There are now numerous options to fix, nip or tuck anything you might be dissatisfied with.  Cosmetic alterations and cosmetic surgery are one of the fastest growing fields today.  Americans are spending more and more money on fixing their appearance. And one of the areas they are spending the most money on is bleaching their teeth. The tooth whitening industry has seen a sharp rise in popularity and demand which has lasted through the past several years.  This has brought what was once a fairly minor branch of the cosmetic enhancement market into the spotlight all at once. This is a good thing for those who are interested in having their teeth whitened.  The technology and methods have advanced a great deal in recent years due to the increase in popular demand.  There are many techniques available for bleaching teeth.  They range all the way from expensive laser treatments administered in the dental chair to custom made trays and whitening strips that can be bought off a shelf at the local grocery teeth.  While everyone seems to want a brighter smile any consumer would be wise to study the pros and cons of teeth bleaching before making a final decision.  Here are a few-

Pros-

    It goes without saying that a whiter smile helps to improve appearance.  Beautiful white teeth seem to be an indication of beauty and signal a healthier lifestyle.
    People with a brighter smile seem to have more self confidence. They tend to smile more and create a great first impression.
    A whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of aging, making facial wrinkles less noticeable.  This gives the user a more energetic look and youthful appearance.
    Many studies report that people judge those with a bright smile as being friendlier.  They tend to get more attention which can be extremely helpful in situations like applying for a job.
    Compared to other dental procedures (veneers, crowns etc.) teeth bleaching and whitening is relatively inexpensive.
    In-office treatment is a fairly simple procedure that does not take a great deal of time or other commitment by the patient.
    Teeth whitening can be maintained fairly easily by using regular and consistent dental hygiene in conjunction with maintenance teeth whitening products.

Cons-

    There can be short term side effects to teeth bleaching.  This can be pain in the gums or teeth or increased sensitivity to cold.  This usually disappears when the treatment is discontinued.  The potential user should be evaluated for bleach sensitivity.
    While research does indicate that bleaching is highly effective it is not 100% effective for everyone.  Some studies put the success rate of bleaching at about 78% of users.  Bleaching may not be the best choice for those with serious teeth discoloration. Veneers or crowns should be considered for those with extreme problems of discoloration.
    Some people experience pain and discomfort if they choose the bleaching method which involves a mouth tray.  This too is usually a short-term problem.  The bleaching trays can be adjusted to the fit of the user's mouth.  This should help minimize or eliminate the problem of uncomfortable trays all together.
    Teeth whitening can be expensive for the average consumer.  The standard fee can be about $500 for teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures.  Laser whitening can easily run over $1000 dollars.  This may vary depending upon the area of the country you live in and the type of whitening treatment that you choose to do. Dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of any teeth whitening procedures.

Any consumer considering any teeth whitening or bleaching procedure would be wise to do their own research and consult a dental professional before making a final decision.

5 tips for choosing an off the shelf teeth whitening system

1. Budget: Believe it or not Americans pay close to $600 million a year for tooth whitening.  Dentists charge anywhere from $300- several thousand to get your teeth whitened, but that is not the only option you have. You can also get a white smile with an off the shelf tooth whitening system.  Some off the shelf tooth whitening kits start at as little as $15.  While results will vary, and the price often reflects the quality, your first tip is to choose the highest priced available within your budget. Or, if there are two similarly priced, choose the one with the highest recommendation.

2. Choose the right ingredients for your teeth: Most off the shelf whitening agents will use either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide bleach as their active ingredient.  Obviously, these bleaches are far less effective than what your dentist can use, but that is why they are more affordable.  However, if you have really gray or extremely stained teeth, an off the shelf whitening system will do little for you. At home tooth whitening kits are designed to work on yellowish teeth. So, make sure you choose something that will do you good, otherwise you are wasting money, you would be wise to spend extra and see a dentist for whitening then spend too little and get no result for your money.

3. Go with a reputable brand: Brands like Crest white strips, and Colgate whiteners will likely give you better results than an unknown. Plus, if you do not get good results, the company is far more willing to refund your money as they have a name and reputation to protect than a generic brand. So, go with the proven brands, and have the assurance that they would not be promoting a worthless product as much as they are.

4. Ask your dentist for recommendations: Your dentist should know the condition of your teeth, and your dentist is likely the best person to ask advice for whitening from. He or she will know if your stains are too severe to be affected by off the shelf whitening agents, and they may also be able to give you some tips to help your off the shelf whitening kit work better for you. So, ask. It can't hurt to ask.

