What ARE Porcelain Dental Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth. People go for this professional tooth whitening solution not just to whiten teeth, but to solve crooked, damaged and chipped teeth. Now, porcelain as a substance is brittle. However, the fact that it is molded to your teeth gives it the ‘backing’ it needs to be strong and robust, ready to take on day-to-day normal diets. A word of caution though, dental veneers are tough but do consider that they are not your original teeth so cracking open, say, pistachio nuts using your porcelain covered teeth is not really advised.

What Is The Cost Of Dental Veneers?
Porcelain veneers prices vary greatly depending on whom you choose as your dentist and how many teeth you want treated. Many people just have the teeth that are obvious in their smile done, mainly because porcelain veneers cost anything from $500 to $2,000 per tooth. It depends on what you want done, but if you don’t need teeth realigned or repaired, and you just want to brighten your smile, and if money is a major consideration, then you may well be best to consider another solution like, for instance,  an at-home tooth whitening kit.

The Pros and Cons Of Porcelain Veneers
Many people say that porcelain veneers are the best solution for stained teeth, but just as many say that that is not so. So before you decide that they are the solution for you, please consider the pros and cons that we have set out below.

The Pros…
Solves misshapen teeth. Although touted as a tooth whitening solution (and that indeed they are), it’s important to note that porcelain veneers change the structure of your teeth. Whereas a tooth whitener will just whiten your teeth, dental veneers will fill out chips on your teeth and any gaps between your teeth (diastemas).

All natural! Without a doubt, porcelain veneers take top marks for giving people that ‘natural’ tooth appearance. You can bet that nobody will come up to you and ask “Hey, are those porcelain dental veneers that you have on?” This is because porcelain is translucent (it allows light to pass through) and it’s this quality that makes them project radiant, natural-looking smiles.

No staining. Another wonderful quality of porcelain is that it’s a ceramic (i.e., glass-like). As such, it resists staining. This is actually the quality that makes people think the costs associated with porcelain veneers are worth it. That is, even if it costs a lot to have them done, the low maintenance expense it requires makes it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

The Cons…
Pain before and after. Porcelain veneers require a cosmetic dentist to reduce your teeth’s enamel by about .5mm. During this reduction or shaving process, many complain of extreme pain. Of course, you can always ask your dentist to administer a local anesthetic. Another complaint often heard from people who have had porcelain veneers fitted is an increased sensitivity to hot and cold. This is actually normal as your teeth have, after all, been ‘shaved’ and dental veneers fitted on them. However, if the pain/sensitivity lasts for weeks, then you should be concerned and visit your dentist.

There’s no turning back. The treatment that goes with porcelain veneers cannot be reversed. You cannot ‘grow’ your teeth back to its normal size after they have been reduced. As such, you’re really ‘stuck’ with dental veneers the minute you let your dentist reduce your teeth.

They are expensive. Consider your goals. If you want to change the structure or shape of your teeth then go with veneers; if you want to just whiten your teeth, then consider an at-home tooth whitening solution instead (which would be about 10x cheaper than dental veneers).
 
What To Do If You Really Want Dental Veneers
Firstly you should find an excellent cosmetic dentist. Get recommendations from your normal dentist and friends. After all you don’t want an inexperienced dentist to be cutting down and reshaping your teeth. You’ll have a first appointment to discuss your decision and for the cosmetic dentist to look at your teeth. Then, at a follow up appointment, the dentist will reduce your teeth and take a mold for the dental porcelain veneers to be made. This usually takes about a week and then you’ll go back to the cosmetic dentist for the fitting of the porcelain veneers. And then you are finished with a bright new smile!

How Do Paint-On Teeth Bleaching Kits Work?
The process of applying paint-on teeth whiteners is simple. The tooth bleaching “paint” comes in a kit along with a brush. You must simply use the brush to paint the teeth, covering your teeth as best you can. After a while the paint begins to solidify into a film coating of sorts and as you leave it on your teeth it slowly does its bleaching work. It is advised that you dry your teeth before applying the whitener, either via air drying or with a towel.

As with other tooth bleaching kits, the effect of the paint-on solution depends on how long it stays on the teeth as well as how well it is applied. It is recommended that the gel be applied twice a day and left on about ½ an hour each time.
 
