Along with brushing, flossing your teeth regularly is one of the most effective methods for fighting plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Diligent flossing helps remove plaque and debris from tight spaces and in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach. Skipping or neglecting to floss all together can lead to serious problems for your teeth - the plaque continues to build up and eventually causes tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated.

Now that you know the importance of flossing, there are several things to consider when choosing a dental floss. Browse the oral hygiene section of your local drugstore and you're bound to be faced with a number of decisions. Floss comes in all types of varieties. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing a dental floss:
1.    Waxed. Waxed floss has a coating on it that makes it easier for many people to slide the floss between tight teeth or tight restorations. Waxed floss is also not prone to shredding, as weaved floss is. However, some claim that waxed floss leaves a residue on the teeth.
2.    Unwaxed. Unwaxed, or weaved, tends to make a squeaking sound that lets you know your teeth are clean. However, this type of floss tends to tear and shred, and these pieces can get snagged in the teeth.
3.    Flavored. The flavoring of the floss has no real bearing on the effectiveness of the floss itself; it simply makes the process a little more pleasant. Floss comes in all sorts of flavors, such as cinnamon and mint, as well as plain.
4.    Dental tape. Dental tape is wider than floss and can also effectively clean between the teeth. This is recommended for people who have large gaps in their teeth or who have dentures or bridges.
5.    Flossing picks. Flossing picks are holders for floss that allow you to floss your teeth with just one hand. These are good for people whose manual dexterity is limited, or those who only have use of one hand.

Flossing alternatives
If you have difficulty flossing or for one reason or another would rather not, you can discuss flossing options with your dentist. Some people have sensitive gums, which can make flossing painful. Water picks are one option and use powerful tiny bursts of water to blast away food particles and other debris in certain areas of your mouth. Dentists use these water picks when preparing a tooth for restoration, or in general cleaning and exams.

In addition, you can also try a rinse. Antibacterial rinses, found either over the counter or by a prescription by your dentist, can also be effective means of getting rid of plaque between the teeth if flossing is too painful.

When it comes down to it, it's all a personal preference, as floss types are about equal when it comes to removing plaque. Flossing is a necessary part of dental hygiene, so it's important to find a floss you are comfortable with and you know you will use.

It is estimated that Americans pay about $600 million a year for tooth whitening.  It is true that your dentist can whiten your teeth but it will cost you about $500-$1000.  If you are looking to get that white smile but don't want to pay the high dentist's office prices, you may want to consider an off the shelf tooth whitening system. 

Off the shelf tooth whitening kits can start for as little as $15.  Of course different whitening systems will take longer to see results.  Likewise tooth whitening results will fade depending on whether or not you have a heavy cigarette, coffee, or red wine habit.

Most whitening agents will used either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide bleach as their active ingredient.  The potency of these bleaches are far less than what your dentist can use, that is why they are more affordable.  At home tooth whitening kits are designed to work on yellowish teeth as opposed to gray teeth (grey teeth are typically the result of something other than external staining). 

5 main warnings for choosing an off the shelf tooth whitening system:

1.    Tooth whitening agents are not going to make your teeth any whiter than they were when you cut your first tooth. 
2.    Tooth whiteners will whiten only natural teeth, not caps, crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures.
3.    Tooth whitening results are not permanent.  The process will need to be repeated about every 6 months
4.    Brush on and strip whitening applicators can leave splotches and miss the nooks and crannies in your teeth.  For most uniform whitening use an application where the whitening agent is put in a tray that forms around your teeth.
5.    Ask your dentist's advice before choosing an at home tooth whitening kit.  He may be able to suggest a type and brand that would work best for your specific whitening concerns.

Minimize your risk
    Do not use a tooth whitening system if you have gum irritation, a deep cavity or a toothache.  Using the whitening agent on these sensitive areas will result in a great deal of pain.
    Be sure to read and follow the instructions for use shown on the product label. Current clinical studies show that home tooth whitening products are not harmful when used as directed.
    Do not use a tooth whitening product for more than 14 days without consulting a dental professional.
    If you experience tooth sensitivity while using a whitening system, try the following:
1.    Cut your use of the whitening system to half of the recommended time (i.e. wear the whitener for 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes).
2.    Discontinue use of the whitener for two or three days, then resume use.
3.    Stop using the whitener and consult a dentist.
    If you've had dental problems, infections or recent work on your teeth, or if you already suffer from tooth sensitivity, you are at a greater risk to have sensitivity and other tooth whitening complications.  If this is your situation, talk to your dental professional before using a tooth whitener.
    If you are pregnant, have mouth or gum disease or have teeth stained by medication, you should not use tooth whiteners.
    In the event of an adverse reaction, stop using the product!!!
    Sometimes it is appropriate to seek medical attention for your adverse reaction.
    Keep the product you were using when you had the adverse reaction.  It is helpful to the medical professional who will be helping you.

