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Teeth Whitening Options

Teeth Whitening Can Give You a New Smile

Teeth Whitening Options

• In-Office Bleaching — In-office teeth whitening offers excellent results. This procedure is performed in the dental office and can be done very quickly, usually in a little over an hour. In-office bleaching is expensive, but the time that you save by having immediate results can make this option appealing.
• Teeth Whitening Trays and Gels — Teeth whitening trays and gels are very effective, but the desired results take longer to achieve than with in-office bleaching. Depending on the strength of peroxide in the gel, these clear trays are usually worn a couple of hours a day or overnight and could take anywhere from 3 days to a couple of weeks before any results are noticed. There are basically two types of teeth whitening trays and gels: Those purchased from your dentist and those purchased over the counter. While they will both whiten your teeth, there are noted differences in the two.Teeth whitening kits from the dentist produce faster and more effective results because they contain a stronger peroxide-bleaching agent than whitening kits purchased over the counter. Another benefit of trays and gels from the dentist is that the trays are custom made and fit your teeth exactly. Over-the-counter trays are generic sized and could allow the bleaching agent to come into contact with your gums, causing irritation.
• Teeth Whitening Strips — Teeth whitening strips are popping up in every drug store across the nation. These whitening strips sold over the counter are fairly inexpensive, easy to use and most of them really work. Teeth whitening strips may take take longer to produce the desired results depending on the strength of peroxide that they contain. Good Housekeeping recently did an interesting study about which whitening strips work the best.
• Teeth Whitening Toothpastes — Teeth whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives to remove surface stains. Some whitening toothpastes may have additional polishing agents and special chemicals that are more effective against stains than regular toothpastes, but teeth whitening toothpastes are not designed to actually “bleach” your teeth.
• Other Teeth Whitening Products — New teeth whitening products are always popping up. In general, I can name a few: whitening chewing gum, dental floss and mouthwashes. While these products are relatively new, not much research has been done to prove or disprove the effectiveness of these whitening products. I have actually tried all three and I am sad to say that while they tasted good or worked well, I didn’t see any whitening results.If you are still unsure, ask your dentist to recommend a teeth whitening treatment for you. If you live in the United States, be sure to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance on over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
• _{Source: “Tooth Whitening Treatments,” American Dental Association. 18 September 2007.}

Q. Do Teeth Whitening Toothpastes Really Work

A. Teeth whitening toothpastes seem to be popping up everywhere and you’ve got to wonder if they really work.

Whitening toothpastes, like all other toothpastes, contain mild abrasives to remove surface stains. Teeth whitening toothpastes may have additional polishing agents and special chemicals that are more effective against stains than regular toothpastes. While whitening toothpastes can make your teeth appear a little lighter, by getting rid of stains, they do not actually bleach your teeth.

Teeth whitening toothpastes are ideal for people who smoke, drink coffee and tea and eat certain foods that can stain your teeth. Teeth whitening toothpastes are also good to use after you have undergone a teeth whitening procedure to keep surface stains from building up on your teeth.

If you decide to use a teeth whitening toothpaste, be sure that it contains fluoride for extra protection against tooth decay.

Q. Which Toothbrush is Really Better – Manual or Electric?

A. With all the bells and whistles and hundreds of toothbrushes on the market, you’ve got to wonder, which is really the best toothbrush to buy – manual or electric?

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush that you can buy is the one that you will actually use. That’s it. Yes, it’s really that simple. While both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, the bottom line is which one you will use. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes.

If you’re not sure which type of toothbrush you would use the most, I have provided some pros and cons of both:

Manual Toothbrush:

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Most have an easy grip handle
• Some come with a tongue scraper
• Easy to travel with

Cons

• No built in timer to tell you when two minutes are up
• Can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly

Electric Toothbrushes

Pros

• Most have larger ergonomic handles
• Some have built in timers that let you know when you have brushed for a full two minutes
• The feel and buzzing of an electric toothbrush feels good to a lot of people
• Some electric toothbrushes dispense toothpaste

Cons

• Some electric toothbrushes can be quite expensive
• Most electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement

Since everyone is different, I think it’s really good to have a large variety of dental products to choose from.

Many people suffer from severe arthritis, so they really like the Sonicare toothbrush because they can grip it easily.

Some like the convenience of the Sonicare Intelliclean toothbrush because it dispenses toothpaste while brushing and some like the Oral B Braun (Compare Prices) electric toothbrush.

Many kids didn’t really like electric toothbrushes, but they like the Tooth Tunes (Buy Direct) manual toothbrush that plays music while they brush. As long as they are using it, it’s fine.

Deciding whether to buy an electric or manual toothbrush basically comes down to what the user desires as far as comfort and convenience go. Whatever toothbrush that you decide to buy, remember that using it is what’s really important.

Dental Flossers

Some parents, find it easier to use a children’s dental flosser. These are available in refillable and disposable styles, and can be found at most stores that carry toothbrushes and toothpaste. The children’s flossers are smaller and easier to reach into little mouths.

