History of Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter teeth-whitening products line the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores. Sparkling white teeth are highly sought-after by the masses today; what you may not know is that humans have been searching for ways to whiten their teeth for thousands of years!

Something about a bright white smile makes one feel young and confident. This is no new development. Since ancient times, a white smile has been a symbol of beauty and affluence. But how did people go about it before modern dentistry offered whitening gels and bleaching trays?

From Pharaohs to Barbers: Ancient Teeth Whitening

Like many dental techniques; attempts at teeth whitening began in ancient Egypt around 3000 B.C. White teeth in those days were rare - a sign of vitality and wealth. So, of course, the Pharaohs and their followers were anxious to find a way to cosmetically whiten teeth. Their solution would be the very first toothpaste, a concoction of pumice stone, wine vinegar, and ground oxen hooves that was applied using a primitive form of toothbrush called a chew stick.

Another ancient society that was known for its dental developments was that of ancient Rome. During the first century, Romans used wooden chew sticks to brush their teeth with human urine. While it may sound revolting, the idea was not completely ridiculous. The urine contained ammonia, which did in fact clean and whiten teeth.

Hundreds of years later, in 17th-century Europe, it was common practice for the local barber to provide dental services to his customers. The whitening formula of choice was a two-step process that required the barber to file the patient's teeth before applying a corrosive acid. Needless to say, this treatment was none too healthy for the tooth enamel, but it did leave the teeth sparkling white. Patients were probably not so happy with their whitened teeth a few years later, when their teeth were lost due to advanced decay!

Evolution of Modern Teeth Whitening

In the late 1800s, dentists discovered that chlorine could be used as a bleaching agent to whiten teeth. This method was used throughout Europe and the United States for over one hundred years.

Hydrogen peroxide was not used as a teeth-whitening agent until the early 1900s when dentists began using it to bleach non-vital or "dead" teeth. The solution was also used for gum treatment during this time period, but it wasn't until the 1940's that peroxide bleaching was applied to vital teeth.

The idea of using bleaching trays for at-home teeth whitening was stumbled upon quite by accident in the 1960s by dentist William Klusimer. When Klusimer sent a patient home with a mouth tray and a peroxide solution intended to treat the gums, the patient returned with whiter teeth. Klusimer then developed various whitening techniques using bleaching trays and peroxide throughout the 1970s. The method became more widely accepted in 1989 when a more successful mixture of carbamide peroxide was created.

Since then, hundreds of teeth-whitening products have been developed, from chair-side formulas and custom home whitening trays to over-the-counter whitening strips. If you're searching for the best method of teeth whitening for you, it is best to consult your dentist for a recommendation. Even though most modern teeth-whitening methods are safe, each individual has a different set of teeth with different dental risks. Only a professional dentist can recommend the safest and most effective method of teeth whitening for your smile

Teeth Whitening Pen Reviews

With so many teeth whitening products on the market it may be difficult to choose which product is best. Should you use strips, powders, trays, or pens? Many people have opted to use a teeth whitening pen because of its ease of use.

Even when you have your product narrowed down to a product, you may not be sure which pen works the best. Most all teeth whitening pens will work to whiten your teeth to some degree.

Some may take longer than others, and will be more expensive than others as well. Knowing which one is the best product for your money is important.

P.S. Prices in this article were right at the time of writing but to make sure, always check the vendors website.

What do i have to choose from?

There are several teeth whitening pens from which to choose. These include the Miracle White, the BriteSmile To Go, and Idol White.

The Miracle White pen can be purchased for $24.95. Miracle White claims that you will have whiter teeth after only 1 application. The pen has enough gel for 25 applications. The BriteSmile To Go pen costs an average of $30. With BriteSmile To Go your teeth may be whiter after 2 weeks. There is enough gel in the BriteSmile To Go pen to last for 30 days.

Idol White costs $50. You may see results with this pen in as little as 10 days. The pen has a 30 day supply of whitening gel. Idol White also offer a free sample so you can try their pen for 30 days and just pay the shipping and handling. They also offer a lifetime plan option for $79.95 where you can order a pen every 30 days and just pay the shipping and handling each time.

Which one is best?

For your money, the Idol White pen may be your best choice on their lifetime plan. With Idol White you pay a one time fee of $79.95 for a lifetime supply. When you need more pens all you have to pay is the shipping and handling. The other pens cost $24.94 and $30.00 each time you reorder.

Idol White does not claim "instant" results after one application which sounds about right. Most teeth whitening pens do not provide instant results and can take weeks to whiten you teeth. You may see a difference with Idol White within 10 days.

When you want whiter teeth but cannot afford professional dental services, consider using Idol White. It is easy and convenient to use. You can use it at home or the office. It only takes a minute to apply and leaves no mess.

Glisten White Review - About Teeth Whitening

Hi,

I decided to do this review and article on teeth whitening because I know a lot about the subject. I thought it would be beneficial to people that are unsure about teeth whitening or would like to know how it works. In particular I will be referring to a product called glisten white because I recommend it for home whitening and it is a good example of a gel.

The main reason why people want to whiten their teeth is because they are stained from their lifestyle such as drinking coffee and smoking etc. Teeth whitening can be extremely expensive and can have side effects so it is important to choose the right method. The best method for the home user in my opinion is a home tooth whitening kit. Home tooth whitening kits such as glisten white pretty much work the same way that is applied in the dentist. They both use a peroxide compound which "bleaches" the teeth.

The glisten white gel contains carbamide peroxide. The carbamide peroxide is the main ingredient which is used to whiten teeth. Carbamide peroxide basically "bleaches" teeth. The active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which acts as an oxidizing agent which is utilized to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidizing agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidizes interprismatic stain deposits; over a period of time, the dentin layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached.

The main difference between teeth whitening by a dentist and using glisten white is the price. Teeth whitening by a dentist will cost around £300 whereas a glisten white kit costs £20 and is just as a effective. Glisten white works by wearing mouth trays with the gel in place. After a while of wearing them the gel takes affect and whitens teeth.

There are some side affects to teeth whitening which happens after long periods of use such as sensitive teeth. If the glisten white is used correctly though you will get results within two weeks and there has been a high success rate in clinical testing within other dentistrys.

If you are looking to whiten your teeth I do highly recommend glisten white because it is cheap and just as affective as other more expensive treatments. I hope this review and article on teeth whitening has helped.

How Do Teeth Whitening Procedures Work?

Teeth whitening has become a big business in the past twenty years with more at-home products available and plenty of commercial time dedicated to having the perfect 'pearly white' set of teeth. You might have whitening toothpaste in your bathroom, maybe you've used teeth whitening strips or you could have even had a professional whitening done by your dentist - but do you know how teeth whitening products work?

How do teeth 'yellow'?

One of the first questions you might ask is how our teeth get so yellow in the first place. As we go through lives eating, drinking and, hopefully-not-but-sometimes, smoking, a layer builds up over the enamel of our teeth. Over years this layer, which can usually be scraped away through brushing and treatment by your dentist, will start to get into the slightly porous enamel below it. While these 'stains' on the enamel aren't harmful, they are colour changing and considered quite unattractive.

What do teeth whiteners do?

With the active ingredient of either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, teeth whiteners work themselves deep into the tooth enamel where they break apart these built up stains. Oxidation helps loosen what has made its way into the layer of enamel and the peroxide works as a whitening ingredient - just as it does when used to bleach hair.

What kind of tooth whitener is right for me?

There is a range of options when it comes to whitening; all of them offer different effectiveness.

Whitening toothpaste is one of the most common products that aim to help whiten teeth. The small amount of bleaching ingredients in the toothpaste mean that you'll need to brush consistently and let the toothpaste remain on the teeth for longer to see results.

Whitening kits come in the form of strips, trays or pastes that promise results far faster than toothpaste does. You'll be required to apply the treatment for up to an hour each day but you'll end up with noticeably whiter teeth within a fortnight.

Professional whitening at your cosmetic dentist's office is the fastest way to see whiter teeth. Advanced bleaching systems and laser whitening treatments are all options that can see results within the hour. It's a little bit more expensive, but you'll be satisfied with how it turns out when you have it done professionally.

Care for your teeth and whiten using your preferred method for the smile you've always wanted. Talk to your dentist about professional whitening treatments and switch to a whitening toothpaste next time your tube runs out.

What Is the Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste?

A bright white smile is definitely an asset, whether you just want to look good or you want to get ahead professionally. With so many different toothpastes on the market that claim to whiten the teeth, what is the best tooth whitening toothpaste for you to choose?

Dozens of Whitening Toothpastes on the Market

The question of what toothpaste is best is a challenging one, since there are more than a dozen whitening formulas being marketed by any number of toothpaste gurus. When you take into account all of the top-selling toothpaste brands, there are easily several dozen formulas crying out to you from the shelf of your local department store at any one time. So which one should you choose for your own personal needs? Let's take a look at some of the things you will want to look at when shopping for the best whitening toothpaste for your needs.

The Ingredients Matter

The effectiveness of any whitening toothpaste is based largely on the ingredients that it contains. Most whitening toothpastes can slightly remove surface staining that are caused by smoking or drinking coffee. They cannot actually reverse the discoloration that is caused by fluoride exposure or tetracycline exposure, or by stains that have penetrated the enamel. Look for ingredients that have special abrasives that will gently polish the teeth or that have ingredients like sodium tripolyphosphate, a chemical that will dissolve stains or at minimum, break the stain down so that you can then brush it away.

