Teeth bleaching or teeth whitening as it is commonly called is an often used method in general dentistry and more so in the area of cosmetic dentistry. It is usually expected that white teeth are the most striking characteristic of a smile. The bleaching process is perfect for patients who have very healthy teeth and gums but it is not suggested for people suffering from gum disease or those who have fillings in their teeth as the success rate in such cases is lower. With advances in technology, we now have laser bleaching.

As a person grows older, the color of the teeth gets darker. This is because the enamel gets less permeable this altering the tooth's mineral structure. Teeth also get discolored depending on the amount of tea or coffee you consume. Another reason for discolored teeth is if you are in the habit of smoking, chewing tobacco or betel leaf as is common in Asia. Since white teeth are connected with youth, bleaching procedures have plenty of takers in recent years. The teeth whitening techniques used in cosmetic dentistry are surely exceptional ways to whiten and brighten your smile.

Anybody who has already got his permanent teeth can meet the criteria for teeth whitening. There are plenty of whitening methods to think of beginning with the whitening toothpastes or bleaching kits that are within everybody's means. Then you move on to the more sophisticated methods provided by cosmetic dentistry like costly in-office whitening sittings or laser bleaching.

Cosmetic dentistry employs two core methods of teeth whitening. In the first method, often referred to as power bleaching or office bleaching, a highly concentrated oxidizing agent is used. In the other method called take home bleach or over the counter bleaching, a narrow mouth guard a used to hold a low concentration of oxidizing agent near the teeth for several hours a day over a period of five days to two weeks.

As a comparatively new procedure in cosmetic dentistry, laser bleaching is a variant of the power bleaching or office bleaching mentioned earlier. The only difference is that laser bleaching makes use of an argon laser to stimulate the bleaching agent rather than the normal light source used in conventional in-office methods. The laser improves the efficacy of the whitening. Laser bleaching is the most costly option in cosmetic dentistry but it also produces the most remarkable results.

If you come to a decision that cosmetic dentistry is the correct option for you, don't forget to ask your dentist which whitening method would work best on you and don't expect to see results overnight. Teeth that have turned yellow react best to bleaching. Teeth that have turned grey or brown or spotted may not whiten uniformly when subjected to bleach. People with sensitive teeth or diseases of the gum should avoid chemical whitening and check out other choices like bonding or veneers

As time goes by you will find that your newly whitened teeth will begin to darken as you consume tea, coffee, cola, red wine or smoke. You can rinse out your mouth as soon as you have these. Based on which teeth whitening technique you used, you might require a touch every few months or every couple of years or so.