5. Pick a tray form: While brush on and strip whitening applicators are less expensive, the downside is that they can leave splotches and miss the nooks and crannies in your teeth.  For most uniform whitening use an application where the whitening agent is put in a tray that forms around your teeth. Also, try to find one that allows you to form your own trays, not a one size fits all, this will help you to get a more unique whitening, and one that is best for your teeth.

No matter what off the shelf teeth whitening system you choose, it is important to realize whitening is not for everyone. So, do not use a tooth whitening system if you have gum irritation, or a toothache. It is also important that you do not use a tooth whitening product for more than 14 days without consulting a dental professional.

If you experience tooth sensitivity while using a whitening system, stop using the whitener and consult a dentist.

In today's appearance conscious attitude even your smile doesn't escape scrutiny.  Just a few years ago those with less than perfect and less than white teeth really had no options (beyond caps or false teeth) to improve their smile.  Thankfully that has changed with the innovative Zoom teeth whitening.  One of the first things that someone notices in another person is their smile.  Those with unattractive smiles may feel self conscious about their smile and may not make that important first impression.  It makes someone's smile very important.  A beautiful smile that includes bright, white teeth improves anyone's allover appearance. Having nice white teeth can help you feel better about yourself and make that memorable impression. 

There are many factors that can contribute to the staining and darkening of teeth.  Lifestyle factors are the biggest contributor to this problem. Teeth can become stained and darken from such things as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine.  Smoking is also a major factor in whether teeth will darken.   But simply aging can also contribute to teeth not being their whitest.

The solution to this is using a whitening procedure.   This is the best possible way to improve the total look of your smile. While the Zoom whitening procedure has become easier to access in many dental offices. There are some things that you should look at when considering a whitening procedure.  Here are a few-

    The whitening procedure should be fast and convenient. The Zoom whitening procedure takes just 45 minutes.  This can be done literally during a lunch hour. A special proprietary bleaching gel is applied to the teeth after the lips and gums are covered. A specially designed laser light is then applied to help the gel penetrate and break up stains and discoloration.  This is repeated in three 15 minute increments and then followed by a five minute fluoride treatment.
    The whitening procedure should be long lasting.  Proponents of the Zoom whitening procedure report that after treatment their teeth are between 6-10 shades lighter.  The teeth permanently become lighter with the correct post procedure care.  Dentists who use this procedure for their patients recommend flossing and brushing twice daily using special Zoom toothpaste.  This is used as a maintenance procedure to the actual whitening.
    The whitening procedure should have low sensitivity.  This provides the least amount of discomfort. Some patients report after using the Zoom whitening procedure that they do have a slight and temporary increased sensitivity to cold. These symptoms disappear 1-3 days after the completion of the treatment.  While this may seem like a negative to this procedure, many off the shelf bleach treatments are harsh and can cause a great amount of discomfort for the user.
    The whitening procedure should be proven to safe and effective.  To many times beauty treatments can not provide what is promised or have serious side effects.  Neither of these is true with using the Zoom whitening procedure.  There are countless testimonials available about both the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.  As with any other cosmetic procedure the consumer should not be afraid to ask for referrals from their dental professional.
    The whitening procedure should be performed only by a dental professional. Dentists and other professionals applying this treatment undergo specific training to get the best results possible.  It is important that the consumer of whitening products have the procedure done with a qualified dental professional to maximize the wanted results. 

The Zoom whitening procedure seems to have it all!  Fast, safe and easy to do this has certainly become the next step in achieving that glowing smile of pearly white teeth!

Americans spend millions of dollars each year to whiten their teeth. This money is spent on both dentist teeth whitening systems and off the shelf teeth whitening. So, let's take a look at the advantage of dentist teeth whitening systems:

Advantage one: the bleach is stronger

The bleaching agent's strength varies from procedure to procedure, but no matter what dentist whitening system you use, it is going to be much stronger than that of an over the counter, off the shelf teeth whitening system.

Normally the bleaching agent contained in an over-the-counter whitening kit is of a lighter level, as anyone can use it without posing serious risk to them self. For example, it might have around 10% of carbamide peroxide, or if it is a really strong, high profile off the shelf system it may even reach the 22% of carbamide peroxide. However, on the other side, with dentist or professional whitening products you get up to 43%, and generally a minimal of around the highest level from off the shelf products. The carbamide peroxide is strong, and thus at this level it is to be applied under the strict eye of the dentist only. So, even if you wanted to, you would not be able to get a stronger bleach without going through a dentist.

