Whether in the form of one-hour bleaching sessions at your dentist’s office, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions abound. Yet only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and misinformation on the subject is rife.

The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and requires maintenance or “touch-ups” for a prolonged effect.

Bleaching vs. Whitening
According to the FDA, the term “bleaching” is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach – typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

The term “whitening,” on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used – even when describing products that contain bleach.

Why Teeth Whitening? Examining Enamel
Most of us start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of dentin – the tooth’s core material – to show through.

During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lackluster appearance.

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.

Tooth Discoloration: The Two Types of Tooth Stains
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.

What Causes Tooth Staining?
Age: There is a direct correlation between tooth color and age. Over the years, teeth darken as a result of wear and tear and stain accumulation. Teenagers will likely experience immediate, dramatic results from whitening. In the twenties, as the teeth begin to show a yellow cast, teeth-whitening may require a little more effort. By the forties, the yellow gives way to brown and more maintenance may be called for. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a host of stubborn stains which can prove difficult (but not impossible) to remove.

Starting color: We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey, and intensifies over time. Yellow-brown is generally more responsive to bleaching than green-grey.

Translucency and thinness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are responsive to bleaching. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent – most notably the front teeth – have less of the pigment that is necessary for bleaching. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.

Eating habits: The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.

Smoking habits: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.

Drugs / chemicals: Tetracycline usage during tooth formation produces dark grey or brown ribbon stains which are very difficult to remove. Excessive consumption of fluoride causes fluorosis and associated areas of white mottling.

Grinding: Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing, etc.) can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken.

Trauma: Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth, which collect large amounts of stains and debris.

A child’s dental care really starts with his or her mother’s healthy pregnancy, because baby teeth begin to form before birth. If you are pregnant, make sure to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. It’s important for pregnant women to have a complete dental exam and have any cavities or gum disease treated. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy.

Teething

Your child’s first teeth (primary teeth Click here to see an illustration.) usually begin to break through the gums (erupt) at about 6 months of age, although the timing Click here to see an illustration. varies among children. All of the 20 primary teeth should come in between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Your child will lose his or her primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 11. For more information, see the topic Teething.

Your child’s first permanent teeth Click here to see an illustration. (molars) usually erupt behind the primary teeth at about age 6. The last permanent teeth usually erupt between the ages of 12 and 21.

Starting dental care for children

By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. This may include a dental exam of the mother and her dental history, as the condition of her teeth can often predict her child’s teeth. If the doctor thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist by his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear Click here to see an illustration., whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child’s dental care start at 12 months of age. Babies with dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem should be seen by a children’s (pediatric) dentist right away. If these dental problems are not limited to the surfaces of the teeth, your baby should also be seen by a children’s doctor (pediatrician) or your family doctor. For more information, see the topics Mouth Problems, Noninjury and Mouth and Dental Injuries.

Caring for your child’s teeth

It’s best to start good oral health habits before permanent teeth come in.
* Parents and caregivers often share spoons, forks, and other utensils with babies. The saliva you may leave on the utensil contains bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Sometimes, kissing can also transfer bacteria. You can help prevent early childhood tooth decay in your child by making sure that your family practices good dental health habits. Keeping your own teeth and gums healthy reduces the risk of transferring tooth decay bacteria to your child.
* Do not put your infant or small child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or other product that contains sugar. The sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay (bottle mouth Click here to see an illustration.). Do not prop the bottle up in your baby’s mouth. Remove the bottle as soon as your baby is done feeding or is asleep. Breast-feeding your infant to sleep is safe, however. Encourage your baby to begin drinking from a cup at about 9 months of age.
* Discuss your child’s fluoride needs with your dentist if your local water supply does not contain enough fluoride. To find out, call your local water company or health department. If you have your own well, have your water checked to determine whether your family needs fluoride from other sources. You may also need to provide fluoride to your children if you use bottled water for cooking or drinking.
* Give your child nutritious foods to maintain healthy gums, develop strong teeth, and avoid tooth decay. These include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as pastries, pasta, and white bread. For more information, see the food guide pyramid Click here to see an illustration..
* Do not give your child mouthwashes that contain alcohol. When they are around 6 years old, children with a lot of cavities may start using a mouthwash that contains fluoride. But watch that they do not swallow it.
* Keep your child away from cigarette smoke (secondhand smoke). Tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues.1 As your child grows, teach him or her about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke.
* Children play hard, sometimes hard enough to knock out or break a tooth. Learn how to prevent injuries to teeth and what to do in a dental emergency. For more information, see the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
* If your child sucks his or her fingers or thumb, help your child to stop. If the child can’t stop, see your dentist. For more information, see the topic Thumb-Sucking.

