Woman whitening teeth

Teeth whitening has gained popularity as one of the best ways to improve your appearance.  Nothing like a shining, glowing smile to bring confidence and boost your self-esteem, and while the best teeth whitening kits that are available will have very few side effects to the majority of users; the same cannot be said of professional teeth whitening.

It is believed that the pioneers of teeth whitening procedures were really ancient Egyptians dating back to over 4000 years ago when they are believed to have concocted and used some kinds of toothpaste which were basically made of a combination of vinegar and pumice stone. The Romans also joined in the fray but are said to have used human urine as a teeth whitening agent. You may not believe it but worked surprisingly well because of the ammonia that is found in urine.  Barbers in the 18th century used metal files to grind the customer’s teeth, and then bleached them with acid.

The history of teeth whitening has been greatly refined today by the dental industry and as we plunge into the age where brightness of our smiles is more important than ever. In fact, in the last 5 years, dentists have done 300% more teeth whitening procedures than any other year of modern dentistry. The average person can spend anywhere from $400 to $900 on professional teeth whitening services. Chair-side teeth whitening services are incredibly popular and can lighten your teeth by up to 6 shades. Another popular service known as the Britesmile Professional Teeth Whitening treatment can be done for as little as $300

We have reached a point where you do not necessarily have to visit with a dentist to have your teeth whitened. There are many modern procedures due to the advances we have acquired in all fields that have gone on to develop by building on the foundation of history to help you whiten your teeth right there in your own home. In fact, home teeth whitening systems can be a much more cost-effective way to whiten. These systems often employ a low concentration solution of carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth and are often applied to the teeth by using strips or a mouth guard. However it will be important to note that even though you can do the process on your own at home, dentist performed whitening will still usually yield better results. But, if you’re on a budget, it might not be a bad idea to try out an at-home system. Now that you have read about the history of teeth whitening, you have some knowledge that can guide you in making your teeth whitening decisions.

Today professional teeth whitening procedures are carried out by a dentist using laser beams, a special light or e solution that is based on peroxide called carbamide peroxide to form hydrogen peroxide in your mouth. This is actually the best known modern teeth bleaching agent that helps make your teeth white. The bleaching process works in such a way that the active ingredient in the agent breaks down, thus allowing oxygen to enter the enamel and dentin, thereby bleaching the teeth to a brighter color.

The small downside of this modern process is that the peroxide may sometimes cause some burns when it gets into contact with unprotected gum tissue and are often result in a significant increase in teeth sensitivity and damage of the tooth enamel. What is also true of professional teeth whitening is that it can cost a small fortune.  That’s why it is traditionally known as an option that only celebrities and the rich could afford. So today many people who want to avoid the high costs involved with professional teeth whitening will opt for do it yourself take home kits will work as well. The home use kits do make use of the same bleaching agents, but they are not present in the teeth whitening gel in the same concentration that a professional dentist would use.