Teeth whitening, also known as tooth bleaching, is a form of cosmetic dentistry. The procedure involves lightening the color of the teeth. This is done by bleaching or cleaning the tooth enamel.
There are many reasons that our enamel changes color. A natural process that effects tooth staining is aging. Our teeth darken as we age because of wear and tear, the accumulation of stains and changes in the structure of a tooth. Our first set of teeth is usually whiter than our adult set. Genetics can play a roll in whether our teeth are translucent or not. When enamel is thin and translucent, it appears darker and may not yield the desired results after whitening.
Staining of the enamel is not just a result of nature and genetics. Eating and smoking or drug habits can contribute to discoloration. Excessive consumption of red wine, coffee, soda, tea, oranges, carrots and other colored beverages or foods can cause staining. Foods that contain a lot of acid can lead to enamel erosion. Nicotine will leave brown deposits on the enamel. Those deposits soak into the tooth and cause discoloration.
The two types of dental stains are intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains, caused by trauma, aging, exposure to minerals or chemicals, form on the inside of a tooth. Extrinsic stains are the result of excessive intake of tobacco or certain foods and beverages. They form on the outside of a tooth and can be from the wearing down of tooth structure that comes from aging. Both stains can be treated. Some stains require basic cleaning while others demand bleaching.
The results of this procedure are subjective. They vary. Shade guides are useful tools in choosing a color that works for you. Still, talking with your dentist is important. The FDA differentiates between bleaching and whitening. According to the agency, bleaching is when enamel is lightened beyond the natural shade. Whitening is the process of restoring natural color by thorough cleaning. Ask your doctor which method suits you, as the different techniques can produce different results.
There are different options to lightening enamel color. Individuals can have the procedure done at a dentist office. An in-office whitening session involves applying peroxide gel to the teeth in intervals of approximately 15 to 20 minutes for an hour. This procedure can accomplish significant changes in a short period of time. There are also whitening kits. Some dentists provide professional take-home kits that produce long-term results. These kits use a low-concentration gel made from peroxide. The gel is added with bleaching trays. The formula should stay on for about an hour, sometimes a longer time is needed, but the level of peroxide in the gel should be noted before leaving the chemical on for a long period of time. There are over-the-counter kits that can be bought at many stores. These kits usually include a gel with a low concentration of peroxide. The gel can be applied by using trays, strips or applicators. Baking soda alone or when paired with lemon juice or strawberries can help whiten your smile. It can be used to make toothpaste.
Risks linked to whitening include, but are not limited to: sensitivity to temperature and touch, shooting pains in the front teeth and gum irritation. Technicolor teeth is the term used to describe varying colors of teeth. Bleach will not affect restorations. If you have had bonding, porcelain veneers or dental crowns, consult your dentist about what you should do.
People interested in this procedure should consult London Ontario dentist and know the warnings. To avoid varied enamel, replace tooth restorations at least two weeks after the bleaching so that the restorations are properly colored and bonded. Bleaching results may not be seen until two weeks after the treatment. Keep this in mind when planning tooth-colored restorations. Sometimes a yellow color can be on the surface of the gum line. This is hard to remove with bleach. Whitening procedures can be dangerous so it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.
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