Articles from the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth and improving their colour through a bleaching process to make them look “whiter”.
For heavily stained teeth a significant improvement in their appearance can be achieved following a procedure as simple as a scale and polish from a dental hygienist.
Most cosmetic dental practices offer a combination of in-surgery immediate teeth whitening and professional take-home tooth whitening kits with custom made trays. Both procedures are based on a bleaching process which uses a peroxide based compound which varies in strength (3-30% peroxide). The higher the concentration of peroxide in the compound the more powerful the bleaching compound is. This means it is more effective at whitening the teeth but at the same time has a greater potential to cause damage to the surrounding gum tissue and your lips.
It is very important that your dentist isolates your gums and lips with a protective material in order to avoid any potential damage and burning of your soft tissue. It is for this reason that home whitening kits usually have a low concentration of peroxide so that there is less change of any damage occurring at home. Although recently high strength home whitening kits that can be purchased online and from certain stores have attracted media attention with horror stories of people with badly burnt lips and gums. Teeth whitening is a procedure that should always be carried out under the supervision of a dentist.
Teeth-whitening 'should only be offered by professionals'
There are a number of beauty salons offering teeth-whitening treatment, reports the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD).
However, many of these salons are unregulated and do not have restrictions on the procedures, it claims.
According to the BACD, some patients who have had such treatment have reported burns on their gums or marks left on their teeth.
Tif Qureshi, public relations manager for the BACD, commented that the academy was working alongside the General Dental Council to try and enforce regulation of non-dentists.
He explained that as the materials used to whiten teeth are so strong, only professionals should apply it.
"It's just something to watch out for," he said. "You can save a little bit of money, but the problem is you're not actually getting something that's being properly regulated."
A third of the population claim to be "concerned" by the appearance of their teeth, reports the BACD.
Home Teeth whitening Kits
The take home whitening kits provide more permanent results over a longer time scale whereas laser whitening offers immediate results. A combination of the two provides the perfect solution to both immediate and long-term whitening.
Tooth whitening 'can boost confidence'
Cosmetic dentistry could boost people's self-confidence and help put a spring in their step, it has been claimed.
A Canadian poll suggested that having whiter teeth would help people increase their confidence and see individuals smile and flirt more.
However, only a third of the three-quarters of respondents to the survey who indicated they want whiter teeth have actually tried teeth whiteners.
Commenting on the survey, Toronto-based dentists Dr Charles Botbol suggested that while people may be a little apprehensive about cosmetic tooth whitening, "a perfect smile isn't as unattainable as you may think".
According to the Dental Health website, tooth whitening is "highly effective" when a person wants to lighten the colour of their teeth yet leave surfaces intact.
It states that professional bleaching is the most common tooth whitening procedure.
Other forms of treatment opted for by patients include laser whitening, which is sometimes referred to as power whitening, and involves using a light to activate the chemical used to whiten teeth.
Teeth whitening for 'yummy mummies'
Cosmetic dentistry treatment could be just the thing for new mothers trying to regain their body confidence after having a baby. The Glasgow Daily Record states that not only can women take advantage of a stylish haircut, new makeup and a regular facial in their bid to become a "yummy mummy", but a brighter smile can make a world of difference. Glasgow-based dentist Dr Ambi Jeyabalan told the newspaper: "A better smile increases your confidence and makes you look more youthful." Teeth whitening is just one of the many cosmetic dentistry treatments available to improve a smile, he added. In addition, Dr Jeyabalan warned that the hormones released during pregnancy can sometimes lead to gum disease and those who snack over eating healthy meals are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. A survey by Orbit Complete and the British Dental Health Foundation revealed that 80 per cent of dentists polled said women take better care of their teeth than men.
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Defy ageing with teeth whitening, says beauty expert
Cosmetic dentistry treatments can keep the signs of ageing at bay, according to a beauty magazine editor. Reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Charla Krupp's book How Not To Look Old instructs people who want to appear young to have their teeth whitened. The newspaper advises readers to invest in professional treatments, citing a 2006 US survey which revealed that whitening toothpastes do not have any effect whatsoever. One company has previously stated that teeth whitening can be a cheaper method to defy the signs of ageing than a facelift. Another way Ms Krupp recommends to keep looking young is to purchase Botox injections. She advises people to buy "refreshing" treatments from dermatologists such as fillers and microdermabrasion. "Much more than obvious and hackneyed beauty suggestions, Krupp's details, tweaks and recommended treatments are innovative and constructive, while at the same time catering for all budgets and levels of commitment," claims the newspaper.
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Dentist recommends the professional approach
People looking to gain a Hollywood smile should head for the dentist's chair rather than the pharmacy, according to one expert.
