not great, with the most common side effect reported being increased sensitivity to hot and cold. Rubber dams are used to protect the gums when bleach based formulas are being used, and this ensures the gums are protected from the effects of the tooth whitening system.

Modern lifestyles can have a bad effect on our teeth, with drinks like coffee, tea and red wine causing staining and discoloration. Teeth whitening systems are a way to instantly reverse the effects of our lifestyle, but are no substitute for regular brushing and flossing.

What You Should Know About Teeth Whitening

No comments April 12th, 2011

So what is teeth whitening really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about teeth whitening–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

Tooth bleaching, also known as teeth whitening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Many people consider white teeth to be an attractive feature of a smile. A child’s deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often increase in value–that is to say, they become darker. This darkening is due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco.

As white teeth are subconsciously associated with youth, they have become desirable. This has been made more apparent with the spread of American culture worldwide, where an especially white smile is coined a “Hollywood smile.” The procedure to bleach teeth uses oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidising agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidises interprismatic stain deposits; over a period of time, the dentine layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached.

There are two main methods of bleaching. The first involves applying a high concentration of oxidising agent for a short period of time, which is the so-called office bleach. This produces quick results but risks chemical burns to the soft tissues. Therefore, most in-office bleaching procedures use a light-cured protective layer that is carefully painted on the gums and papilla (the tips of the gums between the teeth). The bleaching agent is either carbamide peroxide, which breaks down in the mouth to form hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide itself. The bleaching gel typically contains up to 35% hydrogen peroxide equivalent.

The alternative method involves using a thin mouthguard or strip to hold a low concentration of oxidising agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days. This is known as take-home or over-the-counter bleaching. This is a slower process but has fewer risks to the soft tissues. The bleaching agent is typically less than 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent.

A typical course of bleaching can produce dramatic improvements in the cosmetic appearance of most stained teeth; however, some stains do not respond to bleaching. Tetracycline staining may require prolonged bleaching, as it takes longer for the bleach to reach the dentine layer. White-spot decalcifications may also be highlighted and become more noticeable.

Recently, efforts have been made to accelerate the bleaching process by the use of light. Studies have shown varying results as to the efficacy of light-activated bleaching.

Side effects of tooth bleaching include chemical burns (if a high-concentration oxidizing agent contacts unprotected tissues, which may bleach or discolor mucous membranes), sensitive teeth, and overbleaching (known in the profession as “fridge-door teeth”). Rebound, or teeth losing the bleached effect and darkening, is also an issue, with some studies showing the rebound effect over 30 days. A recent study by Kugel et al has shown that as much as 4 shades of lightness can be lost over 30 days with light-activated/office bleaching.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

What You Got To Know About Teeth Whitening

No comments April 12th, 2011

When it comes to teeth whitening treatments, you have to know the options available to you – actually, it’s just a choice between the blue and the red pill. I’m very fond of Matrix lines so simply bear with me, okay? Anyway, going back to teeth whitening treatments, there are presently two types of teeth whitening treatments that are open to you.

Actually, the difference lies more on the procedure rather than the treatment itself. And I’ll let you find out for yourself as you read the following paragraphs.

Over The Counter Teeth Whitening Treatments
If you’re saving up for a lot of expenses that usually comes at the end of the month – read: utility bills, credit card payments, mortgage payments and the likes – then maybe, you just have to do with over the counter teeth whitening treatments. But don’t be so glum because it’s not that bad.

The main difference between over the counter teeth whitening treatments and the other is just that in this case, you’ll be the one wearing the white coat. But hey, if you’ve got faith in your abilities, there’s nothing wrong with that, right? And at least you’ll be able to save on money and time. Professional teeth whitening treatment could take forever. You know how some dentists are, ever the perfectionists, wanting to whiten everything, even the deepest recesses of your teeth, something that not even your husband or wife would be able to notice.

There are two primary types of over the counter teeth whitening treatments and these are bleaching solutions and whitening toothpastes. And because this type of teeth whitening treatment is also known as do-it-yourself and at home teeth whitening treatment, understand that it’s all up to you how the procedure goes. If in doubt of your capabilities, you could always ask for your friend’s help. Anyway, it’s just the measurements that matter most so just remember that using too little of the whitening product is infinitely better than using too much which could lead to unwanted complications.

Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
But let’s just say that you’re blessed in terms of finances and your only problem in life is your very yellow teeth. Right on. There’s only one thing to do then – and that’s not to mess anymore with your teeth and let a professional handle the problem. Let them do what they do best and all you have to do is sit back, open your mouth, relax and wait for the mirror to show you your new shiny white teeth.

UK Warns Against Teeth Whitening

No comments April 12th, 2011

UK Warns Against Teeth Whitening

Citizens of the United Kingdom are being warned about some of the teeth whitening methods that are offered to them at a discount price. None of them have to do with a professional dentist or cosmetic dentist doing the teeth whitening procedure, rather they are warning about certain products and methods used by non professionals that can harm not only your teeth but the patient as well.