What Is In The Solution In Paint-On Teeth Bleaching Kits?
The same solution used in other home tooth bleaching products, carbamide peroxide, which is a variant of hydrogen peroxide and the solution of choice for most tooth whitening dental products. Some paints use different strengths of this solution; check the label for exact concentrations. The amount of carbamide peroxide used is usually not more than 35% because then it can be harmful to the gums and skin tissue. Dental solutions are generally in the 6-35% concentration range, paint-on teeth bleaching kits included.

What Are The Problems With Paint-On Teeth Bleaching Kits?
Paint-on teeth bleaching is proven to be effective although there are a couple of drawbacks when it comes to application. For example, you must be careful not to close your mouth before the solution dries. This can present a bit of a challenge, especially if you are using whiteners designed for use while you sleep – you might nod off before the solution is dry!

Also of concern is the fact that paint-on teeth whiteners sometimes easily wash away and come off. This means that teeth may come out unevenly bleached. Again, you must be careful to dry your teeth before applying the paint as this will ensure better application and adhesion.

Are There Better Alternatives To Paint-On Teeth Bleaching Kits?
Of the many alternatives to paint-on tooth bleaching kits, tooth whitening trays and strips are two of the most common. Some say that tooth whitening trays are the best; others that tooth bleaching strips are less awkward to use and therefore better. And then there is professional tooth bleaching by a dentist. But which is best for you is up to you to decide. Which tooth bleaching system is most convenient for you to use, is most effective on your teeth and finally fits within your budget is for you to determine. So think carefully before you make your investment in a brighter smile.

But are tooth bleaching strips the best way to get a brilliant smile? Or are other tooth bleaching systems like tooth bleaching trays and gel kits, more effective at bleaching teeth?

How Does The Tooth Bleaching Strip Work?
Tooth whitening strips are a unique tooth bleaching system. They are clear strips of plastic coated with carbamide peroxide (usually around 6-10% concentration), and are designed to be worn over the teeth twice a day, for an average of 30 minutes each session. The upper tooth bleaching strip has a particular design as does the one for the bottom teeth. They are easy to apply and are barely noticeable to others (and thus can be worn practically any time of the day).

Are Tooth Bleaching Strips Effective?
As mentioned, a tooth bleaching strip is designed to fit directly on the fronts of your teeth without causing any oral discomfort or jaw pain (unlike other products with which these symptoms are often associated – more on this later).

The tooth bleaching strip uses carbamide peroxide as the tooth bleaching agent. This agent is commonly used by many other tooth bleaching systems and has shown that it can whiten teeth very effectively.

However, there is a serious drawback called “striping” that is not usually mentioned by advocates of the tooth bleaching strip. Striping is when the areas between your teeth – the nooks and crannies – are not reached because whitening strips only connect with the fronts of your teeth.

Imagine painting a brown fence white but not dipping your brush in between the crevices. The end result will be a white fence with strips of brown. This is how teeth often look like after using whitening strips.

So while they may work, “striping” is definitely not something in the product’s favor.

What Are The Costs Of The Tooth Bleaching Strip?
Tooth bleaching strips are not that expensive. Depending on the brand you want to buy, probably the lowest you’ll pay for a box of tooth whitening strips is $25.

What Are The Alternatives To The Tooth Bleaching Strip?
Several home tooth bleaching alternatives come to mind. Firstly there are the teeth bleaching toothpastes. But as the bleaching substance doesn’t stay in contact with the teeth for very long – just while you’re brushing your teeth – they tend not to be very effective.

Another would be the use of a tooth whitening tray. Some people claim trays to be the most superior system as they allow teeth to be completely submerged in tooth bleaching solution. However, other people complain that trays are bulky and uncomfortable. This is true of generic trays that are designed as one-size-fits-all. The best trays are those custom-made to fit your teeth. They are far more comfortable and provide comprehensive whitening.

Finally there is Professional Tooth Bleaching by your dentist. This is, of course, the most highly skilled process and attains the full effect relatively quickly. However the cost is high compared to, say, home tooth bleaching kits. The dentist will cost from $500 to $2,000 per session and you may well need several sessions.

My tooth whitening tip? You can try tooth bleaching strips if you like. And you won’t lose much if you do. But I believe that home based tooth bleaching kits with tooth whitening gel and trays is probably the best way to go.

Whatever YOUR reasons are, tooth bleaching to make your teeth white and attractive is an easily accessible option these days. One can buy a tooth whitening kit and start tooth bleaching at home; it’s that easy.

