Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, has become extremely popular over the last several years. It’s a great way to improve your appearance, it’s reasonably priced, non-surgical and non-invasive.

As with everything else, teeth whitening isn’t perfect and it isn’t for everyone. Before you decide to have your teeth whitened, you should talk with your dentist. Your dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. Knowing the facts can help you with your decision also:

• Teeth Whitening Fact #1Teeth whitening procedures are not covered by most dental insurance plans.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #2Tooth colored fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers will not lighten when your teeth are bleached.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #3Teeth whitening toothpastes can make your teeth appear a little lighter by removing stains, but they do not actually bleach your teeth.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #4Teeth whitening does not produce the same results on all types of teeth discoloration. Someone with yellow tinted teeth would probably have great results with bleaching, while someone with gray tinted teeth might be disappointed because gray tinted teeth don’t bleach as well.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #5Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are common side effects of teeth whitening treatments.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #6If you have any cavities, they should be filled before you have your teeth whitened.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #7Teeth whitening kits from the dentist produce faster results because they contain a stronger peroxide bleaching agent than whitening kits purchased over the counter.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #8Touch ups are usually needed to maintain your desired shade, depending upon habits such as smoking, drinking coffee and tea and eating certain foods which will stain your teeth.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #9People with gum disease shouldn’t get their teeth whitened.

• Teeth Whitening Fact #10It’s a good idea to have a dental cleaning prior to having your teeth whitened to remove surface stains.

While it is important to maintain good oral habits in children, it is equally important to understand and break the bad habits. Going to bed with a bottle, thumb / finger sucking and swallowing toothpaste are some examples of bad dental habits in children.

Going to Bed With a Bottle

The result of sending a child to bed with a bottle of anything other than water is severe tooth decay (cavities). The sugar from the fluid in the bottle stays on the teeth for long periods of time causing the bacteria on the child’s teeth and the sugar to mix. This mixture forms a type of acid that eats through the enamel and makes cavities. Dentists sometimes use the term “bottle Mouth” to describe the mouth of a child that has been sent to bed repeatedly with a bottle. This is not an easy habit to break, but it can be done. If your child is taking a bottle to bed, try diluting the liquid down a little each night until the end result is just water.

Thumb / Finger Sucking

Thumb and /or finger sucking is a bad habit because it could cause the child to have buck teeth, which could eventually require orthodontic treatment. Most children will stop this habit on their own between ages 2 and 4, however, it is much easier to break any habit when it first begins.

Swallowing Toothpaste

Getting your child to brush their teeth everyday is a major accomplishment for both the child and the parent. A bad habit that children generally pick up is using too much toothpaste and swallowing a lot of it. The result is too much fluoride is ingested into the child’s body. This can cause a condition known as Fluorosis, where white or brown spots can form on the teeth in severe cases.

This is actually a bad habit that is fairly easy to break. Try spending some time with the child explaining that a pea size drop of toothpaste is adequate and teach them how to brush and rinse and spit properly. After a few times, they will generally get the hang of it.

Always discuss any concerns you might have with your child’s dentist. Understanding and breaking these habits will put you and your child on the right path to establishing a good oral hygiene regimen.