Your smile is one of the first things people notice about yourself. Luckily, straight and white teeth are no longer something only celebrities can mostly have. With the advancements in cosmetic dentistry over the last few years, a growing number of adults are turning to orthodontics to improve their smile through a wide range of treatments, particularly, teeth whitening. But what is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a simple technique used to lighten the color of the teeth. The procedure involves the application of a gel containing hydrogen peroxide, which is used as a bleaching agent to lighten the enamel (outer surface of the tooth) and the dentin (a layer of material that lies underneath the enamel). The bleaches work by breaking stains into smaller pieces, making the color less concentrated and the teeth brighter. However, the whitening agent does not reach the dental pulp, that is the internal part of the tooth.
Why Would You Need Teeth Whitening?
To Remove Stains
There are many reasons why you might need a teeth whitening treatment. One of the main reasons people have teeth whitening done is to get rid of discolorations. In most cases, the natural color of your teeth is in the yellow-gray hues. However, lifestyle factors such as the consumption of particular food, tea, coffee, wine, smoking, and the aging process can cause discoloration and darken the teeth. Today, teeth whitening treatments can help in fading these discolorations and leave you with a shiny and white smile!
The most effective whitening treatment will largely depend on the cause of your yellow teeth. However, a whitening treatment at the dentist can be done in three different ways:
1) Hydrogen Peroxide Gel Teeth Whitening
In this whitening process, a gel containing the bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is used. Firstly, a retractor is placed inside the mouth so that teeth are fully exposed. A hardening substance is then applied to the gums to protect it from any irritation that may arise through the use of hydrogen peroxide. Once the whitening gel is applied on the teeth, it is activated by a low heat using special lights. The bleaching gel is removed after twenty minutes, the whitening process is checked, and the product is reapplied. This process is repeated twice more before removing the retractor and completion of the whitening treatment.
2) In-Office Teeth Whitening
This method is the fastest way to achieve white teeth. Just like the tray-based whitening, this technique involves applying whitening products to brighten the teeth. The bleaching agent is applied to each tooth for approximately 30 seconds and then exposed to a heating source such as ultraviolet light or laser. Due to the exceptional precision of the laser, results can be seen in just one whitening session of 30 to 60 minutes.
3) Deep Bleaching
This process involves a combination of an at-home process and the in-office treatment. The deep bleaching method follows the same process as the two previous ones except that whitening trays are used. The tray-based technique works by filling a mouth guard-like appliance with the bleaching agent. These are custom-made to fit your teeth, and you might have to leave it on for a few hours to a day or every night for a few weeks, depending on your level of teeth discoloration.
Depending on your habits, your teeth should keep their whiteness for a period varying from one to five years. Brushing your teeth twice a day, daily use of dental floss, and regular dental checkups should help in keeping your teeth looking great after the whitening treatment. Be mindful and avoid at all costs the various home remedies such as lemon juice or baking soda, which are not effective. They have a more abrasive than polishing effect and can damage your teeth permanently!
Moreover, teeth whitening is not for everyone. Before achieving your Hollywood star smile, a dental exam is essential to make sure the mouth is healthy. For instance, many dentists often see patients with cavities who prefer having whiter teeth before healthier teeth. But if such issues are not treated beforehand, you might experience unusual pain during the whitening treatment. This is why teeth whitening performed by a dental surgeon will always be better and safer than what we can do at home. Not only because of the qualification of the person but also because of the quality of their products and the supervision of the process.
If you want a brighter smile, the dental team at Nika Dental Center can help you radiate health, happiness, and success with their teeth whitening solutions! With their experienced dentists and high-end services, you can rest assured that only the best practices would be employed for your dental treatments. Schedule an appointment with Nika Dental Center and have your pearly white teeth back!