In an ideal setting, we would be able to brush out teeth after every meal or after every time we ate sweets. However, we clearly do not live in a world, or have lives that allow this to happen.

As a general rule, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste and toothbrush or after eating sugary substances. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. The correct technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. In addition, you should floss to get between the teeth.

However, this is usually not always possible. Eating out, eating in the car, traveling, and grabbing a bite on the run make it difficult to brush our teeth after we put anything in our mouth. There is good reason to be concerned with keeping teeth clean when brushing isn't a possibility. Sugar and food particles that build up on the teeth turn to an acid that slowly erodes the enamel, leading to decay and painful, costly dental procedures like fillings and even root canals.

If you don't always have access to your toothbrush, here are some tips for keeping your teeth clean when you can't brush:
1.    Chew gum. While it's not as good as brushing, chewing sugar-free gum is actually a good way to clean teeth of plaque and even food particles after eating. It also freshens breath.
2.    Floss. It's not a bad idea to keep some floss in your purse or car. Now, you can buy floss on a little pick that is portable and more convenient to use, so you don't have to worry about pulling out a long thread of floss. Once you're done with the small pick, you just toss it in the trash.
3.    Keep mouthwash on hand. While many mouthwashes are just made to mask the odor, usually for about 30 minutes. A mouthwash that contains ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, sanguinarine, and phenolic compounds will work to reduce the bacteria in the mouth, making breath fresher for up to 8 hours or more. In addition, look for a mouthwash with fluoride, an ingredient that will help strengthen the teeth, and anti-tartar agents, which reduce the amount of tartar build-up in your mouth.
4.    Rinse with water. If you don't have access to anything but water, that's fine too - swishing water around in your mouth can also help to clean teeth and remove surface food particles.
5.    Consider using tooth wipes. There are textured tooth wipes you can purchase at the drugstores that work well for cleaning your teeth while you wait to get to a toothbrush. These don't require any liquid; you simply rub them on the surface of your teeth.

Keeping teeth clean is the most important way to prevent tooth decay. But when it's not possible to brush your teeth, the above tips will help you to get your teeth as clean as possible until you can brush them.

If you are a smoker and are looking to avoid all of the oral problems that you have or will have, there is only one suggestion that will work every time - quit smoking.  Once you start doing damage to your teeth and gums because of your smoking habit, there are few things that can be done to stop the deterioration in your oral health.  Quitting smoking and taking care of your teeth through dental hygiene and regular dental visits are usually all most people need to keep their teeth healthy.

