Everyone wants to have white teeth. Just getting your teeth whitened can make you look up to a decade younger, and people will perceive you as healthy and more attractive. In contrast, yellowish or grayish teeth are associated with advanced age, poor health, and bad hygiene. According to unofficial health polls - as well as simply opening your eyes and looking around - teeth whitening in NYC is growing in popularity and is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry offices. By some estimation, Americans are spending more than $10 billion a year on teeth whitening products and procedures! Who hasn't ever gotten their teeth whitened, either professionally or at home?

While there are numerous teeth whitening products available over-the-counter at any drugstore or discount store, it's probably a good idea to consult with a cosmetic dentist in NYC before purchasing any products. There could be some good over-the-counter products your dentist could recommend. However, many of the over-the-counter whitening agents are abrasive and could end up harming your enamel. This could put you at risk for developing sensitivity to hot and cold, or even getting more dental caries and increased staining. You do not want to damage your enamel during the whitening process because dental enamel does not grow back.

A professional cleaning at your dentist's office can remove surface stains, revealing how much further you need to go to get your teeth totally whitened. Read on to learn the truth about teeth whitening so you can make better decisions about what to do for your smile.

1. Do all teeth whitening products work the same way?

It's a common belief that it doesn't matter whether you get a teeth whitening kit from the drugstore, a teeth whitening toothpaste, or a professional in-office treatment at the dentist's office. However, not all teeth whitening products are the same. According to cosmetic dentists and others who are €in the know€ about the tooth whitening industry, many of the over-the-counter products are harmful to your enamel and some of them simply don't work. In-office treatments are often pricey, and because they tend to rapidly whiten the teeth, oftentimes they can result in sensitivity to hot and cold. The most effective option that is also the safest and produces the most attractive results is a home the system prescribed by your dentist to be used with custom mouth trays. This allows for a gradual whitening process that won't harm enamel, and custom mouth trays won't rub sores on your gums.

2. Does everyone's teeth whiten in the same way? For instance, is there one whitening solution that is best for everyone?

Absolutely not. The interesting thing about teeth whitening is that your age, the health of your teeth, the amount of staining on your teeth, any prescription drugs you may have used such as tetracycline or chemotherapy, genetics, and other factors that affect the way your teeth respond to whitening agents all play a role in determining the best teeth whitening treatment for you. A highly skilled cosmetic dentist can help you understand the many factors involved and provide a good prediction of which treatment will provide the best results for you. In some cases, it may not be a viable solution for you at all. Some people have very thin enamel or no enamel at all, or their teeth are otherwise resistant to whitening. In that case, porcelain veneers are often the best option.

3. When it comes to choosing a teeth whitening solution, is the strongest solution typically the best at getting teeth the whitest?

No. Actually, most cosmetic dentists do not recommend high-strength teeth whitening solutions at all. Very concentrated solutions are notorious for causing damage to the fragile dental enamel and inducing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. The highest strength whitening gels bleach the teeth at such a rapid rate that it's also easy to leave the solution on too long and get your teeth too white. This can make your teeth have the characteristic fluorescent white or €glowing€ appearance that might be desirable at Halloween, but not any other time!

4. All you really need is a whitening toothpaste and whitening mouthwash?

Whitening toothpastes are an excellent choice for maintenance of your whitened teeth. When used twice a day, a good whitening toothpaste can prolong the amount of time your the treatment will last. For instance, instead of having to whiten your teeth every six months, you may only need to whiten once a year if you're using a good whitening toothpaste.