Tooth Whitening Leads in Cosmetic Dentistry

After years of grinding, chomping, and chewing, your once-pearly whites may have seen better days. The gloss of lustrous white enamel has faded, exposing the natural yellow layer beneath. Add to that a lifetime's worth of pigments from coffee, tea, red wine, and soda that have gotten lodged in tiny cracks in your teeth. The result: that unattractive yellowish-brown tint that's made tooth whitening one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures in the United States. Nearly all cosmetic dentists offer whitening treatments and the number of procedures they perform has jumped about 50 percent each year since 2005, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. More people are also turning to cosmetic enhancements beyond whitening, such as bonding and veneers, which can improve both the function and appearance of crooked, chipped, or worn-down teeth. Cosmetic options abound. To decide which may be right for you, experts say, see a dentist for an evaluation. "Any tooth decay, cavities, periodontal disease, and root or gum recession will have to be resolved before going ahead with whitening," says Matthew Messina, a consumer adviser to the American Dental Association. Sometimes, he adds, just correcting those issues can improve the color and appearance of teeth. When that's not enough, dentists can make additional improvements using well-tested whiteners or prosthetics. But an informed do-it-yourself approach may be cheaper and, ultimately, just as effective. Whether applied at home or in a professional's office, reputable whitening products use peroxides, chemicals that release oxygen bubbles to lift out staining pigments and debris. Where whiteners differ is in their peroxide concentrations, the time they take to work, and, of course, cost.
By Matthew Shulman