Brushing and flossing

* Start cleaning your child’s teeth with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as the teeth come in. As more teeth erupt, clean teeth with a soft toothbrush, using only water for the first few months.
* By the time your baby is 1 year old, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your child’s teeth for the first few years, until your child can do it alone (usually at about age 3). Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
* Your child can learn how to brush his or her own teeth at about 3 years of age. Children should be brushing their own teeth morning and night by age 4, although you should supervise and check for proper cleaning.
* Give your child a small, soft toothbrush, and apply fluoridated toothpaste in an amount about the size of a small green pea. Encourage your child to watch you and older siblings brush Click here to see an illustration. teeth. A good teaching method is to have your child brush in the morning and you brush at night until your child masters the skill.
* Start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they touch each other. You may find plastic flossing tools Click here to see an illustration. helpful. Talk with your dentist about the right timing and technique to floss your child’s teeth and how to teach your child to floss.
* Use disclosing tablets from time to time to see whether any plaque is left on the teeth after brushing. Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after the child brushes. You can buy these at most drugstores.

Choosing a dentist

Pediatric dentists specialize in the care of infants’, children’s, and teenagers’ teeth. They have 2 to 3 years more training to meet the special needs of these age groups. They have special training in making children feel at ease and may have offices designed for children. Whether or not you use a pediatric dentist for your child, asking the following questions can help you pick the right dentist.

* What experience does the dentist have with children?
* Is the office set up for children? For example, does it have children’s drawings on the wall, magazines for children in the waiting room, and smaller furniture? You might want to visit the office to see how it looks.
* Does the dentist dress the part? Will he or she wear something that puts the child more at ease? For example, if the dentist wears a face mask with children’s illustrations rather than a white face mask, it may help the child relax.
* Does the dentist provide special programs for children? Membership in the “Cavity Club” or “Tooth Tots” can make a visit seem more fun.
* If the dentist has audio headphones, does he or she have children’s material?
* Does the dentist allow you to be present during treatment? This may be important with young children, but older children and teens may prefer to be on their own.

The dentist’s “chairside manner” is also important:

* How does the dentist put the child at ease? Techniques that some dentists use include “Tell-Show-Do,” in which the dentist shows and names a dental instrument, shows how it works and tells what it does, and then uses it with the child. Some dentists will pair children of a similar age. They will work with a shy or scared child and a child who is used to the dentist at the same time.
* How does the dentist start the exam? Many dentists will start with something easy, such as “let’s count your teeth” or making it a guessing game. Your dentist could also ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth, or a “rotten” tooth to begin the visit. This helps put your child at ease.
* Does the dentist praise the child? Saying something good or providing a reward when the child does something “right” helps make a visit to the dentist more positive.
* How does the dentist deal with problems? Children sometimes misbehave during a visit. The dentist may need to take action to prevent injury. In this situation, the first thing to do is to speak calmly and firmly to the child. If this does not stop the child, or if the child needs to be physically held back, you should know in advance and perhaps help. If you feel your child may act up, talk to your dentist in advance about how to deal with the situation.

