A major chunk of your hard earned bucks goes into looking your best so why shouldn't a part of that be invested in brightening your smile. Smiles definitely have an influence on our quality of life. People who smile brightly showing their teeth are generally presumed to be happier and friendlier than those who don't show their teeth. Why would you want to hide your teeth if you are confident about them?

It would amount to living in ignorance if you allow that colored set of teeth to knock out the color in your life. Teeth whitening has gained so much popularity lately. It has gone from the dentist or professional affair, to what you can pick up in every pharmacy or grocery store. You can easily help yourself to it. What are you waiting for then?

However, before you jump into it, before you make your first purchase, there seems to be a couple of things you should take into consideration.

The FDA does not consider teeth whitening products as a drug; therefore, they do not regulate the ingredients or application of these products. As a consumer, you are left to trust the companies that essentially are out to make money, to regulate the components in their product. However, the American Dental Association has set up guidelines for teeth whitening products and services. The presence of the ADA seal of acceptance on any teeth whitening product or technique shows that the product has satisfied the ADA criteria and is therefore safe and effective to use. It's a tedious task to get this approval, its presence on a product shows the company's dedication to

There are two broad categories of teeth whiteners that I know of, the teeth whitening strips and the gels. Their mode of operation is similar. The products stay in contact with your teeth long enough for them to exert a bleaching effect on the teeth. The whitening strips, Crest Whitestrips for example, are small plastic strips that you wrap around the upper and bottom sections of your teeth. The part of the strip that is in contact with your teeth contains the bleaching solution. You will need to wear these strips for a particular period daily for some weeks to get results. The teeth whitening gels work in almost the same pattern. You will need to coat your teeth with the gel liquid overnight for some weeks to get result. The gel is a bit cheaper compared to the strips that is, if you don't mind waking up with a chalky taste in your mouth.

Finally, remember that teeth whitening can only be done once every few months. To avoid further yellowing of the teeth, limit your intake of coffee, tea, colas, and red wine, which are known to stain enamel. Also note that teeth whitening does not work on caps, crowns and veneers, it won't make your teeth stark white, but it will give your smile a natural and brighter look.

The brighter your smile is, the better your confidence and quality of life. Don't let those 'colored' teeth knock out the confidence in you, whiten your teeth and live a brighter life.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Teeth Whitening

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