Professional vs. Natural Teeth Whitening

Professional Teeth Whitening:

Professional teeth whitening delivers optimum whitening results in a short amount of time. Available under the supervision of a dentist, this method of tooth whitening is gaining popularity, despite the fact that it is considered the most expensive method of chemically whitening your teeth.
Yrnou may expect the following during your professional teeth whitening appointment:

• Teeth are polished with pumice, a grainy material used to remove any plaque on the surface of the tooth.

• Your mouth will be isolated with gauze to keep your teeth dry during the procedure.

• A barrier is placed along your gumline to protect it from the whitening solution.

• The teeth are then coated with the whitening solution on the front surface of the tooth. Your dentist may choose to use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent. Many whitening products require a curing light or laser to be used to add heat to the solution to activate the peroxide. It will then be left on the teeth for 30 to 60 minutes, or reapplied in specific increments of time for up to one hour, depending on the brand.

• Once the optimum shade has been reached, the teeth are rinsed with water and a fluoride application may be used to help ease the sensitivity some people experience with tooth whitening.

• You will be instructed to avoid foods and beverages that have a high level of pigment, such as coffee, tomato sauce or juice, yellow mustard, or red wine, and tobacco use for 24 hours after the procedure to allow the enamel pores to close to prevent re-staining.

Natural Teeth Whitening:
Broccoli- Forms an acid-resistant film on teeth that can help prevent enamel erosion.

Carrots- Full of Vitamin A which is absolutely necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. This and all crunchy vegetables also cleanse and stimulate your gums, making them healthy.

Celery- Activates saliva production, which assists in cleansing food particles from the teeth and dilutes sugars or acids in the mouth. Chewing celery also massages the gums.

Green Tea- Contains an antioxidant called catechin, which reduces bacteria growth that causes gingivitis.

Lemon- A natural “whitener” and assists with pH balance in the body.

Pineapple- Helps you to produce extra saliva. Combine that with citric acid and you have an all-natural bacteria fighting mouthwash. Also contains Vitamin C and the enzyme Bromelain, promoting a healing alkaline response in the mouth.

Sea Salt- Offers a blend of minerals needed to mineralize and strengthen teeth.

Sesame Seeds- These “little scrubbers” reduce plaque, and due to their calcium content provide a necessary mineral for teeth.

Strawberries- Great “scrubbers,” high in fiber and lots of Vitamin C, which is great for gum health.

This is not an all-inclusive list of every food that is great for your oral heath, but a listing of all the key “super-smile” ingredients. We all want to have that beautiful smile and finding out as much as we can about the processes that go along with dental health can only help us in the end. Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to learn enough about it to do it properly.