In our growing world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening is a very sought after procedure. Generally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments can be available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.

Whether in the form of a one-hour bleaching session at your dentist's office, or in home use bleaching kits purchased at your local Wal-Mart or drug store, teeth whitening solutions are very popular. Unfortunately, only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and what is more, misinformation on the subject is everywhere.

The basic idea of teeth whitening is that it does work. Virtually every person who opts to do this cosmetic treatment will see a moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of his or her smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and will require maintenance or touch-ups for a lasting effect.

Bleaching vs. Whitening, What is the Difference?

According to the FDA, the term bleaching is permitted and to only be used when the teeth need to be whitened beyond their natural color. This will apply strictly to products that contain bleach, typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

However, the term whitening, on the other hand, can refer to restoring a tooth's surface color by removing all dirt and debris. Therefore, any product that will clean (like a toothpaste) would be considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds much better than bleaching, so it will be more frequently used even when describing products that do contain bleach.

Why Do You Want to Whiten Your Teeth?

Most of us will start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel has been designed to protect the teeth from the ongoing effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar and other common foods. Unfortunately, over the years enamel becomes worn down, becoming more transparent thus permitting the yellow color of dentin and the tooth's core material to eventually show through.

During routine chewing, dentin will remain intact while millions of micro-cracks will occur in the enamel. It is those cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that will gradually fill up with stains and food particles. As a result, the teeth will eventually develop a dull, lackluster like appearance.

Teeth whitening will remove the stains and debris thus leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of these cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others will be filled up again with organic debris.

How Can I Maintain My New Whiter Smile?

To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, dentists will be likely to recommend:

At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening that will be implemented immediately or performed as infrequently as once a year.

You will need to avoid dark colored foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening.

Whenever possible, sipping dark colored beverages with a straw.

Practicing excellent oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime.