Have you considered having your teeth whitened? Or have friends had this done and they look great, but you are still a little apprehensive about the different procedures that may be used? With a little research, as well as talking to people that have had it done, you can base your decision on facts.

There are a few things that you may want to be aware of and consider before making a decision on teeth whitening. If you have dental insurance check it carefully as most will not cover this type of procedure. If you have crowns, tooth colored fillings, bridges or veneers they will not lighten when you have your teeth whitened (bleached).

Teeth whitening done by a dentist usually produces more effective and quicker results because they usually have a stronger bleaching agent than kits you buy over the counter. Most dentists recommend that if you have any cavities they should be filled prior to having your teeth whitened. Touch ups are usually needed to keep your shade. The frequency of touch ups depends on your habits, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola, red wine and smoking. Blueberries can stain your teeth so try to brush them as soon as possible after you eat.

Some people experience tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, which are common side effects of having your teeth whitened. It is also recommended that you have a dental cleaning prior to having your teeth whitened to help remove surface stains.

You should also keep in mind that the whitening of teeth does not have the same results on every sort of discolored tooth. For instance, someone with teeth that appear to have a gray tint might not be happy with the results because they do not bleach as well. A person with yellow tinted teeth might have better results.

Of course as with any health related issue or decision you should make an appointment with your dentist in order to discuss the best procedure available to you.

Labels: dental, dental-plans, dentist, oral-care, whitening