Teeth whitening; now its available to us all
We’d would all love a set of molars that our favourite pop and movie stars have, but up till a few years ago this was probative due to the cost. The good news is that these days you can also get white teeth like them, and it won’t break the bank. A home DIY package is available at most chemists and on the internet, they’re cheap enough at around £35-50 and come complete with easy to follow instructions. Included is a gum shield and a bleaching agent, you have to make a mould first using the gum shield. Take a bowl of hot water and soak the shield for a bit to soften it; this is usual with sporting gum shields. Then when it’s soft enough, and cool enough, you simply bite into the shield and make an impression of your teeth to form the mould. Then you mix up some of the bleaching agent and pour it into the mould and place this on your teeth. The agent then bleaches the enamel and you end up with whiter teeth. You have to follow a strict regime of an eating and drinking diet, but apart from that it’s that easy. If you don’t fancy doing it yourself, then a salon or home visit from a technician might suit you better. This method requires a trained cosmetic dentist to perform the treatment, but it’s proving to be very popular indeed. An inspection of your gums is necessary to start with; if they are too receded then you cannot have the treatment. Assuming all is well, you will then get a shield placed in your mouth to protect your lips, inner mouth and gums. It also helps to keep your mouth open, then a gel is painted onto your teeth and an intense slightly warm light is shone onto the teeth. The gel reacts with it and makes the enamel run to cover over the discolouring of your teeth. It takes about an hour in total, and is done in three fifteen minute sessions. You also get a diet sheet to follow, and provided you use it wisely, it will keep your teeth whiter for longer. The results last for around a year and the cost varies from £200-400. The most expensive method is a veneer; this is a specially made covering that is cemented onto a tooth or a line of teeth. It lasts for 3-5 years for a thin veneer, and 10-15 years for a thicker one, a dentist has to fit them.