Preparing your child for a visit

When your child is old enough to understand a visit to the dentist and have worries or fears, it may be helpful to prepare him or her to limit or overcome any anxiety. This first visit can set the tone for all future visits. Here are some things you can do:

* Talk to your child about the visit. Explain what will happen, but make it simple. Tell your child that the dentist will “count” and “take pictures” of his or her teeth.
* Don’t communicate any fear you have to your child. Don’t talk about how the dentist scares you or how bad your last visit was. Don’t use words like “shots,” “drills,” or “needles.”
* Talk to your dentist about any worries your child may have. Work together to help limit them. For example, if you know your child does not like “scary tools,” the dentist may be able to keep them out of sight.
* Look for books that explain what it is like to go to the dentist. They usually contain pictures to help explain what happens. They also let your child see what the inside of a dental office looks like.
* Ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth or teeth to take to the dentist. Your child can then talk about this to begin the visit.
* Don’t bribe your child into going to the dentist or use a dental visit as a punishment.

At this condition you can consult your dentist about tooth-whitening options. It includes a number of whitening systems. But now a days Teeth whitening systems like Bleaching kits, Bonding, Porcelain veneers, Whitening Toothpastes used by dentists can be purchased. The ingredients in the tooth whitening systems can be used carefully at home. These home tooth whitening systems do not require extensive treatment sessions; you have to spend only fifteen to thirty minutes in a day. How many days the tooth whitening system can be used depend on the amount of whitening the customer prefers to have on his/her teeth?

To use the tooth whitening systems, customer must put on thin thermoforming trays over the top and bottom teeth for only 15 -30 minutes a day. This formula has much whitening power than other tooth whitening systems, white light refills and therefore requires less application, less time and less effort. It improves higher percentage of active tooth whitening ingredients and is ph optimized to maximize the tooth whitening process.

Some teeth whiting systems:
Bleaching kits—it is mostly accepted whitening tool for tooth bleaching.
Bonding—a complex resin that is molded onto the teeth to change their shade and to reform them.
Porcelain veneers— it is used to reshape and/or lengthen teeth as well as to whiten.
Whitening Toothpastes— whitening toothpastes effectively keep the teeth cleaner and looking whiter. The stronger toothpastes rely on scratch to remove external stains as opposed to actually changing the color of teeth.

It is very important to isolates your gums and lips with a protective material in order to avoid burning of your soft tissue. It is for this reason that home whitening kits usually have a low concentration of peroxide so that there is less change of any damage at home. The tooth whitening system does not contain any fluoride and its quality formula actually reduces tooth sensitivity. We unconditionally guarantee your total satisfaction with the results of our product or your money back – no matter how many you order.

There’s a health issue here too. The less enamel you have over each tooth, the less protection you have from tooth decay and toothache. That sturdy enamel needs to be retained, rather than slowly removed.

So look for a toothpaste that does not have the word “whitening” on the box or label.

How can tooth enamel be effectively whitened?
Teeth whiten only while they are in contact with a whitening agent. So even putting aside the issue of abrasive ingredients, toothpaste can never be effective in whitening teeth unless you spend about 45 minutes each day brushing.

Instead, you could wear a customized tray for those 45 minutes, which contains professional strength whitening gel. Then you would see very noticeable results within days or a week or two, depending on how discolored your teeth are to begin with.

1. Take-home whitening kits
Your cosmetic dentist can give you a take-home tooth whitening kit for just a modest cost. He would first have two trays made for you, from molds he would take of your upper and lower teeth. These trays will fit evenly and closely around your individual teeth. Therefore the whitening gel in your kit will be in even and close contact with your teeth, giving a smooth, bright result.

