Tooth whitening can enhance a person’s looks more than many other beauty treatments. When you think about it, the main things we look at when talking with each other are the eyes and mouth. And both can make us look older or younger than we actually are.

As we age, our teeth tend to naturally become discolored and stained from all sorts of foods, coffee, tea, smoking and many other environmental influences.

So, provided your teeth are in good structural shape, tooth whitening is a very simple method of making your teeth - and you - look younger and more vibrant.

There are several different methods of whitening teeth. In this article, we will discuss starting with your local dentist.

You may choose to find a cosmetic dentist, but you will probably be very well served in a general dentist’s office.  

That’s because all cosmetic dentists are general dentists first and all general dentists are proficient in cosmetic dentistry. 

After all, teeth are as much appearance as function, right?  All certified dentists are fully trained in both aspects.

Ok, you were able to find a local dentist and tell them you’d like to have whiter teeth.  Here are a couple of likely scenarios that you’d encounter.

After the initial exam (and hopefully, cleaning), they’d either give you a second appointment for another day, or if they could fit you in right then, they would probably:

First, make an impression or mold of your teeth.  This mold is used to make a reproduction of your teeth, which is then used to create a custom tray that fits perfectly over your teeth.

One tray is created for the upper teeth and one for the lower teeth.  Once these custom bleaching trays are made, two options are then possible.

The first scenario is probably the most common: The dentist or technician adds tooth whitening gel inside each tray and places them on your teeth to perform the bleaching session right there and then.

Of course, if your teeth haven’t been professionally cleaned, they will have to undergo that procedure before bleaching can occur. In order for the bleaching gel to be fully effective, all tartar, stain and plaque must be removed from the surface of the enamel first.

Some whitening techniques include shining a high-intensity ultraviolet light on the teeth, to increase the speed of the chemical reaction and the depth of penetration.

The second common scenario is when the dentist tries the trays in your mouth to make sure they fit, and if so, provides instructions and enough bleaching gel for you to do it yourself at home, at your convenience.

Normally, several sessions are indicated. The dentist may have you come to their clinic or have you do it at home, depending on your respective preferences.  

Within approximately two sessions using custom bleaching trays and professional strength whitening gel there will be a noticeable change in the color of your teeth.

The main ingredient in all these chemical teeth whitening processes is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which effectively bleach the enamel.

Both peroxides are strong oxidizers in the proper concentrations - normally 20 to 30 percent. And both work to not only bleach the the outside surfaces of the teeth, but also seep into the tiny cracks in the enamel that develop and pick up stain as the years go on.

Only a penetrating material like peroxide bleaching liquids and gels, sometimes intensified with UV lights, can reach and lighten the inside of the enamel without mechanical grinding.

And tooth brushing is useless against these internal stains.
 
And if you are doing the whitening at home, be very careful - don’t overdo it!  If your dentist says no longer than 30 minute sessions, don’t exceed that. Too much exposure to the caustic peroxide can traumatize the nerve of the tooth as well as the surrounding gums.

Fortunately, it’s not that difficult or expensive to keep our teeth - and ourselves - looking young and healthy, shade by shade.