Your smile is one of the first things a person notices about you, and if your teeth are yellow or stained, you probably feel insecure and uncomfortable, which can cause you to avoid smiling at all. It’s a shame, because a beautiful smile can open many doors for you.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that can help you remove stains accumulated from years of your teeth.
However, the process of teeth whitening using different products and methods can be confusing, making it difficult to know which is the best teeth whitening method for your needs and expectations.
In this article we are going to address all the questions regarding tooth whitening, what it is about, how it works, the different treatments there are, and what we can expect in each case.
Index
What is tooth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a dental technique that involves whitening the teeth to make them several shades lighter to remove stains and discoloration. It is a highly demanded treatment, as it can greatly improve the appearance of the teeth.
This dental procedure must be performed by a dentist or other regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist by prescription of a dentist. So don’t put your oral health at risk, and only go to specialized centers.
Teeth whitening is not a one-session procedure; It will take several sessions to completely remove the stains and get the color you want.
Its permanent? No, but it can be maintained for months or even several years, it all depends on each person and their habits. For example, if you smoke or drink red wine, tea, or coffee, your teeth will stain more easily than if you don’t.
Why are teeth yellowing?
Your teeth can turn yellow for a number of different reasons. If you smoke, drink coffee regularly , consume a lot of dark-colored drinks (red wine, colas, sodas, etc.), it is very likely that you will develop stains on your teeth.
In addition, if you do not have good oral hygiene habits, or what is the same, if you do not brush your teeth several times a day, and use dental floss afterwards, the stains that remain on the teeth from food and drinks penetrate more deeply and are more difficult to remove.
Even if you try to avoid dark foods and drinks to avoid staining, and your oral hygiene is impeccable, teeth can naturally yellow as they age . In fact, the true color of the teeth is not white, but a very pale yellow.
How does teeth whitening work?
Almost all teeth whitening products on the market use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide . Both ingredients work in a similar way when applied to the teeth. The peroxide gently penetrates the tooth surface, known as the enamel, to reach the deepest stains.
These stained and discolored molecules are broken down inside the enamel by oxygen bubbles from the peroxide. It is a relatively effective method that has been used for many years with great success.
If they sound like chemicals to you, you should know that hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are common ingredients in most dental products, and have been used in the dental field for a long time. They are totally safe , and will not harm your teeth.
Types of teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a great way to boost your confidence and feel good about your appearance. Whitening treatments are relatively easy to integrate into your life, since the session lasts a few minutes, and you can complement it with home treatments to use at night.
Depending on your circumstances and expectations, your dentist will indicate the most suitable whitening treatment for you. Remember that when it comes to teeth whitening, it’s not so much how much a specific treatment costs, but how well it works.
LED whitening
It is a safe and non-invasive dental procedure that will remove deep stains from tooth enamel.
In the office a whitening gel , based on carbamide peroxide, is applied to the surface of the teeth, and then an LED light is used for about 30-40 minutes to help the gel penetrate more deeply.
In less than an hour you can leave the office with your teeth up to 6 shades whiter.
Night whitening with splints
It is a treatment prescribed by the dentist to perform at home , using a whitening kit that includes splints and a whitening product that is applied to the teeth so that it works overnight.
The splint must be custom designed, so that it fits properly in the cavity and the whitening product does not seep into the gums and mouth, causing blisters and mouth sensitivity.
This technique does not provide immediate results, as the peroxide concentration in this kit is lower than that used by the dentist, so the results are not as remarkable. But it can still remove tough stains from your teeth within 2 weeks.
The best time to whiten your teeth connect kit is before bed. At night, you are not going to eat or drink in the same way that you would during the day. This allows the peroxide from the whitening treatment to penetrate even further into the teeth without interruption. In the morning, you can brush your teeth as you normally would.
Long-lasting whitening
To achieve long-term whitening, it is necessary to whiten the entire dentin. This procedure uses an innovative two-layer technology to open the pores of the teeth and allow the peroxide to penetrate the dentin repeatedly.
As part of the procedure, it is recommended to use night whitening with splints at home to enhance the results.
But remember that expecting perfection only leads to disappointment. Your teeth will probably never be 100 percent white (even if you are using the best and most expensive treatment), nor do they need to be.
If you are waiting for your teeth to turn from a yellowish, or even tying, to perfectly pearly white, you will be disappointed.
However, if you are consistent with treatments and whiten your teeth at least once or twice a year, you can keep stains at bay and make your teeth beautifully white.
Does whitening work in all cases?
Keep in mind that some teeth simply do not respond to chemical whitening, even when performed by a professional.
There may be grayish or bluish intrinsic stains deep within the teeth, or the tooth is translucent because the enamel is worn away. These stains will not respond to whitening, so a veneer is recommended in these cases.
These whitening techniques also don’t work on dentures, crowns, fillings, or veneers. The color of the porcelain or composite surface cannot be changed with bleaching products.
What are the risks of teeth whitening?
Regardless of the whitening treatment you use, there is a chance that your gums are sensitive to the chemicals used in the procedure, especially if you already have sensitive teeth.
However, this sensitivity usually lasts only during treatment, and at most a week after, so it is not permanent.
There is also the risk of gum burns , and some of the home whitening kits can damage tooth enamel.
Another common side effect of teeth whitening is having small white spots on the surface of your teeth. This is because the peroxide works under the enamel and eradicates stains, some of which are often removed faster than others. This is also a temporary side effect that you shouldn’t worry about.
Pregnant women should not bleach their teeth, as the effect of bleaching materials on the development of the fetus is unknown. Since the procedure is cosmetic, it should be postponed until after delivery.
It is important to note that you should not over-whiten your teeth, as this can literally strip your teeth of their dull nature and cause a more translucent appearance.
If you want more information on teeth whitening, take a look at this article with everything you need to know about this procedure . And to show off a perfect smile, follow the advice we suggest here .
