Tooth Whitening
Lighten the natural colour of your teeth

You can browse a list of clinics that provide Teeth Whitening here on RevaHealth.com. If you need any help deciding which clinic to choose, just ask us for help.

Teeth Whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve the overall look of your smile. Once the preserve of movie stars, it is now both affordable and readily available, and there are quite a few options to choose from.

Modern teeth whitening methods are so effective, that almost anyone can get their teeth whitened to a significant degree of brightness, and many treatments can be completed in one visit to the dentist.

What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth Whitening is the process used to improve the brightness of the teeth, which is achieved by removing as much staining as possible. The techniques used range from natural home remedies to chemical and laser teeth whitening methods performed by cosmetic dentists.

The constant build up of organic pigments on the teeth can cause them to discolour over a period of time. These protein pigments derive from the different kinds of food, drink, tobacco and even antibiotics people consume over the years, and cause the natural whiteness of their teeth to be gradually diminished.

The yellowing of the teeth is also a part of the ageing process, and is determined to some extent by genetic and dietary factors. Some people just have naturally brighter enamel than others.

What different types exist?

There are quite a few options available to choose from. Most artificial methods rely on some form of peroxide to remove stains and bleach your teeth white.

When peroxide compounds are used, oxygen is released and bleaches the pigmented substances present in the enamel the teeth. This method restores the natural colour of the teeth without corroding the surface enamel.

Teeth whitening procedures can be performed at a dentist’s office, or in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the popular techniques.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes contain certain mildly abrasive components which help scrub away the surface stains, and leave teeth looking cleaner and whiter. They don’t however have a bleaching action. Whitening toothpastes are generally not as effective as other methods of teeth whitening.

Whitening Strips

Teeth whitening strips come in the form of a sticky tape that may be directly applied across the front the teeth. They contain a bleaching solution that incorporates a peroxide compound, and are usually used twice a day for about half an hour each time. Teeth whitening strips may be bought over-the-counter as well as from your dentist.

Whitening Gels

Teeth whitening gels are also peroxide based, and they are applied over the teeth with a small brush. Self application gel kits are available that can be used at home. The kit usually comes with a peroxide gel-filled mouth tray that is fitted to your teeth. They are simple to use, reasonably affordable, and effective.

Whitening procedures at the Dentist’s Office

A cosmetic dentist can perform this procedure, which involves the direct application of a gel to the teeth under controlled heating, or with the help of a special light or laser, or even a combination of the three.

The procedure will typically last 30 to 60 minutes, and sometimes requires more than one sitting to be properly effective. This procedure will give you quick results, and will be correspondingly more expensive when compared with the home whitening kit.

Gel Treatment under Dental Supervision

This is one of the more popular methods of teeth whitening, and can be slightly more affordable when compared to the procedure performed by a cosmetic dentist.

A custom-made tooth tray containing carbamide peroxide gel is be provided. This is considered to be more effective than treatment using hydrogen peroxide, and reaches virtually every contour of teeth, rendering them as white as possible.

The method of usage is similar to that of a teeth whitening gel kit, and the tray supplied can be reused later as and when required.

How safe are Tooth whitening methods?

A vast body of research has been done on the efficacy and safety aspects of the teeth whitening methods that are in use today, and they have been reported to be quite safe. Modern techniques rarely give rise to sensitive gums or other side effects, and qualified dentists are quite emphatic that tooth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available.

The effects of tooth whitening typically last for one to two years, and sometimes longer depending on your dental hygiene and dietary habits

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The costs can vary depending upon location and the type of whitening treatment selected. Here are some sample prices from the UK.

Teeth whitening toothpastes are priced at £4.50 to £14.50 for a tube of 4.2oz. They contain a protein pellicle to which plaque, stains and bacteria adhere and get eliminated while rinsing.

A tooth whitening gel kit is usually priced at around £100.

Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures cost around about £250 on average.

When having the whitening treatment performed by a cosmetic dentist, the cost depends upon the number of sittings required to get the teeth whitened to a significant degree. Most often, dental insurance will not cover the cost of a teeth whitening procedure.

Laser teeth whitening is likely to be priced at over £500.

Dentists in Mexico
Save yourself up to 70% on cosmetic dentistry in Mexico

Mexican Dentistry

Dentists in Mexico can equal the best available across the world. The Asociación Dental Mexicana has over 50 years experience regulating its members and encourages continuing education and high ethical standards. Many Mexican dentists will also belong to the American Dental Association, benefiting from its training programs and keeping up to date with the latest in dental technologies.

Our three most popular dental clinics are:

Benefits of Travelling to Mexico

Perhaps the most obvious benefits of Mexico as a dental destination for Americans is its proximity and its low costs. A short car journey can put Califorians in the middle of one of the highest densities of dental clinics in the world.

Too much choice can be confusing, and with irregular federal oversight you need to know what to look for. Good dentists regularly attend courses to update their skills. Joining dental associations, whether Mexican or American is a good indication that a dentist is dedicated to their continuing professional development. Check the staff sections of clinics to see the academic work and practical training the dentists have completed.

Lower labour costs and cheaper office space allow Mexico's dentists to offer comparable treatments to their U.S neighbours at a very competitive cost. Our most popular destination in Mexico is currently Tijuana

Dentists in Mexico - Price Guide

The following price guide indicates estimated cost of Dentistry in Mexico. Please note that this is a guide only and you should always check with your dentist directly.

*Exchange rates from 08/2007

Dentists in Mexico - Qualifications

Dental training and certification in Mexico is very similar to the United States. Study takes five years: four years of dental school followed by a one year internship and the passing of a professional exam.

Though there is no mandatory continuing education, many Mexican dentists avail of training courses run locally, in the U.S or Europe. There are 50 dental schools, regulated by the federal government.

There are 9 recognized dental specialties in Mexico including Endodontics, Periodontics and Orthodontics.

Dentists in Mexico - Additional Information

Organizations

All dentists must posses a certificate of graduation from a licenced educational institution.The title of dentist is confered at a federal level allowing free movement of dentists through the country.

The Asociación Dental Mexicana was established in 1942. The Consejo de Certificación de la Asociación Dental Mexicana registers Mexican dentists and the Asociación is more broadly responsible for the ethical and educational development of dentistry in Mexico. Certification with the ADM is not manditory.

Dental Ethics

Members of the ADM are bound by its code of ethics that stipulates the duties of dental surgeons. In common with the U.S and E.U these clarify the duty of a dentist to do no harm, look after the ongoing health of the patient, guard the confidentiality of client information and pass that information on to another dentist at the request of the patient.

Complaints

Ethical and procedural complaints can be passed to the ADM if the performing dentist is a member. Recourse through the courts is difficult and time consuming.

Continuing education

The ADM believes in the principle of continuous education for dentists. There is a process of recertification every 5 years which involves an examination of dental skills: all ADM members should have a copy of their certification valid for the current period.

Data Protection

There is data protection legislation in place in Mexico with specific categories for medical records. The ethical responsibilities of dental surgeons for the management of records include additional duties (see the dental ethics section above).

Resources

The Asociación Dental Mexicana
http://www.adm.org.mx
Ethical Code (Spanish)
etica.html