White teeth

With a variety of tooth whitening methods available, whitening your teeth has never been more accessible. Are you dreaming of a white smile? Before considering whitening your teeth, book an appointment for a check-up and cleaning with your dentist. Surface stains will need to be removed before whitening to achieve optimum results. Your dentist will then determine if you are a candidate for tooth whitening.

Are You a Candidate for Tooth Whitening?

Not everyone can use tooth whitening solution. Circumstances that may prevent the use of tooth whitening product are:

• Teeth that have restorations , such as veneers or having been bonded with white fillings, cannot be whitened with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These materials do not whiten past the color they were originally made. The color of these types of restorations were determined by the surrounding teeth. If the surrounding teeth are whitened, the restorations will stand out and look artificial. Replacing old or discolored restorations will allow you to change their appearance.
• Teeth that have internal staining, discoloration from developmental conditions or have been root canalled may not be affected by the typical whitening process. Internal tooth whitening or permanent restorations may be an option to consider.
• Natural tooth colors that are brown or gray in hue may not produce desired results. Typically, teeth with a yellow hue will produce the best results.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid whitening their teeth as there is not enough research to determine the safety of tooth whitening products during pregnancy or lactation.
• People with hypersensitive teeth should avoid tooth whitening, because this process may enhance the level of sensitivity they experience.

How Are Teeth Whitened?

Enamel, the first layer of tooth surface, is actually semi-translucent, or clear. The layer underneath the enamel, known as dentin, is typically yellow, but may be gray, brown or black. This hue is what is seen penetrating through the enamel. In order to whiten the dentin, a peroxide solution is placed on the enamel. This process opens the pores of the enamel, allowing the solution to reach the layer of dentin. The solution will then begin to lighten the dentin, resulting in the appearance of whiter teeth.

Several brands of tooth-whitening products are on the market that all promise one thing -- noticeable results. Professional in-office whitening, professional take-home whitening and over-the-counter whitening products remain the most common ways to whiten your teeth.

It is important to have realistic expectations when evaluating your final results; it may take several treatments to achieve a whiter smile. Whitening results may not be permanent, as your teeth will naturally pick up stain from foods or beverages or from tobacco use. Remember to brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular cleanings and examinations. Tooth whitening results will vary from person to person, so chose an option that will suit your specific need and budget.

_Source:

_{British Dental Health Foundation. Tooth Whitening FAQ. Accessed May 25, 2009.}

Acne Myths

Acne (say: ak-nee) — also known as pimples or zits — is a totally normal part of growing up. Kids get acne because of changes that occur during puberty, the time when kids' bodies begin the many changes that turn them into adults.

When you got your first pimple, you probably ran to ask your parent, older brother or sister, or a friend about what to do. But before you take their advice and pop that pimple, you should know that some of what you hear about acne is just plain wrong.

Let's clear up some common myths about acne — and maybe even your skin in the process!

Myth: Popping your pimples is the best way to get rid of them.

Fact: Step away from that mirror! Some people might tell you that popping your zits will make them less noticeable and help them heal faster, but they're wrong. Picking or popping your pimples pushes germs further under your skin, which could cause more redness, pain, and maybe even a nasty infection. And popping zits can lead to scarring, which could last forever.

If pimples always seem to show up at the wrong time, like before a big event such as a dance, talk to your parent about seeing your doctor or a dermatologist (say: der-muh-tah-luh-jist), a doctor who specializes in treating acne. A doctor can help get your acne under control.

Myth: Stress causes acne.

Fact: Are you worried that the big test tomorrow or that next week's championship game will cause your skin to break out? Don't worry — the normal everyday stress of being a kid doesn't cause acne. If you're going through an especially stressful period in your life — such as moving to a new house or dealing with your parents' divorce — your skin may produce more oil, also known as sebum (say: see-bum), but that doesn't mean you'll get more zits.

Myth: Getting a tan clears up acne.

Fact: Baking in the sun does nothing to improve your acne. When you spend time outside and your skin becomes darker, the redness caused by acne may be less noticeable for a little while. But when your tan fades, you'll still see your zits. And spending time in the sun without the proper protection can cause dry, irritated, or burned skin — not to mention it increases your risk of developing wrinkles and skin cancer later in life.

Before you head outdoors, protect your skin with a sunscreen that contains a sun protection factor (on the label it'll say SPF) of at least 30. Use a brand that's marked "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic," which means it won't clog your pores and worsen acne. Don't forget to wear a hat and sunglasses when you're outside to keep your skin in top shape. And if you ever wondered about tanning beds, here are the facts — they're boring, expensive, and dangerous because they increase your risk of developing skin cancer

Acne

If you're almost a teen, chances are pretty good that you have some acne. About 8 in 10 preteens and teens have acne, along with many adults. In fact, about 17 million people in the United States have acne. Acne is so common that it's considered a normal part of growing from a kid to an adult.

But knowing that doesn't make it easier when you look in the mirror and see a big pimple on your chin! The good news is that learning about acne and taking some simple steps can help you feel better about your face.

 

Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps. They include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps (pimples), and bumps that are filled with pus (pustules). What causes these annoying bumps? Well, your skin is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles, or pores. Pores contain sebaceous (say: suh-bay-shus) glands (also called oil glands) that make sebum (say: see-bum), an oil that moistens your hair and skin.

Most of the time the glands make the right amount of sebum, and the pores are fine. But sometimes a pore gets clogged up with too much sebum, dead skin cells, and germs called bacteria. This can cause acne.

If a pore gets clogged up, closes, and bulges out from the skin, that's a whitehead. If a pore clogs up but stays open, the top surface can get dark and you're left with a blackhead. Sometimes the walls of the pore are broken, allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to get under the skin. This causes a small, red infection called a pimple. Clogged-up pores that open up deep in the skin can lead to bigger infections known as cysts.