Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure on your teeth that lightens the color of your teeth and gets rid of any stains. This is directed at the treatment of the surface stains and deep discoloration of the tooth enamel. Teeth whitening has, over the years, remained amongst the most popular forms of cosmetic dental operations.
Teeth whitening works by applying bleaching agents, which dissolve the stains. This makes the colour less focused and your teeth look whiter. The majority of teeth whitening treatments apply either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active agent.
The teeth whitening treatment has a rather simple science. Whitening products have a bleaching agent that is peroxide-based, which enters the enamel and the dentin layer beneath. This makes it less harsh for individuals with sensitivity problems.
The rate at which the treatment is effective depends on the concentration of the bleaching agent. Higher concentrations are usually applied as professional treatments compared to the products bought over the counter.
Types of Teeth Whitening
It is better to learn about the various types of teeth whitening treatments that are offered to make a decision about which one will suit your requirements and budget. All methods possess their pros and cons. Let’s discuss
Professional Whitening
Visiting your dentist to whiten your teeth is the quickest and most satisfying experience. The whitening agent that your dentist will apply to your gums is quite strong, so it will first require providing your gums with a protective coating. Then they will put the gel on the teeth very carefully.
In some dental practices, special blue lights or lasers are also used to ensure that the whitening gel becomes even more effective. The entire appointment process normally lasts between one hour and more. You come out with teeth that are much whiter than before. This alternative is expensive than the other ones, but ideal when you require results in the shortest time possible to attend a wedding, a job interview, or other occasion of some value.
At-Home Professional Kits
This alternative provides professional results from the comfort of doing the work at home anytime and anywhere. Your dentist will have customized plastic trays that fit perfectly on your teeth. They will also provide you with professional-level strength whitening gel to be used with these trays.
You will be required to wear the trays being filled with gel few hours a day, or even at night, when you are sleeping. The majority of individuals do it between one and two weeks. The findings are not instant, as in the case of office treatments, but are very impressive. Moreover, it is cheaper than doing it at a dental clinic.
Drugstore Products on Sale
Take a walk to any pharmacy and you will find lots of whitening products. Whitening strips are likely to be the most favored ones since they are easy to use and they do work rather well. All you do is place them on your teeth and leave them on them for about 30 minutes, one or twice a day, over the course of a couple of weeks.
Alternatively, there is whitening toothpaste; however, it differs. These toothpastes contain small scrubbing particles and mild chemicals that eliminate surface stains. They do not make your teeth the natural colour as bleaching products do.
They are more appropriate for maintaining the whiteness of your teeth after already undertaking a whitening procedure. Whitening gels, pen, and mouthwashes are also available. The gels and pens are used in the same way as the strips; however, they are more difficult to apply evenly. The weakest of all are whitening mouthwashes since they can only come into contact with your teeth for a brief period of time.
Teeth Whitening Side Effects
Sensitivity in Your Teeth
The biggest challenge that individuals face following whitening is the fact that their teeth become sensitive. You may experience some pangs of pain when taking something cold or consuming ice cream. Hot drinks can bother you, too. This is because bleaching chemicals temporarily increase the porosity of your enamel.
The positive outcome is that it is almost always possible to lose this kind of sensitivity in a couple of days. You can assist in lessening it by applying toothpaste created for sensitive teeth a week prior to the whitening. Resting in between whitening processes also allows rest to your teeth.
Irritation in Your Gums
Occasionally, the whitening gel has a tendency to irritate the soft pink gum tissue. This occurs more in the case of at-home treatment, where the gel may leak around your teeth. Your gums may become temporarily white and sore or tender.
The thing is that when you visit the dentist, they are very attentive to keeping the gel on your teeth alone. Should you be doing it yourself, at home, then only a small portion of gel is required. Whitening products are not better when used in excess.
Uneven Results
In some cases, only your non-stained teeth will go lighter in shade. This may leave you with a smile that does not fit. Your dentist would discuss the risk before you engage in any teeth whitening treatment. They are able to inform you of what to expect and may offer alternatives in case there is a problem in matching colors.
Damage to Your Tooth Enamel
Excessive use of whitening products or the use of products that are too strong may end up doing harm to your enamel. The hard outer layer of the teeth is known as the enamel, and once that is destroyed, it does not come back. Enhanced weakness of enamel exposes your teeth to cavities and persistent sensitivity.
Follow the guide that is recommended with whatever product you are using. In case the box indicates that the medicine should be used once per day, for two weeks, do not assume that two times per day will be more effective. It will not, and you will only run the risk of injuring your teeth.
Is Whitening Right or Wrong?
The teeth whitening treatment is very effective in case your teeth and gums are healthy initially. But it does not fit everybody well. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers must wait, as they are not ready for the treatment while carrying the baby.
In case you have cavities, gum disease, or already hyper-sensitive teeth, solve these issues and only then consider whitening. No, it will not work either, when your teeth are discolored due to some antibiotics you got as a child, or there is some damage within the tooth.
The best thing you can do is visit your dentist, and then you can begin teeth whitening. They are able to examine your teeth and gums and give you an honest answer on whether you should or should not. They are also able to provide you with hints on maintaining your teeth white after taking the hassle of whitening them.
Conclusion
Having your teeth whitened can make a big difference in your attitude towards your smile. Having known the various kinds of teeth whitening treatment and the possible side effects, now you can choose a method that would be the most reasonable in your case and financial means.
You choose to use the money on professional care in the office of the dentist, resort to middle ground in custom trays at home, or begin with the drugstore strips, and keep in mind that taking care of your teeth is more important than anything. Don’t forget to clean your teeth twice a day, brush, and visit the dentist.