What’s in the kit?
Besides your two custom-made trays in a little container, there will be:
· Several syringes of whitening gel. You and your cosmetic dentist can first discuss how strong the gel should be. If your teeth are particularly sensitive, you can choose a moderate-strength gel, or an even weaker one. If you have more sturdy teeth, the strongest gel would be appropriate. The syringes have marks showing how much gel to use each time.
· A shade strip with places for you to mark the shade of your teeth when you begin and when you finish. Just hold it up next to your teeth to compare them to the shade choices on the strip.
· A syringe of de-sensitizing gel in case your teeth do get a bit sensitive. You can stop using the whitening gel, and use this de-sensitizing gel in the trays for a day or two.
· Instructions on how to use the kit.

Wear the trays for about 45 minutes each day and you’ll be astonished at the results.

2. Zoom! In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you’d like to get the job done quickly and not bother about wearing trays for a week or two, a Zoom! whitening treatment is the answer. In one visit of about 90 minutes, it can all be finished. The treatment itself takes an hour, and there’s a little time for preparation and a check-up afterwards.

After you’re comfortably settled, your dentist would first paint a protective gel on the gums and lips (or use a rubber guard). Then the whitening gel is applied to the teeth and a special light directed on it for 20 minutes. This is done twice more. If your teeth become too sensitive during this treatment, it will be stopped and a desensitizing agent applied.

At the end of that hour, you have a bright new smile. To follow up your cosmetic dentist will give you a take-home kit with more whitening gel and two trays. You can use this to brighten your teeth even further, or for later touch-ups.

The secret of successful teeth whitening is to use professional-strength gel, and trays that fit closely around each tooth. The quickest way is in-office, but the at-home method works as well, just taking longer. If you also have minor defects in your front teeth, like chips, slight crookedness, mis-matched sizes, or a gap between them, porcelain veneers are a very popular way to both correct those defects and give your teeth a new bright surface.

The best time to start working towards a healthy set of teeth for your little one is before and during pregnancy. Your baby’s teeth begin to form in utero, although they don’t fully develop until they start pushing through the gums between seven and 12 months of age. A mother’s nutrition during the months of tooth formation can greatly influence the health of her baby’s teeth.

These primary (baby) teeth are in a sense “temporary” because they are replaced by the permanent teeth, but their role in determining the health of future permanent teeth should not be underestimated. Primary teeth encourage the normal development of jaw bones and muscles, and ensure that there is space for the permanent teeth to grow into. They also help guide those teeth into position. The healthier your child’s baby teeth are, the stronger their permanent teeth will be!

Most kids start losing their primary teeth between the ages of six and eight, but some baby teeth stay in the mouth until age 12. The permanent teeth help to push the primary teeth out and then take their place. Tooth formation is thus an ongoing process from before birth until well into the teenage years. A nutritious diet along with high-quality supplements during these years sets the stage for dental health both in childhood and throughout adulthood.

Dental-Friendly Diet

The most important nutrient for strong teeth is calcium. It’s found in green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, dried beans, almonds, sesame seeds, seaweeds and some root vegetables, especially carrots grown in organic, mineral-rich soil.

Dairy foods are also a good source of calcium, but they can be difficult to digest because of mandatory pasteurization, which destroys enzymes. Fermented whole dairy products such as yogurt, buttermilk and kefir are easier to digest and are especially recommended because their lactic acid content promotes calcium uptake in the small intestine. [The fat in cream or whole milk enables the body to assimilate calcium, which is why we always recommend "whole" food. Don’t be seduced into thinking low-fat or fat-free is better. It’s not. Especially for children.]

It’s also important to know that magnesium and vitamin D are required for calcium to be properly assimilated in the body. Magnesium is found in chlorophyll-rich green vegetables, whole grains, legumes, honey, molasses, dates and nuts, especially almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts. Kelp and other seaweeds are also good sources.

Vitamin D is produced in the body through the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the skin’s fatty tissue. Food sources of vitamin D are eggs and dairy products. When sunlight exposure is limited, especially during the winter months, it’s often difficult to get adequate vitamin D from diet alone and a supplement is necessary. The best way to ensure that your little one gets calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in optimal doses and ratios is a supplement that combines all three nutrients.

