The number one suggestion is to keep a healthy and practical oral hygiene regimen. Brushing at least twice a day, preferably after each meal and flossing in between meals is recommended. Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque and should be administered immediately after brushing. This is important not only for teeth whitening purposes, but for overall oral hygiene.

Dark-colored foods and beverages should be avoided for at least a week after whitening. After a week post whitening, sip dark-colored beverages through a straw to avoid contact with teeth. Darker colored beverages will stain teeth over time if they come in constant contact with them.
To keep you and your teeth hydrated, drinking plenty of water is always a good idea. Eat lots of whole and high fiber foods in conjunction with crunchy fruits and vegetables. When you eat foods like carrots, apples and pears they produce a high salivary flow and work like tiny toothbrushes that clean stains over time. These foods act as detergents that whiten teeth safely and naturally.

It usually takes about two weeks for your whitening results to be fully seen. If you are about to have ceramic restorations it is important you understand this. You want to make sure your ceramic restorations match your newly whitened teeth. Bonding, porcelain veneers or other restorations should not be installed for at least 2 weeks after your whitening procedure. If you already have restorations and you get your teeth whitened, you will most likely need them replaced after bleaching to avoid the technicolor effect.

Sensitivity: Individuals at greater risk for teeth whitening sensitivity are those with significant cracks in their teeth and recession of the gums. It has also come to our attention that redheads are at a particular risk for tooth sensitivity. Some people do feel shooting pain down the middle of their front teeth, which is quite uncommon immediately after a teeth whitening session. Bleaching can cause sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch. This sometimes happens during in-office whitening where very high concentrations of bleach are used.

Gum irritation: Peroxide whiteners are usually the culprit for gum irritation. This results from the peroxide coming in contact with the gums. The irritation can last for several days, but usually diminishes after bleaching has come to a halt or the concentration of peroxide has been lowered.

Technicolor teeth: Porcelain veneers, bonding and dental crowns are NOT affected by bleach. Veneers/dental crowns will maintain their original color while an individual’s real teeth will be whitened. This is where the term “technicolor teeth” originated from.

As shown, there are no severe risks to whitening your teeth. Take teeth whitening in moderation, and you will be rewarded with a pleasant and rewarding experience courteously of Teeth Whitening New York.

At-home whitening consists of custom-made trays filled with prescription whitening gel that is worn by the individual for a set amount of time. Molds of the upper and lower teeth are made and from these impressions custom trays for the teeth are created. The trays are very thin and unnoticeable, which makes them wearable during the day or night. You can expect results within a week from your first application. This method is very effective, but in-office whitening is even a step above this approach to whitening teeth(Sometimes your dentist will advise you to use an at-home whitening system after your in-office whitening procedure).

In-office whitening usually starts out with a cleaning of the gum line/teeth and then a peroxide based gel is applied. To activate the gel, a special light is used and the teeth whitening officially begins. Sometimes the dentist will use the bleaching agent by itself, without the aid of the laser. The process lasts for about an hour. Teeth Whitening New York presents both types of whitening systems, so consult with your dentist whichever one you feel would be more appropriate.

There is no significant health benefit to teeth whitening, but if you improve your self esteem it can affect your overall well being. When you do not have to worry about how your teeth might look, you can focus on more important things life has to offer. Being self conscious can hinder progression in many areas of your life, areas that you would never think of. You will be more confident in talking to people on a day to day basis and comfortable with flirting with that cute guy/girl on line at the supermarket. It is a proven fact, people with a brighter smile tend to be less self conscious and smile more often.

A brighter/whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles which in turn projects a more youthful look. Also, when people talk to you it gives them a place to focus on (and what’s a better place to have them focus on then a beautiful smile). Teeth Whitening New York provides long lasting results that will stay with you for years to come!

Powdered pumice stone and wine vinegar, the ingredients used in ancient Egyptian toothpaste! In 2000 BC, Egyptians actually used this concoction on a “chew stick” to brush their teeth. All a “chew stick” really is, is a small branch with one end frayed that they would use to scrape off any particles from their teeth. The Romans actually used an even more grotesque method of cleaning their teeth, human urine. There is a component in human urine, which is ammonia that actively cleans teeth. We still use ammonia in many teeth cleaning products today, just in a very different form!

A barber doesn’t sound like the person who could whiten your teeth with much success, but up until the end of the 18^th century barbers extracted and whitened teeth on top of giving your hair a trim. Filing down the teeth and applying nitric acid was the procedure they used. It whitened the teeth very well, the only problem was that it destroyed the enamel. This was often painful because no dental anesthesia was available at the time. Thankfully we no longer have barbers to address our teeth concerns, instead we have highly trained professionals to care for our teeth.

In the 1840’s, fluoride lozenges were recommended from European dentists. The positive effects of fluoride on teeth were becoming well known throughout the dentistry field. Over 70 years later, scientists tested fluoride in water and later added it to mouthwash and toothpaste with great success. Fluoride is now one of the toughest fighters for cavities and tooth decay.

Now more than ever people are trying to freshen up their smile. Fast forwarding to the 2000’s, there are numerous ways to whiten your teeth. Take home kits, in office teeth whitening and even whitening toothpaste are ways used to brighten your smile. Among these methods, there is no question the most effective and thorough way to whiten your teeth is having professionals do it for you. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry stated that over the past 7 years, teeth whitening and bleaching procedures has increased over 300%. There is no doubt that a healthier more beautiful smile makes you feel infinitely more confident about yourself. So what are you waiting for, liven up that smile and join the club! Check out our Teeth Whitening New York’s dentist page to schedule an appointment now!