So here are a few tips and tricks that will help you keep your teeth as white as possible for the longest period of time…

- Obviously, avoid food and rinks that stain the teeth. Avoid black tea, strong coffee, etc and if you must drink them, then use a straw. This will pass the liquid directly into the gullet, by-passing the teeth. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too.

- Feel free to brush and floss immediately after you consume such beverages and food. Sometimes, that’s not possible. So at very least, rinse and gargle after you consume teeth staining food and beverages. If you are at a restaurant or a party and are unable to gargle, do so the moment you get home.

- Daily and regular oral hygiene is critical. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once or better still, twice daily. Not only will you clear the gunk out, you will also keep your teeth white and healthy.

- Use a teeth whitening toothpaste once or twice a week – Ask your dentist and follow-up on the touch-up treatments.

- Teeth Whitening Toothpastes: These toothpastes help lighten the color of your teeth by about a shade or two. Such toothpastes contain chemical agents that gently polish the enamel and remove stains. These toothpastes can be purchased over-the counter from your local drug store or they can be ordered online.

- Teeth Whitening Strips: These are thin invisible strips that are covered with a teeth whitening gel. Use strips for one two hours several nights a week and you will be able to see the difference that these peroxide-based strips make on the color of your teeth. The results should last approximately for four months and it expenses range between $10.00-$60.00.

- Teeth Whitening Gels: Apply these gels with a brush directly to your teeth twice daily for about a week. The effects of these clear peroxide-based gels last for about 4 months and costs range between $15 – $20.

- Teeth Whitening by a Dentist: Dentists use different types of tray-based procedures in which they apply a light to the gel on your teeth. This improves the teeth color between three and eight shades. This approach is the most effective out of the approaches listed above. This also removes stubborn stains deep in the tooth and can cost up to $800.

In most cases, an improperly fitted mouthpiece tray  is responsible for the irritation of the soft tissues. But both these conditions and discomfort do not persist for long and last only for  one to three days after the completion of the treatment.

In case of acute sensitivity one can follow a few simple measures to reduce or get rid of the teeth whitening risks. Firstly, the mouth tray can be used for a shorter period of time for example, instead of two 60 minute sessions it can be worn for two 30 minutes sessions. Again, the process can be stopped for a few days to allow the teeth to get adjusted to the teeth whitening treatment.

Moreover, the dentist or the pharmacist can be asked to prescribe a product containing high fluoride to restore the mineral content of the teeth. This product should be applied to the tray and to be worn for four minutes before starting the whitening process.

Lastly, brushing the teeth with toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth containing potassium nitrate helps soothe the nerve ends of the teeth. Such steps might alleviate the teeth whitening risks and irritations to some degree.

If you were rich, then a mixture of honey, vinegar, and wine was the ultimate tooth cleanser for you. Even now, you can apply this regularly and see the difference for yourself. A few centuries ago, an old rag with salt and water was also used to whiten teeth. You might be shocked to know that in ancient times, human urine was used as a tooth whitening product!

To avoid the need of whitening your teeth you can also take preventive measures. It is seen that teeth become yellow with age. With diet playing a pivotal role in determining your teeth shades. Some of the things that you will want to avoid include coffee, smoking, and tea. Although you may not realize it, one of the worst things for your teeth is chips and wafers.

Sometimes yellowing of your teeth may also be hereditary. However, rinsing your mouth with a 75% lemon juice and 25% salt solution is known to work wonders for teeth whitening. Some of the best foods and drinks that will prevent bacteria from forming include celery and straight cranberry juice. Believe it or not, dark chocolate also reduces the amount of bacteria that can be found in one’s mouth. So next time you see your teeth turning yellowish you need not shell out those bucks for your teeth whitening appointment.

Medications and other applied, direct techniques

Topical anesthetics – Topical anesthetics, applied with a swab, are routinely used to numb the area in the mouth or gums where the dental work will be done. The topical anesthetic is given prior to injection with a local anesthetic, such as Lidocaine.

Lasers – Some dentists are now using lasers to remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for receipt of the filling. Lasers may cause less pain in some instances and result in a reduced need for anesthesia.

