We all want a BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!! Your smile is one of the first things others will notice about you. You have no doubt heard about tooth whitening, but how does it really work? Is it effective? Are there risks involved? What are the different products available?
Please read ahead, as it may be the first step towards the brighter, whiter smile you have always wanted.
What Is Tooth Whitening?
Tooth Whitening is a procedure where dental bleach – usually Hydrogen Peroxide or Carbamide Peroxide – is applied to your teeth to lighten their colour. The bleach works by removing discolorations on the teeth and breaking down organic materials to give a whiter and brighter smile.
The bleach is most commonly placed in trays which have been custom fitted for your teeth. Simply wearing the trays for a few minutes a day for roughly 2 weeks can lead to some wonderful results.
What Causes My Teeth To Discolour In The First Place?
Some people naturally have darker teeth then what they would ideally like. Others have teeth that discolour over time. The most common causes of discoloration include consumption of food with colouring (berries), drinks (tea, coffee, red wine), use of antibiotics at a young age, smoking, trauma to teeth.
Whatever the cause, the majority of teeth, with the correct use of teeth bleaching can experience a significant improvement in colour.
Is The Treatment Safe?
Using dental bleach on sound healthy tooth structure has no known side effects. Some patients will, however, experience sensitivity during treatment. This sensitivity can be minimised by altering how the bleach is administered to the teeth. Dental bleach, though, when used on unhealthy teeth (eg. teeth with dental decay) can worsen and accelerate the progression of these problems. It is therefore imperative a thorough dental exam is undertaken before proceeding with bleaching to ensure the teeth are in proper condition to receive the bleach.
Clinical studies have shown that bleaching with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is a completely safe procedure.
How Long Will It Last?
This depends on what caused the teeth to discolour in the first place. If the causes of the initial discolouration can be identified and removed the teeth will remain whiter and brighter for a lot longer. If and when teeth do begin to discolour they can be restored to their original brightness by simply using the bleach for a couple of nights as a touch up.