1.    Quit - No other single action is more beneficial to your health (in general not just as it pertains to your teeth) that to quit smoking. You are probably aware that the carcinogens resulting from smoking have been shown to cause cancer, emphysema, angina, COPD, heart disease and the list goes on.  Quitting smoking can actually prevent the onset of even more diseases as those who smoke compromise their immune system and make themselves more susceptible to diseases that may not even be smoking related.  The bottom line is that a constant smoker will eventually cause so much damage to their teeth, gums and the rest of their mouth, that they will begin loosing their teeth.  Obviously there is no better way to keep your teeth healthy than to ensure that you are going to keep your teeth - period.
2.    See Your Dentist - Dentists recognize that they are often in a good position to help their patients to stop smoking.  This is because dentists tend to be visited more routinely than regular general practitioners.  Dentists are obviously very aware of the negative effects that smoking has on oral health.  Your dentists is actually very well qualified to counsil you on the specific risks that you face and are also the first line of defense when it comes to detecting oral cancers.  Your dentist can provide you with an oral cancer examination at your request. 
3.    Eat A Healthy Diet - Eating healthy, smoking and tooth loss are all related in an interesting way.  Smoking reduces flow to the gums and cuts the supply of vital nutrients.  Specifically, vitamin C levels decrease.  Therefore, it is important to supplement this loss by eating more foods with vitamin C.  Smoking however will also cause damage to your teeth to the point that eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables becomes more difficult as things like apples and carrots are hard to chew when your teeth are loose and rotting (as is the case with smokers).  So, not only are you hurting your teeth by smoking but you are also hurting your chances for fighting back by weakening all of your defenses. 
4.    Keep Them Clean - Stained teeth, brown hairy tongue and bad breath are just a few of the problems that smokers face.  This is because smoking compromises your saliva flow and function. Saliva is important for cleaning the lining of the mouth and teeth.  A clean mouth is better protected from decay.  If you cannot quit smoking today, the least that you can do for your teeth is to keep them as clean as possible.
5.    Help Your Kids - Recent studies that show that children who are raised in households where one or both adults smoke are more likely to develop tooth decay.  If keeping your own teeth healthy is not incentive enough to quit smoking, hopefully protecting the health of your children will be.  Long-term studies have shown that smoking can cause gum disease, bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Help protect your kids from the terrible diseases that your smoking habit is making them susceptible to.

When someone thinks of the disadvantages of having dentures it is hard not to think of the stereotypical old man loosing his "champers" into his bowl of soup or having a toddler shriek with horror after finding the dentures floating in a cup next to the sink.   Whatever denture wearer fears you have, you can make sure that they do not become reality.  There are ways to prevent the need for dentures later in life by doing what it takes to keep your teeth healthy now!

1.    Proper diet full of calcium - Calcium is a huge contributor to dental health.  Calcium is just as important for your teeth as it is for your bones.  In a person of good health 99% of calcium goes straight to reinforcing bones and teeth.  The other 1% is stored in the blood and used for muscle regulation.  When someone does not have enough calcium, the body withdraws stored calcium from the bones to make sure that the blood has enough calcium to perform its function.  When teeth are robbed of necessary strength, they become brittle and weak.  Broken teeth become more difficult to fix as one ages (due to previous breaks, slower healing, etc.) and sometimes the only option is to replace the tooth with a denture. 

2.    Brushing and flossing - When you brush and floss your teeth regularly you are cleaning away the potential for needing dentures.  Cleaning your teeth is needed in order to wash away the plaque that forms on teeth.  Plaque provides a nice adherent surface for tartar.  Tartar is bad because it eats away at the enamel (or protective layer) of your teeth and will eventually cause cavities to form.  When cavities exist the strength of the tooth is compromised because a cavity is really deterioration.  Too many cavities over many years can wear your teeth down so much that there is no longer health tooth for the filling to adhere to and dentures must be worn instead.

3.    Regular dentist's visits - regular dental visits (twice a year) not only provide you with a teeth cleaning that you can not do on your own (dentists and hygienists use special tools to remove plaque above and below the gum line) but they are also important in the early detection of diseases.  Periodontal disease can be caught and treated in its earliest stages by your dentist.  As part of your individualized care, your dentist is most aware of your particular dental needs and can council you on specific things that you can do to improve your dental situation.  In addition, most insurance companies also recognize the benefits of regular preventative dental care and will cover these costs completely.  So really, there is no reason not to see your dentist as often as you should.

4.    Avoid injury use mouth guard - Many times those who wear dentures do not have to do so because of poor hygiene or excessive candy eating.  Many people loose teeth that cannot be replaced because of an accident or injury.  This is why it is a good idea to wear a protective mouth guard while engaging in any potentially dangerous athletic event.  When we are young, many of us have an attitude of invincibility.  Unfortunately, even the healthiest of teeth are susceptible to injury.  Although many times a broken tooth can be fixed, there are those time when the injury is permanent and an artificial tooth (or teeth) is needed.

5.    Do not smoke of otherwise use tobacco - If you want to get on the fast track to destroying your teeth, start or keep smoking.  Research shows that those who are long-time smokers have up to three times as many dental problems as those who do not smoke.  This includes periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease has connection with heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems and complications with low-birth weight babies.  Smoking is the worst thing that you can do if you want to prevent the need for dentures later in life.