Electronically delivered anesthesia (also called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]) – This is an alternative to the dreaded shot of anesthesia. Adhesive pads are placed on the face and a battery-powered device sends electrical impulses to the treatment area to numb it. The patient controls the level of stimulation through a hand-held unit. Another form of electronically delivered anesthesia is called cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Under this technique, electricity is passed into the brain, which causes relaxation. Again, the patient controls the intensity of the current, increasing or decreasing it to control the pain as needed. Advantages of these approaches are that as soon as the device is switched off, the effect is instantly reversed. The patient is able to drive and resume normal activities immediately following the dental visit.

Nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) – This gas, which is inhaled by the patient through a rubber face mask, helps people feel relaxed and is one of the most common forms of sedation used in the dental office. Effects wear off quickly after the gas is turned off. This is the only form of sedation under which patients can drive after the procedure and can eat food within a 12-hour period of the procedure. With IV, oral and general anesthesia, the patient cannot drive following the procedure or eat after midnight the night before the procedure.

Intravenous sedation – This form of pain and anxiety control involves injecting a sedative into a vein of a patient’s arm or hand. This approach is usually reserved for patients undergoing extensive dental procedures or for the extremely anxious patient. Dentists need to monitor the oxygen level of patients receiving IV sedation and may need to give such patients additional oxygen during the procedure. With IV sedation, the patient is awake but very relaxed. If you think you may be interested in IV sedation, ask your dentist if he or she is licensed to administer intravenous sedatives.

Oral sedation – An oral medication, such as Halcion, works on the central nervous system to help patients relax. Oral sedatives are often not prescribed because they take about 30 minutes before their effects are felt and can cause drowsiness that may last for hours.

General anesthesia – With this technique, the patient is “put to sleep” for the duration of the procedure. Patients requiring general anesthesia can be treated in the dentist’s office, but more likely are treated in a hospital setting. This is because this type of anesthesia has risks, which include a sudden drop in blood pressure and irregular heartbeats, so the patient needs to be closely monitored. For these reasons, general anesthesia is typically only used if extensive dental work is needed and when other forms of sedation or pain control are not sufficient to conquer fear. If you think you may be interested in general sedation, ask your dentist if he or she is licensed to administer this form of sedation.

It’s important to discuss all of these options with your dentist. It is also important to tell your dentist about any illnesses or health conditions you may have, if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medications, or if you ever experienced any problems or have any allergies to any medications. Using all of this information, your dentist will work with you to determine which anxiety- and pain-reducing approach may be the best option for you. Also know that your dentist may be licensed to administer some, but not necessarily all, of the pain- and anxiety-reducing strategies identified here. Finally, keep in mind that although some health care professionals may feel that the use of sedation might be inappropriate for routine dental procedures, many dentists believe that the benefits of good oral care for patients with high anxiety and/or dental phobia outweigh the risks of sedation.

Mind/body techniques to control anxiety or pain

Distraction strategies – One way to reduce stress and anxiety is to distract yourself with something pleasant. Bring a Walkman with your favorite music. Some dentists have Walkmans in their offices that can be borrowed, and others are beginning to offer virtual-reality goggles, which provide images and sounds to take your mind off of the work your dentist is performing in your mouth.

Relaxation techniques – Studies have shown that practicing relaxation techniques helps reduce pain and anxiety levels in patients. There are many types of relaxation strategies. Some of the more common include:

• Guided imagery – This is the technique of imaging a pleasant experience or a particularly soothing environment. By concentrating on creating as much detail as possible, your mind becomes absorbed in this task rather than focusing on what the dentist is doing.
• Deep breathing – This technique involves breathing deeply and slowly, which floods the body with oxygen and other chemicals that work on the central nervous system and improve your comfort.
• Progressive relaxation – Using this technique, you consciously concentrate on relaxing every muscle in your body beginning at your toes and working all the way up to your head. Reducing muscular tension helps reduce pain.
• Biofeedback – This technique involves learning how to relax and better cope with pain and stress by altering your behavior, thoughts and feelings. Specialists who provide biofeedback training range from psychiatrists and psychologists to dentists, internists, nurses, and physical therapists.

