People continue to push for the modern definition of success. That definition includes a hypersensitivity to the way we look and our general appearance. And white teeth simply look better and offer us a good measure of confidence. This is probably because we all know first impressions are extremely important. There is such a thing as love at first sight, and those all-important first impressions in a business environment are critical for long-term relationship success.

There are many things that make up a first impression. Your general appearance and posture although important are not generally what people notice first. The first thing people key into is your face. When your teeth are yellowed and discolored you run the risk of not making that all-important good first impression. This is because most people equate white teeth with being healthy and successful.

The bad news is that no matter how well we take care of our teeth, our lifestyles continue to make them dull and stained. Our eating and drinking habits during our day to day routine help to darken and stain tooth enamel. Some of that rich dark Starbucks coffee that you had this morning, continues to work to darken your teeth. Although people are more aware than ever about good dental hygiene, teeth will also become yellow simply as a result of the aging process.

Teeth whitening is rapidly becoming one of the most popular and sought after cosmetic treatments in the US. The demand for teeth whitening products continues to grow at over 25% a year. The demand for whiter teeth has resulted in three major categories of teeth whitening products and services available today

1. The first is over-the-counter remedies and products. These include toothpastes, mouth washes, white strips, white stripes, and almost everything found in your local drugstore or supermarket personal hygiene ailes.

2. The second is a wide array of home teeth whitening kits. These whitening solutions come complete with a supply of whitener gel stored in individual syringes and teeth bleaching trays. These kits can cost anywhere from a 50 to 150 dollars depending on the quality of the materials and compounds used.

3. The third option is a professional teeth whitening system. These teeth whitening systems are usually offered exclusively through local dentists and dental offices. The professional tooth whitening system delivers much faster results than home teeth whitener kits but are more costly.

Of the professional systems available today, many use a low intensity light to activate whitening gels and chemicals. Some also use laser or light enhanced products that are much more aggressive in their ability to quickly whiten your teeth. Professional teeth whitening typically delivers a noticeable difference in just one treatment.

Professional tooth whitening systems also are much better at lightening or removing the most stubborn stains and yellowing. Even almost impossible to remove tetracycline antibiotic stains can be lightened using the professional teeth whitening methods. As you may know, one of the side effects of tetracycline was that it made brown streaking stains on your teeth.

It’s advisable that no matter which teeth whitening solution you choose, you need to first see your dentist. This is to make certain that your teeth and gums are healthy before starting any teeth whitening solution.

Many people elect to use a professional teeth whitening system to get their smile restored back to their original bright white shade. Then they simply use a home tooth whitening kit and other over-the-counter products to help maintain their new bright smile

About the Author

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, health, and home. For more info on whiter brighter teeth visit the site at http://www.4-home-teeth-whitening.com or http://www.4-home-teeth-whitening.com/best_tooth_whitening_product.html

One of the cheaper options of tooth whitening that many people try are the teeth whitening strips.

So what exactly are they? Well, a tooth whitening strip is basically a thin piece of polyethylene which has a film of hydrogen peroxide on it. As you may already know, this peroxide is a whitening agent that?s used in many tooth whitening treatments.

How do you use them?

The method of using the teeth whitening strips is pretty straightforward. You simply press it onto your teeth and leave it there for awhile. Commonly, you have to leave it for 30 minutes. You won?t get much benefit from doing it just the once, however. Usually you will have to do this twice a day for 2 weeks. But this obviously varies from product to product.

But does it work? Teeth whitening strips can work to some degree, but they don?t really compare to having it done professionally. The main reason for this is the chemicals used. If you have professional tooth whitening performed at the dentist, the chemical that will be used will invariably be ?Carbamide peroxide?. This is much more effective than the hydrogen peroxide that?s used in the strips.

Another nail in the coffin of tooth whitening strips is the face that they can sometimes have side effects. Some people experience sensitivity in their teeth and gums which is traced back to the use of these tooth whitening strips.

Sometimes this can be avoided by using lower strength peroxide in the strips? but then this also reduces their effectiveness. This means you have to use them for longer.

Personally, I tried tooth whitening strips before I had laser treatment (I just had to see if they worked before spending real money on tooth whitening) and although I think it helped to some degree, it was nowhere near as easy and effective as the laser tooth whitening treatment.

I hope this has helped shred some light onto the topic of tooth whitening strips.

