Having yellow stained teeth can be worrisome. If you are concerned about your deeply stained teeth, you’re not the only one. Interestingly, millions of people aren’t proud of their smiles either. In fact, many of them are willing to shell out cash just to improve the shade of their teeth.
Fortunately, professional teeth whitening can help give you that dazzling bright smile. Teeth whitening is one of the most requested treatments in the dental industry. If you’re looking for a fast and efficient way to spruce up your smile, in-office teeth whitening is the way to go.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the process of teeth whitening and how it can give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Read more.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a dental cosmetic procedure that helps improve your smile by making your teeth several shades brighter. The process involves using chemicals to remove stains and stubborn discolouration on the surface of your teeth. There are various types of teeth whitening products such as strips, over-the-counter teeth whitening gels, whitening toothpastes, trays, rinses, in-office teeth whitening, and whitening kits that you can get from your dentist. Not everyone is eligible for this treatment. You can schedule a consultation to find out if you qualify.
How Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Work?
There are many ways to brighten your smile. In an in-office teeth whitening treatment, a bleaching agent is used to remove the stains from your teeth. The active ingredient used in whitening solutions is hydrogen peroxide. This substance targets the surface stains in a chemical reaction that results in a brighter and more brilliant smile. The results are almost always immediate. It only takes less than an hour for your dentist to whiten your teeth. This is because dentists use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide so you get faster results.
Does Teeth Whitening Help Your Oral Health?
According to the National Library of Medicine, almost one-third of Australian adults had at least one dental caries, while 29% of adults showed symptoms of gingivitis. Tooth decay and gum disease are the leading oral health problems in Australia and all over the world. The bleaching products used to whiten your teeth contain hydrogen peroxide. This chemical contains antibacterial properties. Studies show that it effectively kills bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
In addition, when people see a significant change in the brightness of their teeth, they’ll feel more motivated to maintain them by practising better oral hygiene. If you want to make the most of the treatment, you must keep your teeth in excellent shape by brushing and flossing daily.
What Should You Expect During In-Chair Teeth Whitening Treatment?
The process is straightforward and can be quick depending on the case. First, your dentist will examine your teeth. Next, some photos of your teeth are obtained (with your consent), so you’ll have something to compare once the treatment is over.
A rubber appliance is placed inside your mouth during bleaching to prevent the gel from reaching your tongue, cheeks, lips, and gum tissues.
The whitening gel is applied to your teeth, followed by a blue LED light to activate the solution and allow it to penetrate your teeth better. The light also speeds up the whitening process. The settings can be adjusted to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
The gel application is repeated in less than an hour to ensure you get the brightness you want. Once you’ve achieved your desired shade, your dentist will apply a gel over your teeth to reduce tooth sensitivity. The post-treatment gel also serves as a protective covering over your enamel.
Some patients choose to order take-home teeth whitening kits from the dental office. In this treatment, you are given customised trays and a bleaching gel that you can take home. Just remember to follow the instructions carefully to avoid problems.
What Are the Benefits of Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Many people are reluctant to have dental work done, even if the outcome is a beautiful, white smile. But what if we told you that in-office teeth whitening offers benefits beyond aesthetics?
- Even Whitening
Teeth whitening products are everywhere, but despite how easily available these products are, especially in your local drugstore and supermarket, nothing beats the results of an in-office teeth whitening. The procedure is more thorough, and the goal is to ensure that you achieve an even whiteness in your smile. Not a single tooth is left out - Reliable Procedure
Dentists are warning the public about teeth whitening kits bought in stores. There are possible risks of burning gums and severe tooth sensitivity. Many factors can contribute to these adverse side effects, like ill-fitting trays that allow the bleaching solution to seep out and irritate your soft gum tissues and not using the right amount of hydrogen peroxide. Using faulty products could lead to tooth damage. In-office teeth whitening treatment is customised to accurately fit your mouth and help achieve your goals safely and efficiently. - Faster Results
Compared to home whitening kits, professional teeth whitening can transform your smile in as little as one hour. You don’t need to wait for several weeks until you see a change in the colour of your teeth. While it’s true that store-bought kits are cheaper, they may not give you satisfactory results. It takes months to see changes, and there are no guarantees that you’ll be satisfied with the outcome.
Possible Risks with Teeth Whitening
While professional teeth whitening is considered as routine and safe. It also has potential risks, just like any other treatment. Some of the common risks of teeth whitening are gum irritation and increased tooth sensitivity. The severity of these side effects is directly proportional to the concentration of peroxide bleach, the non-bleach composition of the product, and the duration of the procedure. Gum irritation and tooth sensitivity can start on the day of the treatment and can last for several days.
