Secrets Reveals Of Teeth Whitening Products Alert For American People
Ninety-six percent of Americans believe having whiter teeth makes a person more attractive. The same American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) study found that 74 percent of adults believe an unattractive smile can hurt someone’s career prospects.
Those beliefs — along with the misperception that white teeth are healthy teeth — are driving millions of Americans to buy do-it-yourself whitening products, which topped $1.4 billion in sales last year.
Whitening is a general term that involves changing the enamel color of teeth, which is usually done by scrubbing and bleaching. According to the AACD, most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic whitening (which can cost $600 every six months) so people often turn to retail products sold at stores (which average $35 a month).
The most popular over-the-counter whitening products are toothpastes — that usually contain micro-abrasion particles to rub off stains during brushing — and chemical application — that involves saturating the teeth in bleaching agents using strips or bite trays.
But what users may not realize is that bright and white isn’t really how teeth look, and the misuse of whitening products can result in painful, even long term dental issues.
Aaron Rogers, a registered dental hygienist at Benson Family Dental Care, points out that the bright-white smiles actors flash are often veneers, a very thin material placed over the front of natural teeth.
Such bright white teeth “are not natural,” Rogers says, noting “teeth are normally an off-white color.”
One issue reported by the AACD and the American Dental Association (ADA) is that teens often ignore product instructions, resulting in chemicals being in contact with the teeth and gums for longer period of time or using a products more often than the manufacturer recommends.
The main concern of Sierra Vista dentist M.G. Ramirez is that “there is no control” with do-it-yourself whitening products, which are not tested or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
One mom of a Buena High School student agreed to share her daughter’s painful and expensive experience if their real names weren’t used.
“Jen” is a 17-year-old whose compulsive use of whitening products turned into a severe gum infection that required a month of antibiotic medication and more than a dozen dental appointments.
Two dentists involved in Jen’s treatment concluded the infection was caused by over-strenuous brushing and misuse of whitening products.
“I found out she was using mouthwash several times a day at school that had whiteners in it, plus she was brushing continually (with whitening toothpaste), and using strips before bed,” notes Jen’s mom. “Her gums got irritated, then swollen, then infected. It was bloody and very painful.”
All the bills aren’t in yet, but Jen’s mom says the dental nightmare already tops $4,000 in deductibles and co-pays. Jen now uses medicated toothpaste and can’t eat foods like popcorn or chips or cold beverages. She also requires weekly dental checkups for the next six months to ensure the infection doesn’t return.
In Brazil, a four-year study to be completed in September 2017 is monitoring the impacts of whitening strips on adolescents. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is the first long-term study of its kind and will likely result in revised user instructions.
The United Kingdom is considering restrictions on the sale of retail whitening products to minors, as well as attempts to license bleaching services performed outside a dental office.
Dental insurers CIGNA and Delta Dental discourage non-professional whitening treatments for teenagers because of the risk of problems.
Ramirez, who has been in practice more than 35 years, stresses that anyone considering whitening treatments should first see a dentist to evaluate if whitening will aggravate existing dental conditions, if the process will be painful, and if the teeth are suitable for whitening.
That advice follows the ADA recommendation of a dental exam before undertaking whitening efforts, especially for those with fillings, crowns and extremely dark stains.
Rogers says anyone concerned about the color of their teeth should have a professional dental cleaning, then brush at least twice a day to remove surface stains. He also suggests rinsing with water after drinking high-staining beverages such as coffee, tea and wine.
He points out it is “important to clean your teeth and address any cavities and gum issues before starting with whitening.”
Those beliefs — along with the misperception that white teeth are healthy teeth — are driving millions of Americans to buy do-it-yourself whitening products, which topped $1.4 billion in sales last year.
Whitening is a general term that involves changing the enamel color of teeth, which is usually done by scrubbing and bleaching. According to the AACD, most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic whitening (which can cost $600 every six months) so people often turn to retail products sold at stores (which average $35 a month).
Secrets Reveals Of Teeth Whitening Products Alert For American People
I love what the photographer did with this photo!
March 8 - Front page of Sierra Vista Herald
by Terri Jo Neff
The most popular over-the-counter whitening products are toothpastes — that usually contain micro-abrasion particles to rub off stains during brushing — and chemical application — that involves saturating the teeth in bleaching agents using strips or bite trays.
But what users may not realize is that bright and white isn’t really how teeth look, and the misuse of whitening products can result in painful, even long term dental issues.
Aaron Rogers, a registered dental hygienist at Benson Family Dental Care, points out that the bright-white smiles actors flash are often veneers, a very thin material placed over the front of natural teeth.
Such bright white teeth “are not natural,” Rogers says, noting “teeth are normally an off-white color.”
One issue reported by the AACD and the American Dental Association (ADA) is that teens often ignore product instructions, resulting in chemicals being in contact with the teeth and gums for longer period of time or using a products more often than the manufacturer recommends.
The main concern of Sierra Vista dentist M.G. Ramirez is that “there is no control” with do-it-yourself whitening products, which are not tested or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
One mom of a Buena High School student agreed to share her daughter’s painful and expensive experience if their real names weren’t used.
“Jen” is a 17-year-old whose compulsive use of whitening products turned into a severe gum infection that required a month of antibiotic medication and more than a dozen dental appointments.
Two dentists involved in Jen’s treatment concluded the infection was caused by over-strenuous brushing and misuse of whitening products.
“I found out she was using mouthwash several times a day at school that had whiteners in it, plus she was brushing continually (with whitening toothpaste), and using strips before bed,” notes Jen’s mom. “Her gums got irritated, then swollen, then infected. It was bloody and very painful.”
All the bills aren’t in yet, but Jen’s mom says the dental nightmare already tops $4,000 in deductibles and co-pays. Jen now uses medicated toothpaste and can’t eat foods like popcorn or chips or cold beverages. She also requires weekly dental checkups for the next six months to ensure the infection doesn’t return.
In Brazil, a four-year study to be completed in September 2017 is monitoring the impacts of whitening strips on adolescents. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is the first long-term study of its kind and will likely result in revised user instructions.
The United Kingdom is considering restrictions on the sale of retail whitening products to minors, as well as attempts to license bleaching services performed outside a dental office.
Dental insurers CIGNA and Delta Dental discourage non-professional whitening treatments for teenagers because of the risk of problems.
Ramirez, who has been in practice more than 35 years, stresses that anyone considering whitening treatments should first see a dentist to evaluate if whitening will aggravate existing dental conditions, if the process will be painful, and if the teeth are suitable for whitening.
That advice follows the ADA recommendation of a dental exam before undertaking whitening efforts, especially for those with fillings, crowns and extremely dark stains.
Rogers says anyone concerned about the color of their teeth should have a professional dental cleaning, then brush at least twice a day to remove surface stains. He also suggests rinsing with water after drinking high-staining beverages such as coffee, tea and wine.
He points out it is “important to clean your teeth and address any cavities and gum issues before starting with whitening.”
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