Helpful hints for healthy teeth

Remember how, as a child, you used to be told that almost everything you ate was "bad for your teeth”? You may have forgotten some of these warnings. And some things you were told might not be as bad as you think. Read on to find out.

The function of teeth is to chew food -- and to some extent, help you talk and form words.

Teeth are not to be used as:

• Pliers
• Coat hangers
• Ice crushers
• Crisp bag openers
• Knot looseners
• Bottle openers

Whiteners: Good or bad?

Tooth whitening can be done professionally by your dentist, or you can do it yourself using one of the many home whitening kits. Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS, although some procedures to improve the appearance of damaged or decayed teeth may be possible - it is worth asking your NHS dentist.

The speediest, and some consider the most effective, whitening treatment is laser or “power whitening”. This is done professionally. A bleaching product is applied to your teeth and a light or laser then shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. Laser treatment is said to make teeth up to five or six shades lighter than home whitening kits, and the effect is instantaneous.

Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. A special mouth tray or mould, like a gum shield, is made to fit over your teeth. Your dentist will supply you with tubes of bleaching gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide), along with instructions on how to put the gel in the mouth trays. You will need to wear the trays for at least a few hours every day (or overnight). It can take several weeks to achieve the colour you want.

Professional bleaching can be done internally for single teeth. This lightens the colour of a tooth by placing a bleaching product inside the tooth. This can only be done on teeth that have had successful root treatment.

Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening kits are sold in pharmacies and some supermarkets. Usually they contain rubber mouth trays that are approximately the same shape as your teeth, and tubes of bleaching gel. The gel is placed in the mouth tray and placed over the teeth in the same way as professional bleaching. The bleaching ingredient in OTC kits contains a weaker mix of hydrogen peroxide than in the kits obtained from your dentist, so they tend to be less effective.If you are considering using a home whitening kit, you are advised to check that it has the British Dental Health Foundation approved logo.This is important, because some unapproved whitening products may contain excessive amounts of the bleaching agents. Improper use of these at home could result in damage to tooth enamel, or cause gum inflammation or burning.