Flash those 32 Pearly Whites

We have seen actress Madhuri Dixit flash her toothy smile in a popular tooth paste advertisement where she talks about getting white teeth.As we age so do our teeth. This is quite visible when the discoloration sets in and they tend to turn yellow. This also makes us look older than we actually are and for this there are a number of products available to whiten your teeth. These tooth whiteners contain bleaching agents like peroxide which help whiten the teeth.

Before you bleach for the first time

A first-timer should always consult her dentist before trying any tooth whitener, even an over-the-counter product, because not all teeth react to whitening the same way.

If you have any of these types of dental implants like caps, crowns, and veneers, don't take to lightening because peroxide can't penetrate them. Stains caused by antibiotics, like tetracycline, are also tricky, because they can occur in the layers inside the tooth, which brighteners can't reach. Your dentist will be able to advise you about the best method for you.

How whiteners work

All bleaching methods use peroxide--whether in gel, strip, or liquid form--to dissolve surface stains to whiten teeth, explains Debra Glassman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Teeth surfaces are made up of thousands of tiny dentinal tubules--hollow structures stacked horizontally, like thin straws. They're extremely porous and ab­sorb pigments from food and drink. (Anything that can stain a white T-shirt can discolor your teeth, Glassman says.) Peroxide bubbles into the tubules and lightens those pigments.

So if have decided to go for whitening your teeth , go with the above added awareness and what's more is that a Columbia University Study found that women with healthier-looking teeth earn more than those with less sparkling grins. Something to motivate you to get those flashy pearls of white!