Plenty of families and professionals pursue home tooth whitening… but is it safe? Are there things you should be concerned about before doing your own tooth bleaching? How do you calculate tooth bleaching cost? Are tooth whitening trays and tooth whitening gels expensive products that require major investment? These are all valid questions and it is advisable that you examine both the pros and cons before you undergo teeth whitening treatment.

Why Tooth Bleaching IS Recommended
Dentists have been recommending professional tooth whitening for years now and more and more people are having their teeth cleaned in a collective effort to look better and be more presentable. These days, it is easy to get your hands on home tooth whitening equipment as the costs are far from prohibitive. Depending on the product you choose, results may vary. It is advisable you research the claims of certain tooth bleaching products and see how extensive the bleaching process is and to what extent the products work compared to others.

Having clean teeth is certainly commendable as it enhances your smile and considerably improves your overall presentation. This in turn directly affects your interaction with other people, which is great if you work in crowd-intensive environments or in close-quarter offices. A cheerful and pleasing disposition is a valuable, high-impact asset and tooth bleaching can help you attain that.

A great smile with clean, white teeth can also distract from face wrinkles and other blemishes. There’s something about a good smile that can draw people’s attention away from your other, err… less glamorous features.

That may sound curious but you might be surprised at the amount of people who harbor insecurities regarding receding hair lines, eye wrinkles, acne scars, and even accentuated features like a double chin or a bridge nose. The fact is, a pleasant smile that’s aided by tooth bleaching – while it won’t eliminate unsightly physical tooth features – can draw people’s attention away from the parts of your face you’d rather they didn’t dwell on. Tooth whitening really works!

Further, a cheerful, attractive smile exudes warmth and makes other people feel happy about themselves. Again, in an environment where intense human interaction is a daily thing, a charming smile that’s been enhanced by the benefits of tooth bleaching can go a long way in helping people, including yourself, get through the day.

The Effects of Not Undergoing Tooth Bleaching
Should you have discolored teeth but are unwilling to have tooth bleaching treatment, you might want to consider the following.

If a pleasant, clean-teeth smile can spread good cheer throughout an office, imagine what a poor, inhibited smile can do? Granted, it’s not enough to rupture relationships and cause massive strife in the halls of your company but perhaps your interpersonal relationships aren’t as effective because you don’t look as presentable as you could?

Think of it this way – perhaps you are currently enjoying life, both at home and at work, and nobody says anything about your discolored teeth. Nothing wrong there really. But here’s a good tooth whitening tip: what if you could enhance your interpersonal relationships by improving your image through tooth bleaching? Some go with complete makeovers, some go so far as to have life-coaching seminars. We simply advocate tooth whitening to enhance your smile because we know that positive effects are immediate and immense.

Your professional relationships, while not exactly static but not exactly stellar either, are sure to blossom the moment you have a cleaner, whiter smile. It’s a fact of life; if you look good, you feel good. And those around you will feel good too. Picture working for a scruffy, unhygienic boss and you can imagine how less inspiring his presence could be at the office.

What it really boils down to is relationships. Are you contributing to your well being and the well being of your relationships by paying attention to your overall personal image? Or could you be hindering your relationships because you’d rather not tinker with the way you look, even though you know that something like tooth bleaching can boost your self-image?

If you are one of the many people out there who know that you could do with some tooth bleaching treatment to improve the quality of your smile as well as your personal and interpersonal experiences, you have two choices: a) you may choose not to do anything about it and leave things the way they are, or b) you can opt to undergo tooth bleaching in the interest of self-improvement and the enhancement of your daily interactions with other people.

When you think about it, you’ve nothing to lose but a whole lot to gain. We encourage you, if you know you need to have some tooth whitening treatments, to inquire now how you can avail of great tooth bleaching systems so your smile and professional life can proceed to a whole new level of cheer.

If you answered ‘No’ to any of those questions, then you need to read ‘Little White Lies: False Tooth Whitening Claims Exposed’ before you make a decision on what tooth whitening product to buy.

I wrote ‘Little White Lies’ to expose the lies and tell you the truth about tooth bleaching! And the best part is that it is FREE. So before you do anything else about whitening your teeth get this report. It will be one of the wisest things you’ll do.

Don’t be duped by the outrageous claims of many tooth whitening products. Get the FREE report ‘Little White Lies: False Tooth Whitening Claims Exposed’ and find out the truth. Download the FREE report for now!