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Dental Whitening by Jane

Incredible smile with custom home teeth whitening system.

Archive for May, 2010

Tooth Discoloration: The Two Types of Tooth Stains

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris, leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of the cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others are filled up again with organic debris. There are two categories of staining as it relates to the teeth: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining.

Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear. Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning. Stubborn extrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts, like teeth bleaching. Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early.

Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride. In the past, it was thought that intrinsic stains were too resistant to be corrected by bleaching. Today, cosmetic dentistry experts believe that even deep-set intrinsic stains can be removed with supervised take-home teeth whitening that is maintained over a matter of months or even a year.

Link: Your Dentistry Guide
http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/teeth-whitening/

Jane Pennington
http://www.teethwhiteningsmiles.com/

Teeth Whitening Options

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Three major teeth whitening options are available today. All three rely on varying concentrations of peroxide and varying application times.

In-Office Whitening: The major advantage to in-office treatments comes in the form of significant color change in a short period of time. A dentist or trained technician protect the gums and then apply a high-concentration peroxide gel. Generally the gel remains on for 15 to 20 minutes, and can go in shifts lasting up to an hour. Those with particularly stubborn staining may be advised to return for additional bleaching sessions, or to add an in-home whitening system to complete the whitening.

Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits: Many dentists are of the opinion that these types of kits can produce the best results over the long haul. Take home kits use an easy-to-use, lower-concentration peroxide gel that can remain on the teeth for an hour or longer. The lower peroxide content may be safer on the teeth.

Over-the-Counter Whitening: This is the cheapest and most convenient of the teeth whitening options. Over-the-counter bleaching involves a bleaching gel with a concentration lower than the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators.

Link: Your Dentistry Guide
http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/teeth-whitening/

Jane Pennington
http://www.teethwhiteningsmiles.com/