All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

We keep whitening our teeth and replacing them with crowns; one day they may just fall out, cries the "tooth fairy." Too much whitening and veneers can cause problems in the future for your pearly whites.

Why can over-the-counter products hurt our teeth? Too much caustic hydrogen peroxide, which is what is in the bleaching or whitening process, can harm your teeth. I recently found a new lightener that is able to heal the gum tissue; it is a whitening tooth lightener but does not have a caustic heat problem. Unlike the over-the-counter bleaches, I use a natural food oil which is now patent pending, "Camellia Seed flavored with Lavender/Eucalyptus/and the new Peppermint."

The best over-the-counter whitening toothpastes are the baking soda toothpastes. Arm and Hammer has the best whitening over the counter toothpaste on the market. So many toothpastes claim they will keep your teeth white, but it is the abrasive that is how they market the "whitening" in their toothpaste. You do not want abrasive toothpaste because that will take the enamel veneer off your teeth, leaving a yellowish color to come through in the near future. Enamel is a veneer and underneath the enamel is dentin, which is yellow. The old adage "Long in the tooth" may be common in the near future for all who are using caustic products to whiten their teeth. The peroxide that is used to whiten also eats away at the fragile gum tissue. Bright Smile and Zoom has to use a plastic protector so that your gums do not get harmed; but the protector is caustic as well. The plastic dam is placed over the tissue and removed after the procedure. Many people leave the dental office with sensitive teeth and gums after a whitening procedure. Please be careful about the procedures you are using.

Simple natural products can whiten your teeth.

It is difficult to eliminate everything that can stain your teeth but if you brush at least two times a day and use an oral irrigator, your teeth will stay white. You might be surprised when I suggest that grinding and clenching can darken your teeth - it can. You can remove the enamel from your teeth if you grind and clench.

For that bright white smile try the natural approach and present your smile with the love that alone will brighten your teeth.

For more information: call: Sandra Senzon R.D.H. Tooth Spa, 405 Lexington Ave Suite 6900 New York, N.Y. Call (212) 684-1844.

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