Hypnosis – Hypnosis, whether self-induced or aided by a dentist or therapist, is another way to produce a relaxed state.

Acupuncture – This technique involves the placement of very thin needles into certain locations on the body. The body responds by releasing numerous chemicals that have an analgesic (pain-killing) effect on the body. A related technique, acupressure, uses pressure applied to certain locations instead of needles.

Support Groups – Most communities have support groups that offer practical tips and coping skills in addition to emotional support for those who suffer from anxiety or phobias. Ask your dentist if he or she can assist in finding a support group in your area.

Mental health therapy – Working with mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, is another worthwhile option to consider for those with severe anxiety and phobias. The types of therapies that might be tried in this setting include:

• Systematic desensitization – With this technique, patients are gradually exposed to the things they are afraid of – for instance, in this case, the dental office and dental instruments.
• Cognitive behavior therapy – This approach teaches patients how to calm their mind and body and change negative or harmful thinking patterns so that they can feel better, think more clearly, make better decisions and overcome fears.
• Psychotherapy – This is a process by which patients increase their personal awareness and come to an understanding of and make peace with the difficult events or fears from their past.

Dentophobia clinics – These are clinics, staffed by therapists, who specialize in helping those with severe anxiety. Ask your dentist or mental health provider about clinics in your area.

© 1995-2009 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.

The exact cause of BMS remains uncertain, and researchers have proposed a range of possible causes including changes associated with menopause, nutrition deficiencies, damaged nerves and oral infections such as oral thrush. Some people report that their burning mouth pain persists for years.

Fortunately, many people with BMS can find some relief by working with a doctor or dentist to pinpoint the cause of their case of BMS and then treating those symptoms. For example, if your doctor or dentist determines that your BMS may be due to oral thrush, treatment with an antifungal medication may relieve the problem. If nutrition deficiency or psychological factors are the causes, then vitamin supplements or anxiety medication may be the answers.

Some cases of BMS are caused by vitamin deficiency anemia, which can cause changes in the appearance of the tongue if left untreated. No matter how you developed BMS or how you treat it, be sure to follow a regular oral care routine of twice daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Avoid alcohol-based mouth rinses, as they they can irritate the condition.

If you suddenly experience symptoms of dry mouth, it may be because you’ve started taking a certain type of medication. Medications are a major cause of dry mouth. In fact, medications cause approximately 90 percent of all cases of dry mouth, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

You may not be able to discontinue your medication, but you should keep your dentist informed when something in your overall health changes and you start taking medication.

For example, antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories and anti-hypertensive medications are just some of the many types of drugs that can contribute to a dry mouth. In addition, chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or lupus and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can also cause it.

Even stress and anxiety can contribute to dry mouth, as can the medications you might take for them. It is important to communicate with your dentist about issues concerning your overall health because anything that increases your risk for dry mouth also increases your risk for gum disease. Your dentist or dental hygienist may advise you to pay special attention to your daily oral care routine, and to schedule an additional dental cleaning during a time of increased risk, such as during pregnancy or before starting chemotherapy.

If your dry mouth is persistent and severe, talk to your doctor about whether you can reduce the dose of the medication that is causing the problem, or possibly switch to a different medication. Everyone responds differently to medications, so switching to another drug that serves the same purpose may yield the same benefits with less dry mouth.

The causes of tooth sensitivity vary, and if you have sensitive teeth, it may be due to several of these factors:

• Overzealous brushing. You can have too much of a good thing. Brushing your teeth with too much force, or with a hard-bristle toothbrush, may wear down tooth enamel, expose the cementum or dentin and cause tooth sensitivity.

• Gum disease. Inflamed gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.

• Tooth grinding. Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear away and leave the dentin exposed.

If you have sensitive teeth, don’t neglect your daily oral care routine. Just be sure to use a soft toothbrush and soft floss. You can also try a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Several brands are available, and you should notice some improvement with regular use of any of them. Also, try spreading some sensitizing toothpaste along the exposed cementum or dentin area before bed to help reduce sensitivity. Just use your fingertip or a cotton swab to rub the toothpaste directly onto the exposed spot.