Free consultations provided by cosmetic dentists help you take an informed decision about the kind of treatment you need. These consultations include complete evaluations, recommendations for treatment, information about alternative treatments, and comprehensive explanations regarding any surgery involved. The consultation is an opportunity to clear up any doubts about the treatments.

Modern dentistry presents an extensive range of treatment options for people searching to improve their smile. Most patients are not conscious about the different treatments and techniques available in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Free consultations by cosmetic dentists are a good opportunity to ask questions and see the possible results. The cosmetic dentists include oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, and orthodontists. During the consultation, dentists describe the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry that are advantageous to you.

Cosmetic dentists offer free consultations regarding cosmetic dentistry treatments such as veneers or porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, porcelain laminate veneers, porcelain inlays, porcelain crowns, toot whitening, tooth bleaching, teeth whitening, composite veneers, laser whitening, dental implants, crowns, bridges, caps, orthodontics, and other advanced dental procedures. Specific recommendations for surgery and information about the procedure, surgeon, and the surgical facility are also discussed. In addition, appropriate photos are shown which makes the procedures more clear.

From the free consultations by cosmetic dentists, you also get information about the nature, duration, and prices of the treatment. Prior to any treatment, the dentists provide an entire treatment outline and the expected results. Some dentists use cosmetic imaging software that allows you to see cosmetic improvements before proceeding with the treatment. For these reasons, always ask for a free consultation and demonstration from your cosmetic dentist.

Teeth Whitening: The process wherein the color of the teeth is lightened is called as tooth whitening. There are various reasons for teeth getting discolored. The main causes are stains of tea, tobacco, coffee, antibiotics etc. These can be removed by tooth whitening. People who have sensitive teeth should not use teeth whitening. People with sensitive teeth would have more problems if they use teeth whitening solutions.

There are many tooth whitening treatments available, some of them are:

1) Bleaching kits: Tooth bleaching solution is applied to the mouth tray and it is inserted into the mouth. After an hour or two or as mentioned in the kit the tray is removed. Most of them work for an hour. The solution contains peroxide, which bleaches the enamel. The carbamide peroxide content in the solution is normally of ten, sixteen or twenty two percent. Some bleach is used twice a day for two weeks while others are used overnight for 1-2 weeks.

2) Laser tooth whitening: A solution is applied on the teeth. A wall made out of rubber is placed on the teeth and the laser is directed towards the teeth and the heat generated enters the teeth through the solution and the treatment takes an hour or so. After the treatment is completed you can see the changes.

3) Whitening Toothpastes: These toothpastes have special chemicals that remove the stains. The main advantage of the whitening toothpaste is it does not change the natural color of the teeth. Colgate Simply White Advanced Whitening Toothpaste is recommended.

4) Tooth whitening strips: These strips are placed on the teeth and are removed after 30 minutes. These are very effective and are recommended. They also contain peroxides.

If the above mentioned ways of treatment are done properly then there won?t be any problem. There is no long-term data on safety of these tooth-whitening treatments.

For people who want a smile that is brighter, the process of tooth whitening can be easily administered. Tooth whitening can reduce staining and discoloration and ultimately grant a patient a whiter and brighter set of teeth.

But how much really can your teeth become whiter? Some tooth whitening products claim that your teeth can become nine shades whiter. This is exaggerating. A whitening of two or three shades is more possible and can already provide a significant change in a person?s smile.

It is important to note at this point that our teeth have no uniform whiteness. Usually, the whitest teeth are the two front teeth while molars are generally two shades darker. A realistic goal for anyone wishing to have a whiter set of teeth is for the process to achieve its optimum level while retaining the natural look of white teeth. Besides, the whitening results vary from patient to patient depending on the teeth structure and procedure type.

But first, what causes tooth discoloration? Remember that aging, chemical damage and staining are factors that contribute to discoloration as are medications, tea, coffee, cola soft drinks and cigarette.

There are also other factors that affect the color of teeth like genetics and disease. Some people have naturally whiter teeth enamel and their children can acquire this gene trait. But if you suspect that there?s a physiological factor behind the color of your teeth, it is best to consult your physician too so you can better inform your dentist.

Teeth whitening corrects the discoloration in your teeth by removing the staining on your teeth. And there are a number of methods or techniques that can be used to achieve this such as the following: mild acid whitening, chemical whitening, abrasive teeth whitening and the latest one: laser teeth whitening.