What is the Bleaching Agent in Question?

The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is worried about a bleaching agent that is harmful to those that use it. It is said that this bleach whitening method can harm tooth enamel. The substance in question is called chlorine dioxide. It is typically used to bleach water and is said to be extremely acidic.

They are also advising against using hydrogen peroxide that has strength over the legal limit as well. Both of these teeth whitening agents have the capacity to ruin the enamel of one’s teeth if not worse consequences instead of doing the job that was expected.

Don’t Go To Beauty Salon to Have Teeth Whitening Performed

Also worrisome to the Academy are beauty salons that are offering cheap teeth whitening procedures to their customers. The staff hired to do the teeth whitening is often untrained and do not check for pre-existing dental problems such as gum disease or gingivitis. The mouth can suffer from burns, especially the soft tissue of the cheeks if not applied correctly and in the right doses. This is against the law in the United Kingdom and if you should see a salon offering teeth whitening services without a cosmetic dentist on staff you are advised to report them immediately.

Only dentists are qualified to carry out teeth whitening procedures that involve bleaching agents, and anyone that is not a trained, accredited dentist is breaking the law if they are performing teeth whitening procedures on the unsuspecting public.

Three clinics that have been sited for doing illegal teeth whitening were using chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide that were above the legal limits. These clinics also advertised teeth whitening using a laser and their method was said to have no effect on discolored or yellow teeth at all.

These three clinics are just a few of the seventy other venues that are currently under investigation by the General Dental Council. Though the prices they offer are quite attractive, the person doing the procedure often has little or no training and you just might end up with chemical burns in your mouth or looking worse than you did when you walked in.

Is Teeth Whitening Unsafe?

There are a myriad of people that want to have their teeth whitened, and when it is done with the proper chemicals by a trained professional results can be dramatic. Most teeth whitening procedures are done at a dentist’s office and results can be seen after just one treatment.

It is also the safest way to get your teeth whitened as you can be assured that the person doing the procedure is licensed and knows what they are doing. Your teeth are important, and with the rise in the number of people desiring to have teeth whitening procedures performed, it is more important than ever that the public is made aware of dangerous practices by other, non trained individuals offering a bargain for an otherwise expensive procedure.

So if you really want a whiter and brighter smile, compare prices from a real dentist that is a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry so you can be sure that the person doing this potentially unsafe procedure is using proper methods and chemicals in order for your teeth to shine.

Types Of Dental Teeth Fractures

No comments April 12th, 2011

Fractures are a common thing in the world of dentistry. Fractures or cracks occur with all ages, although they are more present in those above the age of 25. They can be very painful, hard to diagnose, yet sometimes easy to treat. There are several types of fractures, which we will look at below.

The first type of crack is known as an oblique supragingival fracture. This fracture is found above the gums, and normally happens when you bite down too hard on something. Normally, this fracture doesn’t involve the nerve. Once the fractured area of the tooth breaks off, the pain will go away. Although the exposed dentin may cause you some pain, you can visit the dentist and have it repaired. If the fracture is large, you may need to have a crown placed on the tooth to prevent further fractures from occurring in that tooth.

The second type of crack exceeds way below the gum line, and is known as an oblique subgingival fracture. Once the fractured piece of tooth breaks off, it normally remains attached to the gums and cause result in terrible pain until you get it removed. Once you have had the piece of tooth removed from the gums, the tooth will be similar to the supragingival fracture. It normally doesn’t affect the nerves, although as a result of the tooth area being lost, you may need to have a root canal to clean out the tooth before having a crown put on it.

The seriousness of this fracture depends on how far it has went beyond the gum line. If it has made it’s way deep into the gum line, you may not be able to save the tooth. The crack can be present for many years, before you start to feel any pain. To be on the safe side, you should go to your regular checkups with your dentist, as he can check for cracks and other problems.

The oblique root fracture is next, although it doesn’t involve the tooth crown at all. This type of fracture is almost always found below the gums, normally under the bone. If a root fracture is found near the crown of the tooth, it will normally prove to be fatal. Sometimes, you can save the tooth with a root canal, even though it is normally lost later on due to an abscess of the bone that surrounds the fracture.

The last type of fracture is the most difficult to deal with. Vertical apical root fractures occur with the tip of the root, and can cause you severe to intense pain, even if you’ve had the nerve removed with a root canal. Even though the nerve may not be present, vertical apical root fractures cause a lot of pain, which occurs in the tooth.

Normally, vertical apical fractures will cause you more pain than any other type of fracture. The resulting pain comes from the fragments putting pressure on the bone, causing the fractured pieces to strain. Just about the only way to get relief from this type of fracture is to get a root canal, as it will ease the pain and get the dead pulp out of the tooth that’s affected with the fracture.

Even though fractures are very common and very painful, you should never put off going to the dentist. Fractures can become more and more serious if you don’t do something about them, which is why you should never hesitate to go to the dentist. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the problem, and fix it before it has the chance to get any worse.