Of course, if ther larger size fits in your mouth, it may be easier for you to manipulate.  Give it a try to see which size is best for you.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dental Products

Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and regular dental check ups are the key factors in maintaining a healthy mouth and avoiding dental problems.

The tips listed here will help you in choosing important dental products.

Choosing a Toothbrush

Any toothbrush that you choose should have soft bristles and feel comfortable in your hand. Choosing between a manual and an electric toothbrush is a decision that you can make depending on your lifestyle and situation.

Manual ToothbrushesIf you prefer a manual toothbrush, make sure that the tip is small enough to reach all areas of your mouth easily.

For children, be sure to choose a child size toothbrush with soft bristles. A manual toothbrush works just fine using the recommended back and forth brushing motion.

Electric ToothbrushesPeople with arthritis or arm and shoulder problems might prefer an electric toothbrush for convenience as well as comfort.

If purchasing an electric toothbrush, be sure that the head is soft and the bristles move in a back and forth motion.

Dental Floss

Whether you choose regular dental floss or dental flossers depends on your personal convenience and comfort. They are both designed to remove cavity causing plaque and food debris from in between your teeth.

When flossing with either product, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth moving towards the gumline. Floss each side of your tooth, even if there isn’t a tooth next to it.

Dental Flossers Many personally prefer to use a dental flosser because it seems to make flossing so much easier than conventional dental floss.

Conventional Dental Floss If you decide to use regular dental floss, tear off a piece at least 18 inches long and wind it around your two index fingers. Hold the floss tightly between your index fingers and thumbs and guide the floss softly in between your teeth.

Floss Threader If you have a fixed dental bridge in your mouth, you can floss underneath it using a floss threader. Floss threaders also work great for people who wear braces.

Toothpaste In June of 2007, the FDA issued a poisonous toothpaste alert for any toothpaste made in China. A week after this alert was issued, counterfeit tubes of Colgate toothpaste that possibly contain the deadly chemical Diethylene Glycol, were found in the United States. If you live in the United States, you can check dental products to make sure that they contain the seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA), which ensures that they have been tested and found to be safe. If you live outside of the United States, make sure that Diethylene Glycol is not listed in the ingredients of any toothpaste products that you are considering purchasing or using. Choosing a toothpaste that contains fluoride, will help to prevent cavities. Some factors of choosing toothpastes are usually personal preferences, such as flavor, whitening, tartar control and price. If you have small children, you might want to try some fun flavored children’s fluoride toothpaste. When applying toothpaste to your toothbrush, you only need to use about a pea size amount.

Mouthwash Mouthwash can be beneficial to kill germs and fight bacteria that can lead to cavities. A mouthwash containing fluoride can even help protect your teeth from cavities. Ingredients, flavor and price are factors to considering in choosing a mouthwash. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can dry up the protective saliva in your mouth, so you may want to ask your dentist to recommend one for you. A mouthwash is a great dental product, but it cannot replace flossing and brushing. If you decide to use a mouthwash, be sure to use it in conjunction with brushing and flossing.The Bottom LineThere are many dental products available to make brushing and flossing easier, but the bottom line is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have good oral hygiene.  Be sure to have regular check ups with your dentist and ask him / her for any personal recommendations on dental products if you have special conditions. Most dentists will also provide you with samples of various dental products. This is a great way to find out if you like a certain dental product before investing in it.

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This Sonic Toothbrush Actually Dispenses Toothpaste While You Brush!

The IntelliClean System does not replace regular dental check ups, however, your check ups might be much better from using this toothbrush. Before I got the IntelliClean System, I had been using the Sonicare Advance toothbrush and my dental check ups improved greatly. My dental cleanings are much quicker and with less scraping since I started using a Sonicare toothbrush. My dental hygienist even made the comment that she could tell a big difference in my mouth since I started using the Sonicare toothbrush. I don’t think that you can go wrong with any of the Sonicare toothbrushes, but the IntelliClean System is definitely the Cadillac of toothbrushes.

How it Works

The Sonicare toothbrush was invented by a team of periodontists (dentists that specialize in the treatment of gum disease) and bioengineers at the University of Washington. The Sonicare toothbrush has a built in microprocessor that allows the bristle tips to move 3 times faster than other electric toothbrushes while moving in the back and forth motion that is recommended by dentists. While brushing does not replace flossing, Sonicare claims that the IntelliClean system is one step closer to flossing because the high speed motion of the toothbrush bristles actually dispense the crest toothpaste with fluoride deep between the teeth and below the gum line to enable cleaning those hard to reach places. This rechargeable toothbrush also has two speeds. One is for normal brushing and the other is a reduced speed to brush gentle or sensitive areas.

Special Conditions

For people with arthritis, brushing can be quite a chore. This toothbrush has a large handle which is great for arthritis sufferers and also limits the hand movement since the sonic movement of the toothbrush does most of the work for you. Gingivitis can occur frequently during pregnancy and the IntelliClean toothpaste dispensing toothbrush is ideal since it has been proven to reduce gingivitis. In addition, studies show that Diabetes is linked to gum disease, therefore, someone with diabetes could also benefit greatly from this toothbrush.