Teeth bleaching is a chemical process that a dentist can use to lighten up the color of the teeth of his patient. The process can be administered right in the dentist?s clinic, at the patient?s home or a combination of clinic first-finish at home. Home teeth bleaching procedures are more common nowadays these afford patients the convenience of their own homes.

The cosmetic dentist first molds a custom mouth tray or mouth guard for his patient. Creating the mouth tray is critical because this controls the amount of whitening agent to be used and holds the entire teeth for even whitening. Other material requirements for the home procedure are fairly easy to handle. The dentists should make sure that the patient is well-instructed and well-equipped. While treating at home, never hesitate to call your dentist if you have questions or is not sure of what you?re doing.

Typically, the mouthguard containing the whitening solution must be worn overnight or as instructed by your dentist and/or recommended by the product literature. The session could also last for as short as 2 or 3 hours. This really depends in the product and your own whitening need.

About the Author:

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for http://www.teeth-whitening-tips.org - A free site that offers info on the problems and solutions regarding the different teeth whitening techniques.

There’s no doubt that a brilliant white smile adds a lot to the way you look and as you age your teeth can lose a bit of their brilliance. Stains from coffee, cigarettes and simply aging can turn your teeth several shades off from what they once were. Luckily there are many options for teeth whitening out on the market. Which one is right for you?

How White Will Your Teeth Get?

When considering teeth whitening many people want to know how white their teeth will get. The level of whiteness you can achieve varies from person to person and from teeth to teeth. In rare cases your teeth can be whitened by up to 9 shades, but it is not likely. However, even just a difference of three or four shades will certainly enhance your smile.

The goal for most people undergoing teeth whitening to reach the optimal level of whiteness, without the teeth looking fake. It is important to note that the method used to whiten your teeth will have a significant impact on your outcome. Home-based teeth whitening systems will not typically achieve the same results as in-office teeth whitening. Usually during your first consult with your dentist about teeth whitening he or she will explain to you what results you can expect for your teeth.

How Much Will It Cost?

You can whiten your teeth at home or go to the dentist and have it done professionally. The do it yourself systems cost around $40.00 and typically require that you use strips or a tray for a week or more every day. Contrary to what you might hear, they DO work but you will have to make the commitment to apply the system every day.

An office visit to the dentist just for one teeth whitening treatment could cost up in the thousand dollar range at some of the more high end offices. But many people prefer to have a professional whiten their teeth to be sure it is “done right” or if they can’t commit to using a do it yourself product every day. Depending on the type of treatment your dentist decides is best for you , you could have whiter teeth in just one visit!

Tray Whitening Systems

One common method of teeth whitening is the tray system. This method was the predecessor to today’s teeth whitening strips, but is not obsolete as many consumers still use them today. Basically a gel-like substance, made of concentrated hydrogen peroxide and water and gluten to ensure adherence to the teeth, is put in a tray that fit around the teeth of the user. The trays generally come in sizes, or in some cases can be custom fitted for your teeth by your dentist.

Teeth whitening trays generally are worn for several hours during the day, or even overnight. Most people prefer to be awake when using the tray so that they can be sure the tray doesn’t fall out, or their mouth gets too dry. In most cases the user is able to carry on normal activities without disruption. As a general rule users don’t want to venture outside of their home or car because the trays aren’t exactly attractive. They cause the lips to protrude and speech to be muddled.

Whitening Strips

The whitening strips are thin pieces of plastic coated with hydrogen peroxide or some other whitening agent. The teeth whitening agent is typically clear, so the strip itself is transparent. There are two teeth whitening strips in each treatment set, one for the top row of teeth, and one for the bottom. Each is a different size and designed to fit with the corresponding teeth. They can’t always perfectly fit the user because everyone’s teeth are different, but they are usually comfortable for most people.

The strips are easy to use, you just apply them to the front of your teeth and then fold them over to stay put. The strips are worn for 30 minutes at a time twice a day.

Side Effects Of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is fairly safe and minor side effects can include gum irritation and sensitive teeth. Your gums about the teeth can become irritated when they come in contact with the whitening gel. This will subside once you stop using the whitening product.

Tooth sensitivity is brought on by the inflamed nerve of the tooth. The teeth whitening strips use a chemical that tends to irritate the tooth’s nerve and consequently cause the teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold. This is typically temporary and does not require a dentist visit and will subside once the treatment is over.

