What is Tooth Bleaching?
"Teeth whitening" is the phrase used to characterise several treatments meant to improve the brightness and whiteness of someone's natural teeth. Teeth are whitened using sanding away stains, bleaching, UV light therapy, and other methods. There are lots of teeth-whitening products on the market, and you can try many techniques right at home. You can also get your teeth whitened in a dental facility. Teeth whitening treatment can be a quite effective method to change your teeth's natural color even without removing any of their surface. It cannot entirely change the hue; it just helps to lighten the present tint.
What’s the Difference Between Teeth Whitening & Teeth Bleaching?
Teeth-whitening is the process of removing stains from the tooth surface so restoring its original color. Many toothpaste and mouthwash formulations include cleaning agents known as whiteners. Bleaching teeth is how one can make them white beyond their natural hue. Mostly used in tooth whitening treatments, bleaching agents consist of active ingredients including hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
Varieties of Tooth Stains
To properly whiten your teeth, you must choose a whitening technique targeted for the type of stains you have. If you have both intrinsic and extrinsic staining, you probably need to choose a whitening method that safely targets both (extrinsic staining is discussed below). See your dentist to find out kind of discolouration you have. They can guide you on the best course of treatment and the several kinds of stains on your teeth.
Intrinsic stains
ones intrinsic stains are ones found deep within your teeth's enamel. Sometimes inherent staining is evident even before your teeth erupt from your gums when you are a toddler. Antibiotics, a lot of fluoride, and diminishing tooth enamel with age can all cause these stains.
Extrinsic stains
Your teeth's surface carries extrinsic stains. These arise from environmental contact to compounds that discolor your teeth's enamel. Artificial food coloring, caffeine, and smoking all can cause this type of discolouration.
Options for Whitening Teeth
Professional teeth whitening treatments overseen by your dentist and toothpaste including whitening agents are two options for teeth whitening. While some whitening treatments just remove external stains from your teeth to make them seem lighter in color, some actually help to remove intrinsic stains. Common components in both over-the-counter (OTC) and professional whitening treatment products are hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is another somewhat often used oxidizing agent. Higher dosages of these drugs could be unfriendly and aggravating to your body. You should so follow strictly advised instructions on using tooth whitening products. Over-the-counter whitening products include toothpaste and mouthwash as well as whitening agents. Among these items could be baking soda, a mild abrasive meant for stain removal. Certain toothpaste meant for whitening also contains abrasive charcoal. Whitening creams can also contain low levels of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide. Many abrasives can damage the enamel of your teeth if used too often or over a long period of time. The hard outside of your teeth is enamel. The American Dental Association claims that unlike other parts of a tooth, the enamel is not comprised of live cells, so it does not self-repair once it has worn away. See your dentist for guidance on safe use of abrasive whitening treatments.
What Happens all During the Teeth-Whitening Process?
First your dentist will shape your top and bottom teeth. These are used to make custom trays that cover over your teeth like a mouthguard. At your next appointment, you load the trays with bleaching gel and wear them in your mouth for 15 to 30 minutes. The dentist may also use a light to speed up the whitening process. Usually carried out at home, the operation is repeated per dentist's direction. Two to four weeks should definitely show a change.
Who Needs to Whiten Their Teeth?
Many people have come to assume that a perfect grin is the norm based on images of perfect smiles seen on TV and in newspapers. Still, regardless of how your teeth look, there's no reason to ever feel bad about your smile. Your teeth's health should come before appearance.
Yellowing of teeth can be brought on by:
hereditary inclination toward some medications (like tetracycline) related to age
habits (including smoking and drinking Coke or coffee)
One more consideration could be the cost of tooth whitening treatments. Insurance neither covers over-the-counter or in-office whitening treatments. While less expensive, some consumers use toothpaste and mouthwashes, which have less whitening effect. Having dental implants or veneers will not help you to whiten your teeth. One can whiten only naturally white teeth. Many younger people have looked for veneers in recent years to have a perfectly white smile, but doing so can compromise the long-term health of your teeth.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
The type of whitener you use will define the duration of continuous whitening of your teeth. Your lifestyle decisions also count. Teeth whitening treatments are meant to reduce stains, not to completely eliminate them. If you keep proper oral hygiene, dental treatments and at-home products will last more.