North Carolina-based cosmetic dentist Dr Bobbi Stanley told local television station WTVD that teeth whitening is a perfectly safe procedure when done properly.
However, she warned that as treatments all involve hydrogen peroxide it is possible for patients to overuse them and actually damage their teeth unless they are careful.
Dr Stanley added that self-restraint is not the only problem faced by people who opt for over-the-counter teeth whitening kits rather than seeking professional help from their dentist.
"Some of these over-the-counter products have not been tested and there are lawsuits that are pending for materials that have actually caused gum trauma or caused the tooth to actually dissolve," she explained.
Despite the minor risks associated with home bleaching products, Americans spent more than $1 billion (£500 million) on them during 2007, according to the Sun Journal.
Whiter teeth 'alternative to surgery'
Teeth whitening treatments can rejuvenate the face and is a simpler, cheaper alternative to cosmetic surgery, it has been claimed.
According to one company, not only do people associate white teeth with youth, a bright smile can distract attention from the signs of ageing such as laughter lines.
"You can spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery or you can get a brighter smile," the company states. "Which procedure would your cheque book appreciate?"
The firm explains that as time goes by, teeth absorb colours and stains from food and drinks and therefore as people get older, their teeth lose their brightness.
With laser tooth whitening, a special light is combined with a bleaching gel to break down the stains on the enamel of the teeth.
Whiter teeth can not only make people appear younger but also restore their confidence in their looks, the firm claims.
Beaten only by Botox, teeth whitening is the favourite non-surgical enhancement in January, reports the Daily Mail.
Teeth whitening treatments 'defy ageing'
Teeth whitening is an effective way of reducing the signs of ageing and looking good, according to a fashion expert.
Charla Krupp, former beauty director at Glamour magazine and former ex-senior director at In Style, has claimed that along with non-surgical enhancements such as Botox and fillers, having a teeth-whitening treatment will delay the signs of ageing.
She explained to Time magazine: "The older we get, the greyer or yellower our teeth look. It's not a youthful sign. Young kids have big, white shining teeth. And now everybody does. Because we can all buy it!"
Many women are embarrassed about their teeth and attempt to cover them when they smile, Ms Krupp continued, claiming that this is often more prominent among older people.
Treatments such as Botox and fillers may be expensive, she added, but it can be planned for in the same way as hair colour - certain people's budgets may stretch to once a month, others twice a year.
Over the Christmas party season, the Sun reported that teeth whitening is a quick-fix beauty treatment that people could have in their lunch hour.
Gift vouchers for a perfect smile
There are a variety of gifts that people can buy for their family and friends to help improve their smiles, it has been claimed.
According to the Western Mail, brushing, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist can help people stay "hip up in the wellbeing stakes of the work-life balance".
Recommending floss and new toothbrushes, the newspaper also suggested that people may wish to give their loved ones the "gift of a winning smile".
"Most dental practices sell gift vouchers for whitening treatments so your loved one can be a bleach baby all year," the news provider stated.
Earlier in the month, Tif Quereshi, PR director for the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, said that the number of people looking for teeth whitening and other cosmetic improvements tends to increase in the run-up to Christmas.
People also look to improve their smiles ahead of the summer, the expert said.
Teeth-whitening "dramatically" improves self-confidence
Teeth-whitening can have an instantly dramatic effect not only an individual's appearance, but also on their self-confidence and happiness, it has been suggested.
Some dentists have claimed that patients undergoing treatment see an impressive change in the way they feel about themselves, simply by improving the colour of their teeth.
If you are not happy with your smile you tend to hold back and not smile. The negative energy you give affects every aspect of your life - your relationships, your career, your well-being.
The treatment works when a whitening agent is applied to a tooth and a chemical reaction occurs in the enamel. Stains and discolouring are then broken down and teeth are left whiter and brighter.
A recent study into the perfect smile found that the most crucial feature was the colour of individual's teeth.
Colour 'major factor' in perfect smile
Scientists have worked out what is necessary for perfecting a dazzling smile.
According to new research, the curve, colour and shape of an individual's teeth, alongside the size and width of each individual tooth and the measurements of the mouth are all important factors in a flawless grin.
However, the researchers warned that colour is a crucial feature of a striking smile, warning people against glow-in-the-dark bright white, advising that teeth should match the whites of their eyes.
"One of the first things about a smile people notice is the colour," said Dr Nicholas Davis, who led the research.
Dr Davis's formula includes information such as that the width of a smile should be at least half the total distance across the face and that the bottom row of teeth should be less visible than the top row.
A Mintel survey recently found that women in their late 40sand early 50s are the most regular cosmetic dentistry patients.