The Health Nut Blog

Everyone wants white teeth. As a Dental Hygienist, I know that people are looking at my teeth all day long. They make a judgement about how well I will take care of their teeth by how well I take care of my own. White teeth are a status symbol of someone who has it together. What does your teeth say about you?

Sometimes, no matter what we try, we can’t keep our teeth completely white and stain-free. This is partially due to genetics, some lack of dental hygiene (ie brushing, flossing, etc) and what we eat and drink. Coffee, tea, sodas, and processed foods containing starches and sugars all tend to leave stains on our teeth. Over time, these stains become worked into the enamel, so even consistent brushing won’t do the trick. This is precisely where teeth whitening can help. Teeth whitening is a process that removes stains and restores you smile.

Teeth whitening can be done in several ways. You could use teeth whitening strips that you place on your teeth to cleanse away plaque and tartar stains. Plaque will build up over time on your teeth, making them harder and harder to clean. The whitening process can assist in dissolving accumulations on the surface of your teeth. Strips are only one way of doing it.

Somtimes it takes strong chemical bleaches that will reach deeper into the tooth than the ordinary teeth whitening process to remove the stains from your teeth. The bleaching process creates a chemical reaction with the plaque and tartar, thus loosening the bond between the buildup and your teeth. Bleach can, if overused, begin to eat away tooth enamel. The substance that coats your teeth and attempts to keep plaque and bacteria from getting inside the tooth is called your tooth enamel. Always use any bleaching product according to the directions the manufacturer has supplied, and let your local dental know what products you are using.

Prevention is the best method of teeth whitening. Make sure not to drink to much coffee, tea, or sweet drink. It’s all right to have these on occasion, but many people overdo consumption of these items. This causes harmful plaque to build up. Tooth decay and gum disease can result from excess plaque and tartar. When you drink a liquid than can stain your teeth, use a straw. Using a straw will help the liquid move past your teeth without coating them.

Not only are white teeth a sign of good looks, they’re much healthier than stained or yellowed teeth. Removing tartar, plaque and the associated stains will give you a healthier mouth. Tooth whitening can be done when even the most consistent dental care doesn't keep some stains from cropping up. Caring for your teeth is always easier than repairing or restoring your teeth. For any tooth whitening system to work, you have to use is consistently in cooperation with proper brushing and regular trips to your dentist. You can check out my site AskTheDentalHygienist for more information.

Melissa has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 12 years. You can find more information about your dental health by visiting her site www.AskTheDentalHygienist.com.

# posted by NeilG @ 5:50 PM