| Getting
your whites whiter and your brights brighter is no longer only for your
laundry. Today, it's easier and safer than ever to get your teeth whiter
and cleaner looking, too.
 For
several years, dentists have been offering whitening procedures for those
whose teeth are mildly stained or discolored. And now, according to research
presented at the conference of the Academy of General Dentistry in Toronto
this past July, it is even possible for dentists to reduce severe stains
associated with childhood use of tetracycline, an antibiotic than can
cause significant - and previously irreversible - discoloration.
"It may take as much as six months for tetracycline patients to see results,"
says Ralph H. Leonard, Jr., D.D.S. M.P.H., who conducted the research,
"but our findings do controvert the previously-held belief that tetracycline-stained
teeth cannot be bleached."
As for the rest of the smiles in America - the ones that have been discolored
by coffee, cola, wine or cigarettes, or just by Father Time - whitening
generally takes just days or weeks, not months. In some cases it's even
possible to have all your whitening done in just one or two sessions at
the dentist's office. The range of whitening products and procedures available
keeps expanding. And while dentists are wary about some of the over-the-counter
methods available, there are plenty of legitimate, safe and healthy ways
to achieve a brighter smile.
Here's the rundown on the most common whitening procedures - and a few
new whitening methods, too. Talk to your dentist to decide which one is
best for you.
Tooth Whitening Toothpaste: We've come a long way since the days
of the Pepsodent smile. Unlike the do-nothing products of yore, today's
tooth-whitening toothpastes can actually make a slight improvement in the
color of your teeth. The good news is that these pastes are safe and inexpensive,
and if you know how to brush your teeth, you know how to use them properly.
The bad news? They won't make a tremendous difference in your tooth color.
But if you want just a subtle pick-me-up - or if you're looking for a way
to keep your professionally whitened teeth white longer, these products
may be right for you.
Dentist Supervised At-Home Whitening: In this process, most commonly
recommended by dentists for typical yellowed smiles, your dentist will take
an impression of your mouth and fabricate custom trays that fit your teeth
perfectly. When the trays are ready a few days or weeks later, the dentist
will check them for fit and provide you with pre-measured bleaching solution
in applicators you'll use to fill the trays. At home, you'll pop the filled
trays in your mouth, and - depending on the particular kit and instructions
your dentist gives you - you'll wear the trays either for a couple of hours
a day for several days in a row, or to bed every night for a week. The results
can be dramatic, and will last from one to several years.
While dentist-supervised at-home bleaching is right for many people, it
is not appropriate for everyone. Bleaching only works on your natural teeth,
so if you have yellowed caps, crowns or tooth-color fillings, talk to your
dentist about alternatives.
 In-Office
or "Chair-Side" Whitening: If you have just a few teeth that need to
be bleached (for example, if you need the inside of a tooth bleached after
a root canal), or if you don't have the patience or discipline to bleach
your teeth at home, your dentist may recommend in-office bleaching. In one
or several visits, he will carefully apply protective gel to your gums and
spread a highly concentrated bleaching agent to your teeth. He may shine
a "cure light" on your smile, to accelerate the bleaching action (although
the effectiveness of these lights has been debated). Depending on the extent
of your yellowing, chair-side whitening may take one visit or several. The
cost will vary with the amount of your dentist's time your whitening requires.
In-office bleaching is also a good way to "jump start" an at-home bleaching
process. After one session of high-concentration bleaching at your dentist's
office, you will see a significant improvement in the color of your teeth
- and you'll be well into the days- or weeks-long at-home process. Be sure
to notify your dentist if you feel any burning sensation in your gums, as
in-office bleaching solution can be very strong.
Laser Whitening: Seems lasers are being used for just about everything
these days - and tooth whitening is no exception. When you visit your dentist
for laser bleaching, he will protect your gums, tongue and the roof of your
mouth, and coat your teeth with bleaching material and then concentrate
the laser on your teeth for a short while to activate the bleaching process.
The good news? The procedure is quick and, many devotees say, laser whitening
yields dramatic results. But many dentists are still concerned about the
laser's safety and the American Dental Association has not yet endorsed
the process.
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Bleaching Strips: Amid much media fanfare, Colgate recently introduced
bleaching strips. The kits, available only through dentists, include several
weeks'-worth of strips coated with bleaching solution; their adhesive edges
allow you to stick them right on to your teeth. One size fits all, and the
cost is much lower than custom-tray bleaching. The downside? These can be
used only on your front six teeth, so they're not right if you have a super-wide,
molar-baring smile. Also, the manufacturer acknowledges, the whitening benefits
are significantly less than those provided by custom-tray bleaching. Still,
bleaching strips can be a terrific choice if you want to touch up the bleaching
job you got a few years back, or if your teeth are not significantly stained.
Over-The-Counter Whitening Kits: You've seen 'em in the drugstore,
or perhaps on late-night infomercials: those do-it-yourself-dentistry kits
that include a "boil and bite" form you use to make your own tray. While
these kits are cheaper than having your dentist create custom trays, their
imperfect fit can cause problems - including severe gum irritation - because
the trays don't fit precisely enough to keep the whitening solution on your
teeth, where it belongs. The American Dental Association advises against
using these products.
A Whitening Word to The Wise
Before undergoing any whitening procedure, ask your dentist to review
the pros, cons and any possible side effects or risks. And if your gums
bother you during bleaching, alert your dentist immediately.
Steve Wechsler, D.M.D. practices general and cosmetic dentistry
in Westchester County, New York. Susan Kleinman is a frequent contributor
to lamasbeauty.com.
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