Ways of whitening your teeth
White teeth are a sure sign of youth. Years of drinking coffee and tea and smoking stain out teeth and turn them yellow. But smile! Today, there are several ways to get that movie ingénue smile.
Laser whitening: Companies like Bright Smile can whiten teeth in an hour. It costs around $250, – but it’s worth it if you’re in a rush and need white teeth in time for your high school reunion this weekend. You just go to the dentist’s office, lie down in the chair, put on protective glasses and listen to music through headphones while the doc whitens your teeth with a laser.
Peroxide gel: A second choice is a peroxide gel that you get from your dentist along with a pair of custom-fit mouth trays. You fill the trays with the gel, which acts as a bleach, and wear them while you sleep. Over time, your teeth whiten. Cost – about $200.
Avoid glycerin-based whitening systems. Some of these can have the unfortunate side effect of making your teeth sensitive. Talk to your dentist about that possibility before proceeding.
Whitening strips: A third choice, which costs about $35, is Crest Whitening strips. These clear strips, which go over your top and bottom front teeth, are worn for half an hour twice a day. But they work only on the teeth that show when you smile. If you want to whiten molars, you’ll have to visit your dentist.
New findings link the bacteria in gum disease to heart disease and strokes. Healthy gums can make you feel six years younger. Men under 50 with advanced periodontal disease are three times more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy teeth and gums.