Healthy Teeth for Life

Even after your child’s teeth are fully developed, good nutrition plays an important role in keeping them strong and healthy. A diet of natural whole foods helps to ensure a healthy mouth flora, which protects against the acids that cause tooth decay and foods rich in vitamin C help to protect gums against periodontal disease such as gingivitis.

Avoid refined sugars and candies of all kinds! Not only do they increase acids locally in the mouth, but they also undermine tooth health by interfering with the assimilation of minerals in the body. Unpasteurized honey may be the safest sweetener when it comes to tooth health: new research shows that honey prevents the growth of dental plaque bacteria believed to be responsible for dental caries.

Smile, You’ll Like it!

A bright, healthy smile is guaranteed to be noticed. To give power to your family’s grins, try these simple home-care tips.

* Avoid toothpastes with fluoride, a toxic additive. Children will swallow. There are herbal and homeopathic brands containing ingredients such as myrrh, natural oils, licorice, sea salt and neem.
* Brush with baking soda and water.
* Eat an apple. Apples require chewing, which forces your teeth into stimulating action. The malic acid content cleanses the teeth.
* Aloe vera gel applied directly can soothe irritated gums.
* Rub tea tree oil on gums to help prevent and treat gum disease. Or gargle with a mouthwash containing three to six drops of tea tree oil per ounce of mouthwash, but don’t swallow. Tea tree oil shouldn’t be taken internally.
* Clean your toothbrush regularly by soaking it hydrogen peroxide, diluted citrus extract, salt water or another non-toxic bacteria killer.

Of course, there are not many of us who have perfect white teeth to begin with. For all of these reasons, teeth whitening treatments are becoming more and more popular amongst adults. We all want to look our best, feel confident and feel self-assured. Knowing that we can smile, talk and eat without people focusing on our teeth makes a big difference to our self-assurance in social situations.

If you are interested in getting your teeth whitened, you have a number of options. In the first instance, though, you should always speak to your dentist before deciding on a particular treatment. Your dentist will be able to evaluate your teeth and offer a professional opinion on what sort of treatment might be best for you. There are lots of products, brands and treatments on the market so understanding what each option involves is an important first step.

The most common type of tooth whitening treatment available is normally a bleaching service offered by your dental practice. As you would expect with bleaching, it is important that you visit an experienced dentist who will the health of your teeth and gums first. Bleaching is a straightforward treatment. Done wrongly, however, it can damage the teeth, lips and gums.

With professional bleaching treatments, you will usually see a difference in the colour of your teeth over a period of around four weeks. During a number of visits to your dentist, you will be fitted for a gumshield which your dentist will then fill with the appropriate strength whitening agent. In most cases, this agent is a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide.

Most professional bleaching products require the patient to continue the treatment in their own time. So while your dentist apply a stronger whitening agent to your teeth within the practice, you will also be given a slightly milder version to apply yourself at home. This ensures that the whitening process is continuous, although you must stick to the instructions and complete the treatment to get the best results.

As a large part of this treatment is done at home, many people are tempted to try to get results using home whitening kits. Obviously, it saves time if you are not visiting the dentist each week and there are many home whitening kits available from your local chemist and supermarket. However, these home whitening kits are weaker versions of the professional bleaching kits and do not always product the results that people hope for. Home whitening kits, and whitening toothpastes, are best used as products to help keep your teeth white once you have had them professionally whitened.

Time is always precious and most people who want to get their teeth whitened are looking for fast results. This is one of the reasons why laser whitening is increasingly popular. Laser whitening is a new technique that works much faster than professional bleaching treatments. A bleaching agent is painted onto your teeth and then ‘zapped’ with a laser to start the chemical process. You will probably have to have an initial consultation with your dentist, but once you’ve been approved for treatment then it may only take an hour before you see results.

Once your teeth have been whitened, it is also important that you look after them properly to stop them becoming discoloured or stained again. Talk to your dentist or oral hygienist about changes your could make to your diet to protect your teeth. Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do if you want your teeth to stay white.