Advantage two: form of application

For the best forms of over the counter whiteners you use mouthpiece trays. However, the dentist can provide a very precise impression of your teeth and produce a customized tray which will exactly fit your mouth, and thus you get more uniform whitening. Often times with off the shelf whiteners you get spots where the bleach did not have direct contact with the teeth, and thus was not as effective.

A dentist is very precise in their molded mouth piece trays, and with this kind of precision, whitening gel will have direct contact with the teeth. So you get a better whitening all around through the professionally made mouthpieces.

Another problem with mouthpieces that are made in shops to fit standard sizes and are not specifically designed for your specific mouth, is that this causes imprecise application of the gel which not only leads to inconsistencies, but in turn can irritate the gums as the gel slips out of its normal path. So, it could be very painful. Dentist teeth whitening systems do not have these problems.
 
Advantage three is the dentist can take additional protective measures if needed

When you go in to get your teeth whitened at the dentist office, the dentist protects the gum with a gel or uses a shield, sliding it over the teeth as protection against bleaching agents. You can't get this in over-the-counter bleaching.
 
Advantage four is simply that it is professional

When you go to a dentist to get your teeth whitened it looks better faster, lasts longer, and is basically guaranteed to go well because he or she is a professional. The process is all done under supervision, which provides another level of safety in the process.

Advantage five is the dentist can determine the cause of staining and thus how best to fix it.

The causes of stains and its appropriate treatment are easily determined by a dentist, whereas if you choose over the counter or off the shelf whitening you are up to your own means to figure out what the best way to get rid of coffee stains is. With dentist teeth whitening systems you get a professional indication on the frequency and level of treatment required for restoration, and follow-up of the whole process.

While there are a dizzying array of options in the teeth whitening arena not all types of whitening options are readily available to everyone.  The laser whitening systems may be too expensive for the average consumer especially since dental insurance does not cover this procedure.  Many dentists do not make the custom mouth trays that hold dental bleach and some people just do not have access to many dental choices.  This leaves off the shelf teeth whitening systems.  There are many types of whitening that can be found on the shelf of the local grocery or drug store.  But the question remains-just how effective are the off the shelf whitening systems?  We will attempt to shed some light on the options here-

1.    Whitening sprays and brush on gels-There are many different whitening sprays available on the shelves of grocery and discount stores today.  These products tend to be affordable in a under $15 price range.  The use is quite straightforward the spray or brush-on gel is directly applied to the teeth usually a couple of times a day. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the product is quite poor.  The saliva in the mouth almost instantly washes away any of the product that might actually adhere to the teeth.  It is almost impossible for the user to be able to apply an even and direct coat to each tooth as well. Many users also report that the comfort level of using this product is poor as many people are sensitive to the bleaching agent.  This can result in pain and increased sensitivity in the mouth. And worst of all many users of this type of product report that even after prolonged use they detect no noticeable change in whiteness of their teeth.

2.    Whitening toothpastes-There are more choices of whitening toothpaste to choose from than ever before.  Almost every brand of toothpaste on the market today has a whitening line.  This is an affordable option with most of these toothpastes being priced for under $7 dollars.  The major problem with whitening toothpaste is that the chemicals put in to do the whitening are much too weak to have any long-lasting effect on whitening.  Also toothpaste does not have enough sustained time with the teeth to make a difference in whitening which usually requires a longer amount of contact with bleaching or whitening chemicals.  So while the comfort and ease of use of this type of product is relatively good the effectiveness just isn't what one would hope.  Most users report no discernable change in teeth color after prolonged use with this type of toothpaste which rates this type of product very low in the effectiveness category.  Of course it goes without saying that dentist recommend constant and vigilant dental hygiene and say brushing with this type of product cannot hurt teeth.

3.    Whitening Strips-This may be the most popular type of whitening product that can be purchased off the shelf in a grocery or drug stores.  This still remains an affordable option with most products available in a $30-$50 range.  This method involves applying special strips coated with whitening chemicals to the upper and lower teeth.  Of all the products listed here this one has the highest level of effectiveness.  There is some whitening that does occur after wearing these strips. The downside to this product is that many users report the strips that are most often worn overnight are uncomfortable to wear.  Many users report sensitivity to the bleaching chemicals, feeling discomfort with the strips in their mouth, or increased teeth sensitivity to cold.  In additions many users report that the strips are somewhat difficult to apply and make sure that every tooth is covered.  Since the strips are not custom-made it is left to the user to make sure the strips can be modified to fit their specific size mouth.  Most users do report that after prolonged use they notice about a 2 shade change of color in teeth whitening.