About the Author

Lee Dobbins writes for Body Care Zone where you can find out more about taking care of yourself and read more articles on teeth whitening and dental care.

While the argument continues as to whether or not over the counter tooth whitening products are both safe an effective, the UK?s General Dental Council have started their own battle against unlicensed and unqualified individuals offering tooth whitening services.

On the 26th October 2006 the General Dental Council (GDC) started their battle against individuals offering tooth whitening treatments when they are not qualified to perform the tooth whitening procedure.

It was stated that the GDC believe, in the interest of public safety, tooth whitening procedures or clinical advice about such treatments should only be offered by qualified dental practitioners. Any information passed to the GDC that might in anyway indicate that dentistry, cosmetic or otherwise, including any form of tooth whitening procedure, is being practiced illegally will be investigated.

It has been highlighted that under section 38 of the Dentists Act 1984 (as amended) it is a criminal offence for anyone who is not registered with the GDC (or, in exceptional circumstances someone who is registered with another dentistry body) to practise dentistry (which includes all work inside a person?s mouth) in the UK.

From the 31st July 2008 dental care controls are expected to tighten with no one being able to work in the dental industry, in the UK, including all dental therapists and dental hygienists as well as family and cosmetic dentists without being registered with the GDC.

Focus is also being placed on over the counter tooth whitening products in the interest of consumer safety. For many years ?over the counter? tooth whitening products such as tray based tooth whitening, tooth whitening strips and more recently home based laser whitening products have been recognised as cosmetic products in European directives. With new legislation in the offing the range of tooth whitening products offered within the European Community is expected to increase but with it comes the possibility of tighter controls over tooth whitening products that contain more than 6% hydrogen peroxide.

In the wake of such tighter controls will come the questions as to how dangerous are chair based tooth whitening procedures and what level of training is required to become competent in the tooth whitening industry. Also, will the ongoing increasing regulations restrict the availability of effective home based tooth whitening products in the future and will everyone in the UK have to fork out ?500 a shot for the luxury of a whiter smile.

Tooth whitening has been an effect people have been seeking for hundreds of years. The glow of a smile from clean teeth was a symbol of health, wealth status, and family upbringing. Sometimes having a healthy mouth overshadowed tooth whitening, but soon enough it became just as important as having healthy gums and strong teeth.

The Egyptians, Romans, and even during the dawn of man, knew the importance of good oral health. By using ?chewing sticks?, which were small pieces of sticks worn down at one end; this enabled them to scrub the particles off of their teeth after a meal. After all, these periods of the human race needed their teeth in order to survive. The nearest dentist was at least 2000 years away, so dentures were entirely out of the question.

The Middle Ages brought forth the legendary barber and his red and white striped pole, (which was brought forth by hanging blood soaked bandages and clean, white bandages outside to dry, then being wrapped together by the wind, thus forming a pole). The barber, at this time had a dual role of cutting people?s hair and pulling their teeth. This was the important time of tooth whitening because it lead to greater social standing and was a label to the outside world that you had enough to eat, in which case, others did not. So, the barber?s role became to not only pull teeth, but to whiten them as well. He would file the teeth down and smudge corrosive nitric acid on them and in turn their teeth would have a beautiful luminous glow to them. However, the effect of this procedure led to the destruction of the enamel and then would lead to decayed teeth. Hopefully by this time they wouldn?t have to rely on their social graces to get through life, but on their personality like the rest of us.

The nitric acid (although destructive) was quite popular up to the 1800s, until the Italians came across people with stained, but cavity-free teeth. This was due to the high fluoride soil content. Along with these scientists? research and other scientists from around the world, fluoride was labeled to be an important factor in healthy, white teeth. In many parts of the world it was added to the drinking water, thus becoming available to everyone. Even those that were unable to purchase toothpaste or mouthwash. Thanks to this fluoride finding, this gave dentists more time to focus their attention on tooth whitening, which would prove to be more profitable.

To the present day, tooth whitening has become a booming business, with a variety of ways to achieve that radiant smile while satisfying all price ranges. Dentists today, speak more on preventative care in order to have white teeth, such as staying away from coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, and even some medications. However, for those of us that need our daily cup of coffee and daily glass of red wine, there is a multitude of ways to getting your teeth whitened. You can do it at home by purchasing over-the-counter strips or by going to the dentist and receiving the latest and greatest procedure in tooth whitening (which luckily doesn?t contain nitric acid anymore).