Enlighten is a technological leader in professional teeth whitening. A US-based research laboratory, they pride themselves on their ability to produce cutting-edge products that really make a visible difference to your smile and your self-confidence.

One of the major challenges for manufacturers of tooth whitening kits was to create effective products without using substances that were harsh enough to damage teeth and cause the patient unnecessary pain. In the 18th Century, when barber shops also often performed the role of community dentist, teeth were whitened using acid. It did the job, but unfortunately also corroded the tooth enamel and led to severe tooth decay in the future.

Since then (thankfully), the science of tooth whitening has evolved in an advanced practice. At the leading edge of this practice is Enlighten, who have developed a comprehensive suite of tooth whitening products that perform consistently well against the competition. The Enlighten range includes kits for both home use and dentist applied, with varying strengths and modes of application.

The key to the success of Enlighten is that it works safely and painlessly, yet at the same time it also provides predicable results. The main brand in the Enlighten stable is called Evolution. Depending on how your teeth are at the beginning of the process, Enlighten Evolution can whiten your teeth by up to ten shades. In fact, Enlighten claim that Evolution is the only product to guarantee that any patient will whiten to at least B1.

Guaranteeing a certain standard of whiteness from a tooth whitening product is very difficult. This is because every patient is an individual case. We all have slightly different teeth – some can be more porous for example – and we all have slightly different lifestyles and diets. It all impacts on how much our teeth stain and lose their natural shine. However, Enlighten products claim to work effectively in virtually every case.

The Evolution brand is also adaptable enough to meet different patient requirements. You should talk to your dentist about which approach might be right for your teeth. You could choose an Evolution Kit which involves primarily home whitening. This normally takes around four weeks and there are different strength kits available, depending on how stained your teeth are.

Alternatively, Evolution also offers a kit which is partly home whitening and partly in-practice whitening. Under dental supervision, the final part of the whitening process is done at a much stronger strength, so that you see results faster. Finally, you can have the Evolution treatment in just one dental appointment – so you will see the difference in your teeth in just 60 minutes!

In each type of kit, the same technology and products are used – only the strengths vary. The Evolution process is also broadly the same, whether you use a home kit or add in a dental appointment. Teeth are whitening using the special ‘Evo gel’ which is added to trays Each kit also includes Enlighten’s own desensitiser, which helps your teeth acclimatise to the whitening products.

Sensitivity can be a side-effect of tooth whitening. However, at no point does the Evolution system damage the enamel of your teeth or harm your gums in any way, shape or form.

The Enlighten Evolution system is proven to be effective at whitening teeth. On average, your teeth will normally maintain their whiteness for around three years before you need a top-up treatment. Once you have had your teeth whitened, it is important that you continue to look after them properly if you want to maintain the best results. Changing your diet can help to protect the whiteness of your teeth, especially if you drink a lot of coffee or red wine for example.

In a crowded market, Evolution is a product that really stands out. Comfortable, patient-friendly and affordable, it can make a significant difference to the quality of your smile.

Gum recession is most common in people over the age of 40. However, you could probably amend that to say that it is identified most often when people are in their Forties. In many cases, the gums have begun to recede very slowly before that so there was probably several opportunities for them to be diagnosed and for treatment to start.

So what causes your gums to recede? In the first instance, it can be something as simply as brushing your teeth too hard. We all want to get our teeth as clean as possible, but it is important that you clean your teeth in the right way. Your dentist can explain the right approach to oral hygiene and demonstrate brushing techniques that can ensure that your gums are not damaged. They will also be able to recommend an appropriate toothbrush.

A more serious cause of receding gums is gum disease. If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up on your teeth, then the bacteria can attack the gums and become embedded into gaps between the gums and the roots of the teeth. Advanced gum disease will need to be treated by a dentist. In the majority of cases, it involves a deep clean of your teeth which includes clearing out the hardened plaque from between the gums and around the roots of the teeth. It requires a local anaesthetic as it can be painful.

