Brighter Smile: Understanding the Pros and the Cons of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening in one of the mainstream trends in society today. This is the single most prominent form of cosmetic dentistry in the United States, and all of the major brands have joined the movement. It is important with the growing number of people choosing to whiten their smiles that they know the pros and cons of teeth whitening.

There are some really inexpensive ways to whiten teeth, however there are some really pricy alternatives too. Sometimes less is more. The least of these products are toothpastes and mouthwashes as well as whitening strips and gels.

While there are a number of very effective over the counter products for whitening that are very affordable, anyone who has a few hundred dollars to spare can also opt for professional whitening or prescription gels. Most all of these contain hydrogen peroxide. The different strengths will determine their effectiveness. Without a doubt, any whitening product will need to carry the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval.

One huge pro of whiter teeth is that they make you look significantly younger. Let’s look at some of the other pros and cons that are associated with teeth whitening.

 

Teeth Whitening Advantages

Teeth whitening will improve your appearance, make you look younger and add to self-confidence. It will also open a lot of doors and make people more receptive to you. With whiter teeth you will find that you smile a lot more, and in return people will be drawn to you because of that. To top it off, whiter teeth will minimize the appearance of age lines and wrinkles. Whitening offers a variety of methods many of which are very affordable, and almost anyone can whiten. Finally, with a brighter, whiter smile you come across as a much friendlier person.

 

Teeth Whitening Disadvantages

Bleaching is very effective, however, some short term disadvantages have been reported. Sore gums, sensitivity and the like are not uncommon. People under 16 should not use the whitening products for this reason, and some individuals may have hypersensitivity from the chemicals. Whiteners may not be effective on severely discolored teeth and should not be used by people with dental implants, crowns, veneers and braces. Sometimes the trays that come with over the counter products are very uncomfortable. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and maintenance will have to be done to keep your smile bright.

In a nutshell if you do not have dental work or severely discolored teeth and you are over 16 then teeth whitening may be a great solution for you. It is affordable, and you do not have to go for the expensive treatments to get results.

Once you whiten your teeth maintaining that new smile is easy with products like Crest 3D Whitening toothpaste, pre-rise and mouthwash. You can also get the Crest 3D white strips for those times that you see your smile needs a boost. All of these are very affordable options made by a brand that has been around for a long time and has the ADA seal of approval. There are also very good options found with Opalescence and Rembrandt.