Tooth whitening is available to everyone in the world, and you?d be surprised that some people (even to this day) still use ?chewing sticks?. However, a radiant smile still means the same thing now, as it did then: health, wealth, and good family upbringing has been replaced with the importance of appearance.

Copyright ? Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author:

Tooth whitening is becoming an increasingly popular home cosmetic procedure. Learn more about the various whitening systems, benefits and potential risks at http://www.lustrousteeth.com

We need to remember that we?ll be entrusting an important part of our lives to the dentist we choose: our facial appearance and smile. Choosing the wrong cosmetic dentist could mean disaster, so it?s worth taking a little time to make an informed decision, and not accepting the first dentist who seems like a nice person, or the one with the most convenient location.

Gather a list of names from family and friends, co-workers, neighbors, the phone book, and even an online search. When you have a good list in hand, check out a few things about the cosmetic dentist and the practice before you call to schedule an initial consultation.

Check the Professional Affiliations

An experienced cosmetic dentist will belong to at least one professional association, and preferably several, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Such memberships are useful in many ways: they help the dentist stay in touch with his or her peers, keep up with the latest technology and techniques, and keep to good ethical and professional standards. Many established cosmetic dentists also belong to one or more local organizations, or sponsor local events. Even try calling your State Licensing Board to see if anyone has filed a complaint against the dentists you?re considering.

Experience is Key

You won?t want to choose a dentist who?ll be experimenting or practicing on your teeth. Look at how long the dentist has been in practice. Ask how many times he or she has performed the procedures you?re interested in having done. Cosmetic dentistry is a mix of art and science. It requires something of an artistic eye, from judging the right shade of porcelain for your veneers to the best way to recontour your gums. An experienced cosmetic dentist will be looking at your entire face, your personality, even your coloring, and making dental decisions that will enhance your total appearance.

During Your Initial Consultation

Schedule several of these consultations, and take a written list of questions to each one. As you talk to the cosmetic dentist, briefly write down his/her responses. If you don?t understand a response, ask more questions until you do. You want to choose a dentist who has time for you, who listens to your goals and concerns, and who wants you to fully understand the procedures you are interested in having done. The cosmetic dentist should be willing to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of any cosmetic procedure as well.

While you?re having your consultation, glance around the facilities, and even ask for a brief tour. Ask questions to yourself. Does the staff seem content and competent? Are the cosmetic dentist and staff friendly to you? Does the dentist seem to relate well to the staff? Does the office seem well-organized and clean? Do you feel comfortable being there?

Code of Ethics

In your search for the right cosmetic dentist, if anything makes you pause and wonder about a dentist?s ethics, move to the next name on your list. Remember how important your smile is in your daily life, so take time in choosing the cosmetic dentist who seems most qualified on every count. We need to do our research and trust our instinct when it comes to choosing a cosmetic dentist who can help us achieve a new smile.

One of the most popular tooth whitening treatments available today is the ?zoom? teeth whitening method.

So what exactly is zoom tooth whitening? And is it very effective?

Well, zoom teeth whitening is a method which is done in the dentist chair. It involves using gels containing whitening chemicals and a modern light wave technology to activate it.

Although it?s done at the dentist, (I know people can worry about going to the dentist sometimes) the treatment isn?t too uncomfortable. You will have to wear a special lip retractor device to keep your lips away from your teeth, but that?s the worse part (and it isn?t too bad).

Once you?re wearing the lip retractor, the dentist puts the gel onto your teeth, and then applies the light treatment. It can take awhile for the chemical reaction to be complete. It?s usually an hour, which goes by surprisingly fast.

I know sitting in the dentist chair for an hour may put some people off from this treatment, and I can sympathize with you if you feel this way. But it produces results, and it?s cheaper than laser treatment.

But the real question that is probably on your mind right now, is how well does Zoom teeth whitening work?

The results can be very impressive. You will definitely notice your teeth being much whiter, but obviously it?s down to you to look after them well from now on, so you can keep them whiter for longer. After awhile the treatment can fade (especially if you drink a lot of coffee or you?re a smoker).

Many people who prefer the Zoom teeth whitening methods will have this treatment done once a year, which helps keep them staying white.

Now the Zoom method may not be for everyone. But it does get results, and it?s cheaper than laser treatment in most cases. I?ve found it more effective than home treatments, but that?s just my personal experience.