Results Depend on Length of Use

Consumers should bear in mind that whitening toothpastes should be used as directed if they want to get the best results. It usually takes around a month of brushing with this type of toothpaste to see any results at all. However, some toothpaste that count a chemical known as blue covarine among their active ingredients can make your teeth appear whiter, sooner, although it is merely an optical illusion. For true whitening, stick with peroxide based whitening pastes, which are offered by several companies. In the case of at least one brand, there is also a prebrush rinse that can be purchased with the toothpaste to make it even more effective.

No matter which toothpaste you choose, the key to finding the answer to the ageless query of "what is the best teeth whitening toothpaste" may involve trial and error. While some products seem to work well for some consumers, other people may find them less effective. Bottom line: find a whitening paste that you like and stick with it. The key to white teeth is brushing regularly and often, visiting your dentist regularly, and avoiding things that can stain your teeth such as cigarettes and coffee.

Affordable Teeth Whitening Treatments

Having nice teeth gets much positive attention but many of us are not naturally blessed with pearly whites. We must resort to teeth whitening treatments designed to make our mouths gleam. Zoom is one of the best treatments available and it is quick and easy to get. After a one-hour treatment in a dental office, teeth become an average of eight shades whiter.

This procedure has only been offered for about six years, making it one of the newer whitening treatments. Cost ranges from approximately $150 to over $400 based on dental office location, so the procedure is affordable to many people. Cost aside, the impressive results are what draw many people to this treatment. They are not only drastic, they are also long-term, lasting for up to six months.

Ultra-violet light and a hydrogen peroxide gel are responsible for the drastic lightening effect that over-the-counter products cannot deliver. Delivered by a low wattage lamp, the light activates the hydrogen peroxide. The gel is reapplied several times during the treatment, providing additional whitening each time. It tackles both stains on tooth surfaces that affect enamel and intrinsic stains due to wear, age, and trauma that are not addressed by typical whitening treatments.

Tooth whitening has become a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment because millions of people find their teeth stained over the years. By cleaning teeth to remove embedded dirt and debris and then treating them with a hydrogen peroxide gel, the surfaces become much whiter. Whitening is the most effective way to achieve dramatic improvement in tooth appearance. A treatment that provides immediate results is often preferred to one that requires weeks or months to be effective.

A bright smile is much more than a superficial feature. It can boost the confidence of someone whose teeth have been stained over the years due to wear, excessive mineral exposure, or habits like smoking or drinking coffee. People who were once hesitant to smile now beam brightly whenever they can, showing off their gleaming teeth. This can open the door to an enhanced social life and career opportunities that were previously unavailable.

Professional teeth whitening is the best approach to getting teeth as white as possible. It is much less expensive than most people think and does not require multiple visits to the dentist. With a beautiful set of teeth in their mouths, many people feel confident enough to take on whatever the world throws at them.

UV Teeth Whitening - Does it Work and is it Safe?

Whitening your teeth is now one of the easiest and most cost effective procedures you can do to improve your appearance. UV whitening is one of many different options for making your teeth look brighter, and making yourself look younger. It is becoming a more and more popular way for people to improve their smile. It is also considered to be a way to eliminate discoloring and staining, dramatically enhancing the whiteness of teeth.

UV whitening is one of the power or light-accelerating techniques used in conjunction with a bleaching agent- peroxide or carbamide peroxide - to increase its speed in whitening teeth. The idea is that light in the blue or ultraviolet spectrum excites the peroxide molecules without overheating the pulp of the teeth. The resulting break down of the peroxide molecules is thought to accelerate the whitening process.

Certain kinds of UV whitening treatments, such as the Celebrity Hollywood Whites UV Teeth Whitening Kit, and UVBleachBright are specially made to be used while you relax on a tanning bed. Solar Smile Teeth Whitening is also exclusive for Tanning Salons and is the Number one Whitening Product on the market. Many women find that these UV teeth whitening systems can be used easily while doing their hair, having a manicure or just relaxing.

However, it is the opinion of this author that you should think long and hard before considering any UV treatment, and consult your dentist before considering this procedure.

Ask yourself - "Is it safe, and does it work?"

A recent study in the "Journal of Prosthodontics", found that light-activated and non-light-activated procedures did not differ significantly. In fact, another study in the journal "Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences" went even further. It found that UV exposure in these treatments can be four times the level in ordinary sunbathing and that the eyes and skin are not sufficiently shielded from this radiation. The FDA has received complaints of burned gums from these procedures. Repeated UV exposure can also cause abnormal growths in and around the eye - and even cataracts.

Teeth whitening procedures in general are legitimate cosmetic techniques, but they differ in speed and effectiveness. High-concentration peroxide applications will whiten your teeth even without the UV exposure. So why risk your health just for a little speed?

Dentists exclusively performed teeth whitening until about 1990, when home kits involving tray bleaching were introduced as a convenience. These kits generally have lower concentrations of peroxide and may take longer to obtain whitening results, but they mainly do work - without using potentially harmful UV light.