You finally made that big decision that you need dental implants.  Maybe you've lost several teeth as an adult or maybe you had very crooked and deformed teeth that you wanted to replace.  Whatever your reasons may be, the day of the surgery is coming up and you're wondering what you should expect from the surgery and the recovery that comes afterwards.  Keep reading this article and you'll learn 5 helpful tips for recovery after dental implants.

Dental implants are an ideal solution for people who have a missing tooth or teeth, but have good dental health in every other way.  Implants are strong and natural looking and can improve general oral health, allowing the patient to bite and chew normally, improves the overall appearance of your mouth, decreases changes of gum disease and improves speech. 

How is it done?  The patient must visit either an oral surgeon or a dentist trained in implants.  A screw is surgically implanted into the bone of the jaw to hold the tooth in place.  After that implantation is healed, the dentist will place the tooth implant restoration over the screw.  For the restoration, the dentist will make an impression of the existing teeth and will then create a tooth designed specifically to fit in the space, matching the shape and size of the remaining healthy teeth.  Once the implant is placed, the dentist or oral surgeon will shape and adjust the tooth to fit your bite. 

However, after the placement of the screw in the jaw bone, your bone and the surrounding gums may be tender and swollen.  Recovery usually takes between 3 and 6 weeks.  Recovery also depends on the type and number of implants placed and the condition of your oral healthy before surgery. 

Here are some suggestions of how to combat the pains of recovery.

1.    Ibuprofen:  Yes, it always seems to be the miracle drug.  But in this situation, ibuprofen may be one of your best allies against tenderness and swelling.  Ibuprofen will reduce the swelling and help to numb the pain.  Be sure to consult your dentist or surgeon concerning your dosage.
2.     No smoking: If you are a smoker, you must avoid smoking during this period of time, as it can cause dry socket (this is when a blood clot is dislodged from a surgery site, exposing the bone and nerve endings.  The area can become infected if removed).  Smoking decreases the blood supply to that area, injures the gum tissue and the pressure of sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site. 
3.    Avoid drinking through a straw: The sucking action from drinking through a straw can also cause dry socket
4.    Proper oral hygiene: Just like always, proper oral hygiene is essential, especially after oral surgery.  Be sure to continue brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis, with special care given to the area of the implant (be gentle).  You should also continue to eat a balanced diet.  Although for the first few days after the surgery your ability to chew on the side of your mouth where the implant is may be inhibited. 
5.    Mouthwash: Using mouthwash along with brushing may be a necessary addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.  Since you won't be able to brush the area of the implant very well, many people choose to use mouthwash in order to help clean the implant. 

If you've just had a root canal or filling, you may be experiencing extra sensitivity to temperatures or pressure on your tooth.  Here are some suggestions to help avoid such unpleasantness.

1.    Avoid very hot liquids.  If your tooth has become sensitive to temperatures, it only makes sense to try to limit those extreme temperatures.  This is not to say that all of your drinks should be lukewarm.  Just be careful.
2.    Avoid very cold liquids.  If your tooth throbs when eating ice cream, perhaps you should avoid it for a while. 
3.    Be careful what you eat.  If your tooth is much more sensitive than before, be careful what kinds of food you eat.  For example, taffy on a freshly filled tooth is probably not the smartest idea.
4.    Take an anti-inflammatory.  Taking ibuprofen or Tylenol may be able to alleviate some of you discomfort.  As always, consult your dentist before beginning your own pain management.
5.    If you've just had a white composite filling and have been experiencing sensitivity for several weeks, you may want to visit your dentist.  Sometimes sensitivity is caused by an imperfect seal between the filling and the tooth.  If so, your dentist will be able to fix it. 

One of the least pleasant aspects of good oral health is getting a filling or a root canal done.  True, they are necessary.  Usually having a filling or root canal does make you feel better overall.  But when you have first had it done, you are often uncomfortable and grumpy.  It's more difficult to brush your teeth, chew and maybe even speak.  One thing that can be helped, however, is tooth sensitivity.  By reading this article you will learn 5 ways to avoid tooth sensitivity after getting a filling or a root canal.

First of all, let's talk about what actually happens when you get a filling or a root canal.

A filling is a way to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay (also known as a cavity) back to its normal function and shape.  When you need to get a filling, the dentist first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the infected area and then fills the newly cleaned out cavity with a filling material.  This prevents bacteria from entering the tooth cavity and also prevents further decay. 

