Amber Armstrong
In the age of plastic surgery and self-improvement, people everywhere are always searching for ways to better their appearance. A person’s smile is no exception. From movie stars to the average Joe on the street, everyone strives to make a good first impression. A smile is one thing people tend to remember, so students and professionals alike are aspiring to make a good impression with dazzling whites.
Due to excess consumption of caffeine and sugar nowadays, some are resorting to having their teeth whitened, either professionally or at home using whitening kits. This could be your guide to whiter teeth by talking about the most current whitening methods available, along with how long it takes to get those pearly whites just the right color. According to Glamour magazine, the sale of drugstore whiteners in 2003 hit $334 million dollars and sales continue to skyrocket.
There are several methods to gaining and maintaining those pearly whites. One way to get those yellowish teeth a few shades lighter is to buy an at-home kit. This could be either whitening strips or gels. The strips are applied for several hours at a time, for a series of weeks.
The gel kit works much the same way in that it comes with a plastic tray in which your teeth soak in a hydrogen peroxide gel for a two-hour time block over a two-week span.
“I’ve tried Crest Whitening Strips and I like them. However, I wish it were more time efficient,” says Lindsey Hansen, an apparel merchandising junior.
These two methods are the cheapest for teeth whitening, ranging from $20 to $40 dollars. The results last anywhere from six months to a year. But, dentists warn these at-home kits may cause some irritation to the gums.
One method that may be considered an at-home alternative to whiter teeth would include whitening toothpaste. But, toothpaste that claims to whiten teeth does not actually dye your teeth. Instead, the toothpaste removes pellicle, a film that accumulates on the teeth, preventing stains. Although whitening toothpaste prevents the yellowing of teeth, it does not make too noticeable a difference.
A bit more expensive, yet safer, alternative to at-home whitening kits is going to a dentist to get the job done. Much like the at-home kits, the teeth soak in a tray of hydrogen peroxide for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how white the patient would like their teeth to become. The dentist then applies heat to the teeth, breaking the gel down, whitening the teeth to the desired shade of whiteness. This process shows immediate results, and lasts a couple years.
For those looking for a more permanent, yet much more expensive, method of whitening their teeth, one might consider bonding or veneers. Bonding teeth consists of putting an enamel-like material over the teeth, totaling about two hours in the dentist’s chair. It could cost anywhere from $300 to $700 dollars a tooth, and lasts about two years.
The most extreme form of teeth whitening includes putting on veneers. They are custom-made porcelain shaped to fit your teeth exactly. The impressions of the teeth are made and attached permanently to the patient’s shaved teeth. The veneers last about 15 years. The price? Five hundred to 2000 bucks a tooth!
Because of the price and the time hassle, many college students, like Lisa Goeden, don’t whiten their teeth.
“I’d never do it. I’d probably just wear darker lipstick instead,” says Goeden.
To maintain healthy white teeth in between whitening and cleanings, be sure to eat plenty of fruit, and less sugar. Tap water is also good for your teeth because of the fluoride in it. Don’t smoke, and remember to brush and floss your teeth every day. These simple tips will keep your teeth more healthy and whiter all year long.
Information obtained from the May 2005 issue of Glamour Magazine.
#1.885029:2713043361.jpg:teethwhitening2jerry.jpg:Teeth whitening has an easy application process, depending on the style that you use.:
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