Be Smart About Tooth Whitening

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Everyone wants a whiter,
brighter smile. These days, there are many ways people seek to achieve this
goal, from a whitening procedure in the dental office to strips sold
over-the-counter to whitening toothpaste. Recently, tooth whitening kiosks
have been popping up in places such as local malls. This trend raises the
question, is it safe?

The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) encourages the public to consult
with and have a thorough examination performed by a licensed and registered
dentist prior to having any tooth whitening procedure.

PDA reminds the public that tooth whitening procedures, outside of those
readily available for over-the-counter purchase by the consumer for self-use,
should be performed only by a licensed dentist within a registered dental
office or branch thereof. The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry also is
developing a policy statement that will help provide more guidance by clearly
defining tooth whitening as the practice of dentistry. This approach will
ensure that the patient's specific dental needs are being properly addressed
by an individual who is trained and licensed to diagnose and identify possible
complications that could occur due to inadequately performed procedures.

Since not all tooth discoloration is the same, patients should first be
examined by a licensed dentist to see what type of bleaching is best. After
an examination and cleaning to remove simple stains, your dentist may
recommend one of the following treatment options:

-- Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips. These
typically yield a very subtle lightening of the teeth. The American
Dental Association only approves dentist-dispensed home-use whitening
products, to ensure appropriate application and follow-up.
-- Prescription bleaching kits, dispensed by a licensed dentist, contain
peroxide(s) that will bleach the tooth enamel. Prescription bleaching
kits contain higher levels of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide than
their
non-prescription counterparts. Peroxide whiteners typically come in a
gel and are placed in a tray similar to a mouthguard. By obtaining the
bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a
custom-fitted
tray specifically designed to fit your teeth. Poorly fitting trays
can
cause gingival irritation and tissue burning.
-- Zoom whitening (power whitening) is a high concentration of hydrogen
peroxide gel coupled with a high intensity light used to whiten the
teeth. This in-office procedure takes approximately one hour. Costing
around $600, the results typically last about three years.

-- Whitening toothpaste. While these will not change the natural color of
teeth, some contain a special chemical or polishing agent to help more
effectively remove stains from the tooth's surface.

Keep in mind that bonded teeth, tooth-colored fillings, crowns and veneers
cannot be whitened. Discolored teeth that have a brown, yellow or grayish hue
may not yield a full whitening effect.

"Since patients should be cautious when seeking tooth whitening procedures,
the first stop should be with their licensed family dentist," said Dr. Joseph
Ross, a PDA member and general dentist from New Castle. "Their dentist can
inform them of the appropriate options available. Tooth whitening kiosks in
malls and shopping centers may not be operated by licensed dentists. Although
tooth whitening is cosmetic in nature, there are biological effects. Only a
trained licensed dentist can properly diagnose and treat tooth
discolorations."

For more information on other oral health topics, visit PDA's Web site at
www.padental.org.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Dental Association

Rachel Damrauer of Pennsylvania Dental Association, +1-717-234-5941, ext. 133,
rsd@padental.org