There are two main types of filling material: silver amalgam or white composite.  Silver amalgam fillings are silver in color, very strong and can withstand heavy biting pressure.  They are relatively inexpensive and covered by most insurance companies.  They contain metals, including mercury, and can leave your teeth rather sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.  White composite fillings are white, strong, and are made of acrylic and glass particles (no mercury).  They look natural in one's mouth, and are less stress on your teeth as the dentist does not need to remove as much healthy tooth with composite fillings compared to amalgam fillings. 

Root canals are the long passages full of soft tissue and dentin of the tooth.  When you get a "root canal" you're getting something similar to a filling, but more serious.  Sometimes the roots of the tooth become cracked or infected and so the dentist must do a root canal.  In order to save the tooth, a dentist removes the inner-most aspects of a tooth, specifically the "pulp tissue," or nerves.  Once that is done, s/he fills the now empty cavity with a filling material and then seals up the openings.  Sometimes a crown (or a covering) must be placed over the tooth, if enough of the tooth has been damaged.  No matter what extent of work is done, you want to be sure to take measures to avoid tooth sensitivity afterward.

As we age, the calcium reserves in our bodies slowly become depleted, and if nothing is done to combat that, bones weaken and become brittle, leading to a condition called osteoporosis. However, it's not just our bones that become weak - our teeth also need calcium and proper care in order to stay strong. If they are neglected, they too become weak and more prone to decay, breakage, and eventually will fall out.

But there are a number of things you can do to ensure your teeth remain strong. The following are some helpful tips that keep your teeth stay healthy and strong as you age:
1.    Brush regularly and properly. Sometimes, after a long and exhausting day, it's tempting to just go to bed without brushing your teeth. However, regular, proper brushing is the best way to keep your teeth healthy and strong and free of decay. You should be brushing at least twice a day, and your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Proper brushing technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. It might be a good idea to consider purchasing an electric toothbrush as well, as they are more effective at removing plaque from teeth.
2.    Floss. In conjunction with brushing, flossing regularly is the most effective way to keep your teeth healthy. You should be flossing at least once a day to remove the plaque and build-up from the places your toothbrush can't reach, as the main cause of cavities inside the teeth are from not flossing.
3.    Visit the dentist regularly. The longest you should go without seeing the dentist is a year at most; at least twice a year is recommended. Regular check-ups will include a cleaning, which removes tartar and plaque build-up from the teeth, preventing decay and gum disease. In addition, visiting the dentist regularly will also help the dentist to catch any problems and correct them before they become worse.
4.    Fluoride. Fluoride, which is often found in regular drinking water, is one of the best ways to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay. In addition to drinking fluoridated water, your toothpaste should also contain fluoride. Fluoride rinses are available as well from the drugstore or from your dentist.
5.    Avoid sugary foods. Foods high in sugar and fat are terrible for the teeth and will wear them down with time. When sucrose, the main ingredient in sugar, mixes with saliva, it clings to the teeth and eats away at it. Sugary foods and juices should be consumed sparingly, and you should brush or chew sugarless gum after eating.
6.    Eat the right foods. On the contrary, foods high in calcium like low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt as well as fruits and vegetables, will help keep your teeth strong.

By brushing and flossing regularly, making regular visits to the dentist, and eating the right foods, you can be sure your teeth will stay healthy and strong your whole life.

Mouthwash is a great way to make your mouth feel clean and fresh. Many people use mouthwash as part of their oral hygiene routine, usually to eliminate bad breath. Mouthwash is a liquid solution that you can swish around in your mouth or gargle, usually after you brush your teeth, in order to cover the teeth, gums, and tongue. It is then spit out.