The third most common reason for gum recession is orthodontic treatment. When teeth are moved into a better position through an orthodontic treatment, it can often result in the roots of the teeth becoming more prominent. So as the tops of the teeth move to become straighter and to refine the bite and smile, the roots of the teeth can be pushed in the other direction and appear more visible above the gum line.

In cases of serious gum recession, either caused by gum disease or by orthodontic treatment, the only solution may be surgery. Gingival grafting is a treatment that involves grafts from either neighbouring gums or the roof of the mouth onto the affects areas. The surgical procedure is usually performed by a specialist periodontist rather than a dentist and the patient will require a local anaesthetic. Your new gums will usually be healed within the space of about a month. In some cases, once the gums have healed the periodontist may be required to perform some additional shaping to ensure that the gum grafts look as natural as possible.

If you are concerned about your gums receding, there are a number of symptoms that you can watch out for. Of course, you should keep an eye on your gums, but it can be difficult to tell whether they are receding or not unless you have a professional eye. However, if you find that your teeth are becoming more sensitive, this can be an indication that more of your tooth is becoming exposed as the gums recede.

You may also notice a change in the colour of some of your teeth. As the gums recede, the lower part of the tooth which becomes exposed may be whiter than the original crown of the tooth.

It is important that you take responsibility for the health of your own teeth. However, one of the most important things you can do is regularly visit your dentist. As a professional, you dentist will be able to spot whether plaque is building up on your teeth and causing gum disease. They will also be able to identify whether you have cavities below the gum line, which is another indication that gum disease is causing your gums to recede.

Regular visits to your dentist should mean that problems are spotted early and dealt with accordingly. If this happens, then you should be able to maintain healthy gums and healthy teeth for a long time beyond your Forties.

Paying a visit to a dentist in order to get some information about laser bleaching is not a bad idea at all. While the laser technology is capable of removing enamel stains and whitening the teeth, it is important to understand that each procedure pertaining to cosmetic dentistry has its advantages and disadvantages. Only the dentist is capable of saying if your teeth color can benefit from a procedure such as laser bleaching. You can also go online and check out the information presented on cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening methods, making sure that you select a procedure that is right.

Laser bleaching is a procedure that can only be performed at the dentist, as opposed to other methods used to improve teeth color such as the application of whitening gel or strips. The dentist will first apply a special bleaching gel to the teeth and use the laser technology in order to put in motion the active ingredient. The enamel of the teeth will be penetrated by the laser light and the teeth will obtain a lighter shade in an instant. If you are wondering how long the procedure lasts, you should know that the duration depends entirely on how much are the teeth stained. From what has been said so far, you can realize by far the main advantage laser bleaching brings into the picture. We are talking of course about the fact that it only takes a single visit to the dentist to improve your teeth color and bring them to a whiter shade.

Having talked about the advantages of laser bleaching, it kind of makes to present the disadvantages, if there are any to mention. First of all, the procedure is quite expensive and not everyone can afford paying a high sum of money in order to remove teeth staining. Second, everyone will notice the sudden change and you might feel slightly embarrassed. You will have to decide if these are really disadvantages and if you really want to have your teeth whitened through laser bleaching. Think how much your teeth color matters and then take a decision that is based on the benefits of the chosen procedure.

It is incredible to think that today we can have our teeth whitened using laser technology, the results being fast and highly efficient. However, not all people are suitable for laser bleaching and the dentist will be sure to determine whether you are the right candidate or not. You might also be suggested other procedures such as the application of porcelain veneers or dental crowns, depending of course on the health of your teeth. Laser bleaching is often times more recommended to those patients who have either yellowish or brownish staining. It is a recognized fact that it does not work that well on people whose teeth are more grayish than yellow. So, you see, teeth color does matter, especially when cosmetic dentistry is involved.