How Long Do the Effects of Teeth Whitening Last?
How long the whitening effects last depends on the type of teeth whitening treatment, you’re getting.
- Whitening Toothpaste:
If you use whitening toothpaste twice a day, it will take roughly two to six weeks to see results. However, the results can only last up to 4 months. You can prolong the effects if you continue using the toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes may contain mild abrasives, carbamide peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth. However, if your toothpaste contains mild abrasives, it’s not good to rely on it for long-term use, as it will likely erode your enamel. - Whitening Mouthwash:
It takes three months to see a difference in the shade of your teeth if you use a whitening mouthwash. Just like whitening toothpaste, a mouthwash also contains hydrogen peroxide. You may use it daily, but it only removes surface stains. Some prefer to use it to prolong the effects of professional teeth whitening. However, it may not give you long-lasting and significant results when done alone. - At-Home Teeth Whitening Gel Trays:
Gel trays are more effective in a way that you can start seeing results in just seven days. Maximum results are visible in a month. The significance of the brightness of your smile is based on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide used and how long you’re wearing the trays. The effect of teeth whitening gels can last up to a year or more as long as you combine them with proper dental hygiene. It’s important to mention that the bleaching concentration placed in the customised trays given by your dentist is stronger than store-bought products. Don’t worry; your dentist will supervise and teach you how and when to use them. You may need to keep the trays on for several hours a day. - In-chair or in-Office Tooth Whitening:
You can enjoy a healthier and whiter smile that can last up to one to three years with good oral hygiene. An in-office teeth whitening procedure, as the name implies, can only be done in the dental office. It usually only takes one visit to see dramatic results. In this procedure, your dentist will use high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Light and heat may also activate the bleaching agents and speed up the whitening process.
What Are the Foods that Can Stain Your Teeth?
If you wish to maintain the brightness and lustre of your smile, you’ll have to make certain modifications to your diet. Keep in mind that certain foods and drinks can leave stains on your teeth, thereby dulling your smile. Be particularly mindful of dark-coloured foods and beverages. Your teeth absorb the colour of anything you put inside your mouth since your enamel contains numerous pores. It would be best to reduce your consumption of these foods to maintain your pearly whites and avoid discolouration.
- Red Wine:
Red wine has a high acidity level.The acidity can roughen your enamel and open up its pores. As a result, it will increase the overall surface area of your teeth, allowing more colour to penetrate your teeth. The acidity of this drink can scrape your enamel, causing the red shade of the wine to stick to your teeth. - Coffee:
You can easily separate coffee drinkers from non-coffee drinkers based on the stains coffee leaves on their teeth. Coffee, as you know, contains chemical compounds known as tannins. These coloured compounds can also stain your teeth. - Dark tea:
Drinking tea is good for you as it helps boost your metabolism, but just like coffee, tea is also notorious for causing tooth stains. To reduce the staining ability of tea, dentists suggest you add milk to your drink. A protein in milk called casein can help lessen the stains that tea leaves on your teeth. - Fruit Juices and Berries:
Fruit juices like beets, blueberries, pomegranates, and cranberries can cause tooth stains. Blueberries and blackberries contain dark pigments that can discolour your teeth. - If you’re a regular soda drinker, don’t expect your teeth to look bright and brilliant. These drinks erode your enamel because of their acidic content and cause staining.
What Are the Side Effects of Teeth Whitening Treatment?
The active ingredients behind hollywood’s sparkly white smile may cause temporary sensitivity to your enamel and gum tissues.
- Gum Irritation
Gum irritation is also a common side effect of teeth whitening, but this can be prevented as long as your gum tissues are completely covered and protected during the treatment. The custom-made trays must fit your teeth well. Luckily, gum irritation is only temporary and doesn’t cause major complications. - Gum Whiteness
Another common side effect is gum whitening. Some patients find white patches in their gums due to the whitening solution. - Enamel Damage
When the bleaching solution is too strong, it can cause your tooth enamel to thin out. It also applies to teeth whitening products that contain abrasives. This doesn’t happen if the treatment is done in a dental office setting, since the concentration of the bleaching solution is carefully calculated so that it only produces the desired outcome.
Final Thoughts
If you want to achieve brighter, whiter teeth that look great and offer a host of other benefits, then consider teeth whitening.
Ellen Stirling Dental is here to help you get the beautiful smile you deserve. If you’re interested in learning more about our services or scheduling an online dental consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 08 6192 1036. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and help you get started on the path to an appealing smile and brighter teeth!
Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.
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