However, not all mouthwashes are created equal. Mouthwash has a number of different uses. Some are useful in temporarily masking bad breath and rinsing the mouth of certain types of bacteria. Others have more helpful purposes and actually coat the teeth with fluoride to help strengthen them as well as prevent tooth decay. The following tips will help you to make your mouthwash more effective:
1.    Choose a mouthwash that will kill bacteria. Mouthwashes that contain mostly water and alcohol are not as effective as mouthwashes that actually kill the bacteria. Cosmetic mouthwashes with water and alcohol will simply mask the odor, usually for about 30 minutes. A mouthwash with ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, sanguinarine, and phenolic compounds will actually reduce bacteria in the mouth, making breath fresher for up to 8 hours or more.
2.    Make sure the mouthwash has fluoride. Fluoride is an ingredient that will help strengthen the teeth, as enamel naturally wears with age. The fluoride coating will also help prevent tooth decay.
3.    Choose a mouthwash with anti-tartar agents. Ingredients such as zinc citrate act as anti-tartar agents, which make the mouthwash more effective by reducing the amount of tartar build-up in your mouth. When tartar builds up in the mouth, it can usually only be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
4.    Use mouthwash as a supplement, not a replacement. Mouthwash is the most effective when used regularly along with brushing and flossing. It is not effective in removing plaque build-up itself, so make sure you are brushing and flossing before using mouthwash.
5.    Make sure it is recommended. The American Dental Association is an organization of dental experts that test products and their effectiveness. Make sure your mouthwash has the ADA seal of acceptance on it, which means it has been endorsed by these experts.
6.    Consider a prescription mouthwash. The strongest mouthwashes you can get will be those your dentist prescribes. These are generally for people who have special needs that regular, over the counter products won't be able to meet, such as severely sensitive gums or halitosis (chronic bad breath). If regular mouthwashes just don't seem to be doing the job, consider discussing the possibility of a prescription mouthwash with your dentist.

The above tips will help to make your mouthwash more effective. Companies who manufacture mouthwashes you can buy in the drugstore sometimes claim that they are an effective way to clean teeth and kill bacteria, but dentists give conflicting reviews. These mouthwashes may kill bacteria, but it's usually only very temporary. Keep in mind the tips to make your mouthwash more effective, and you will have fresh breath all day.

Everyone knows that one of the first things that people notice about you is your teeth.  They are seen when you talk, sing, smile, and sometimes even when you sleep (if you're one of those that leaves their mouth open when you sleep).  Everyone wants to have nice looking teeth.  And having white, crisp and clean looking teeth is especially desirable.  Maybe you've tried one of those home whitening systems that are available at most grocery stores or supermarkets.  They usually work fairly well, but there are some advantages of dentist teeth whitening systems.  This article aims to tell you exactly what those advantages are.

There are many options for teeth whitening, including bleach trays, white strips, paint-on whiteners and professional teeth whitening systems.  Let's look at each option in turn.

Bleach Trays
    Bleach trays are a teeth whitening technique that involves the use of a plastic "bleaching tray" that is filled with a special whitening gel and then placed over your teeth.  The tray is worn each day (often at night) for several weeks while the effects of the bleaching process take place.  They are a very effective way to gain whiter teeth, but can be messy since you're working with gel.  Also, the gel does not taste very good and so many people find bleach trays uncomfortable. 

White Strips
    Teeth whitening strips offer a unique way to whiten your teeth.  This type of whitening system yields similar results to bleach trays, but do not have the hassles associated with the use of gel and trays.  Strips come pre-cut to fit your teeth and have the gel already applied on the strip.  They are usually used for a few weeks before results are seen.  White strips are available over-the-counter at a very reasonable price.  Similar to bleach trays, the gel on the strips does not taste very good, but are worth the hassle for the results.

Paint-on Whiteners
    Paint-on whiteners are an interesting whitening option.  To use this kind of whitener, you brush a "paint" like substance onto your teeth using a small brush and then leave it in place for at least 30 minutes.  Most people leave it on overnight.  The best results occur when the teeth have been dried off before applying the paint. 

Dentist teeth whitening systems
    First of all, you may be wondering what the main differences are between dentist teeth whitening systems and home care systems.  Dentist teeth whitening systems are performed by a professional dentist in a dentist's office.  They use professional strength bleaching gels that you can't get over-the-counter.

Here is a list of some of the advantages of using dentist teeth whitening systems:
    Professional teeth whitening systems get your teeth whiter immediately.  This differs from home whitening systems that can take weeks to show any change. 
    Professional teeth whitening systems get your teeth a brighter white than you might see with at home whitening systems
    The results of dentist teeth whitening systems last longer than the results of at home systems

Before beginning any type of whitening system, you should talk to your dentist about what would be right for you.  S/he may say that at home systems will be perfectly safe and effective for you.  However, you may have certain dental situations that would be better off with a professional whitening system.