Better Brushing

This rechargeable sonic toothbrush has built in timers that tell you when you have brushed for the full recommended two minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth (upper and lower left and upper and lower right areas). How easy is that? Also, the way that it feels when you are brushing your teeth with this toothbrush is so invigorating, that you will actually want to keep brushing and you will love the fresh feeling in your mouth after using it.

Whiter Teeth

This toothbrush significantly reduces stains such as tobacco, coffee and tea, for noticeably whiter teeth. As a heavy coffee drinker, I have been amazed at how the coffee stains just disappear with the use of this toothbrush.

No More Messy Tubes of Toothpaste

The IntelliClean System is the first integrated sonic toothbrush that dispenses toothpaste from the toothbrush. According to the Sonicare company, laboratory studies show that dispensing more toothpaste toward the end of brushing significantly reduces plaque and bacteria at the site of application. The head of this brush actually contains a small tube of Crest toothpaste with sodium fluoride that dispenses with just a push of a button. Anytime during brushing, you can push the button to get an extra squirt of Crest toothpaste for extra cavity protection and fresh breath.

Great for the Whole Family

Since you can buy the brush heads for this cool toothbrush individually, the whole family can use it! This is not only great because your whole family could have better dental check ups, but you also won’t have to clean up toothpaste from all over the sink if you have children (or a messy spouse)!

Summary

Nothing can replace flossing and regular dental check ups. While there is no guarantee that you won’t develop gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults, regular dental cleanings and check ups, flossing daily and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease because having healthy gums greatly reduces your risk factors for gum disease and bone loss. Regular dental check ups can also detect any signs of oral cancer, another serious dental condition, that can be fatal. Don’t put off your regular dental check ups!

After using the IntelliClean System, people say that their teeth are naturally whiter and my gums look great. They also love the ease and freshness of dispensing toothpastewhile they brush. Not only is the IntelliClean System a wonderful investment for yourself, it is also a wonderful investment for your whole family.

Oral B Brush Ups

Clean Your Teeth and Freshen Your Breath On the Go!

Oral B Brush-Ups have a refreshing mint flavor for fresh breath and they are sugar free to help prevent cavities. They are individually wrapped and ideal for travel, work, parties, school and meetings.

These Brush-ups are not recommended for children under the age of 5 because the mint flavor might be too strong for little mouths and adult supervision should be used for children under 8 years old.

The suggested retail price on these disposable brush ups are about $1.29 for a package of 3 and $2.99 for a package of 12.

While these brush ups are not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing, they are great for helping to keep your teeth and mouth clean and fresh feeling throughout the day.

ADA Toothpaste Seals of Approval

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

• AIM Cavity Protection Toothpaste
• Arm & Hammer Dental Care Advance Cleaning Mint Toothpaste w/Baking Soda
• Mentadent Cavity Fighting Toothpaste

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

• Colgate Junior Toothpaste
• Colgate Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor Fluoride Toothpaste
• Colgate Cavity Protection Winterfresh Gel
• Colgate for Kids Toothpaste ( Barbie, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety)

Dental Technologies, Inc.

• DTI Mint Toothpaste and Gel
• DTI Bubble Gum Flavored Toothpaste

Dr. Fresh, Inc.

• Dr. Fresh Sodium Fluoride Toothpaste
• Dr. Fresh Complete Fluoride Toothpaste (MFP) 

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

• Aquafresh Dr. Seuss Bubble Fresh Fluoride Toothpaste
• Aquafresh for Kids Toothpaste
• Aquafresh Fluoride Protection Toothpaste

JM Murray Center, Inc.

• Oraline Fluoride Mint Toothpaste
• Oraline Secure Clear Fluoride Mint Toothpaste
• Oraline Kids Bubble Gum Flavored Fluoride Toothpaste

Keefe Group

• Cool Wave Fresh Mint Gel Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste

Optimal Healthcare Products, LLC

• Shane Toothpaste

Plak Smacker

• Plak Smacker Great White Shark Fluoride Gel Toothpaste (CoolBerry)
• Plak Smacker Dinosaur Fluoride Gel Toothpaste (Bubblegum)

Procter & Gamble Co.

• Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste
• Crest Cavity Protection Cool Mint Gel
• Crest Kids SparkleFun Cavity Protection Gel

Sheffield Laboratories, Inc.

• Sheffield Fluoride Toothpaste NS#1323 (Original, Bubblegum, Mint Flavors)
• Sheffield Fluoride Toothpaste (NS#2610)
• Sheffield Fluoride Toothpaste (NS#2778)

Tom’s of Maine

• Goofy Grape Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste Liquid Gel for Children
• Toms of Maine Natural Fluoride Toothpaste (Spearmint, Cinnamint, Fennel)
• Toms of Maine Natural Fluoride Toothpaste for Children (Silly Strawberry, Outrageous Orange Mango)
• Toms of Maine Natural Fluoride Toothpaste (Wintermint)
• Toms of Maine Natural Baking Soda Fluoride Toothpaste (Peppermint, Gingermint)