Title: What You Need to Know about Home Tooth Whitening Word Count: 644 Summary: What You Need to Know about Home Tooth Whitening Keywords: Health/Dental Article Body: What You Need to Know about Home Tooth Whitening It seems as if everybody is getting on the teeth whitening kick. It surely must have started in Hollywood where everyone seems to have beautiful teeth as soon as they have made it big in the industry. Celebrities need to look their best and many people think that they too can look better by having a teeth whitening procedure. Many dentists offer a teeth whitening procedure but it can run into a lot of money. Those that aren’t part of the rich and famous set can have their teeth whitened using a home tooth whitening kit. There are a number of effective and reliable products that are offered over the counter. Which one is best for you can be decided after you have done a bit of research. Who Can Benefit from Home Tooth Whitening? Just about anyone that desires a whiter, brighter smile can benefit from a home tooth whitening kit. The only time it will not be effective is if tooth discoloration is caused by antibiotics such as tetracycline, nerve damage or flourosis. Even if you have flourosis, you can often lighten your teeth a bit if it is not a severe case. Flourosis is the result of having too much fluoride, usually from the water supply, when your teeth were in the developing stages. As long as they are not brown and spotted, you can benefit from home tooth whitening. Is Home Tooth Whitening Safe? As there are a few methods one can use for a home tooth whitening procedure, you can choose the one you feel most comfortable using. Many manufacturers of reputable tooth care products such as toothpaste offer the customer whitening strips to be used on the teeth in the same way as you would use a band aid. They are not as dramatic as a bleach tooth whitening, but they will effectively lighten your teeth by a few shades. A bleaching method to use as a home tooth whitening system is designed for the average user. You don’t have to be skilled in the dental arts in order to use them properly and effectively. There is more than a decade of research that is involved with home tooth whitening using bleaching agents, and as long as you follow the recommended guidelines, your teeth will be quite safe. How Long will it Take for My Teeth to Be White? How long it takes for your teeth to be whitened depends on a couple of factors. The first is how yellowed and discolored your teeth are. It may take longer for severely discolored teeth to begin to look somewhat white. It also depends upon which of the many home products you use. You must take care that you don’t over bleach your teeth, because this is a surefire way to ruin your tooth enamel. Are Their Side Effects I Can Expect? Often the only side effects for someone that uses either a home tooth whitening kit or has it done by a professional is sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and/or food. If you experience any gum irritation in the first few days, it is normal and should subside soon. If you are woman that is pregnant or currently nursing a baby, then a home tooth whitening procedure is not recommended. You should wait until the baby is born and fully weaned from the breast. Having the convenience of many different products that will have your teeth looking better than they do today is great for the average Joe. Not many people can afford the expense of going to a dentist to have it done. Insurance usually doesn’t cover the procedure, but a home teeth whitening system is easily found in any drugstore or market in your area at a price that all can afford.