Teeth Whitening
In Teeth whitening or bleaching, the discoloration of the teeth is done. This treatment helps to remove the stains from the stained teeth. Specific dental chemical agents are used by dental experts during the whitening process. Generally, 40 to 60 minutes are incurred for this treatment.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a process of removing stains from the tooth surface and restoring the natural color of the teeth. Whitening is a one-time procedure performed by a dentist. It is amongst the most common and widely adopted procedure. With the advent of the latest Dental technology, we have advanced whitening treatment procedures which give reliable and long-lasting results.
For better results do get it done from a trained dental professional.
Why do I Need to Whiten My Teeth ?
The reason for treatment differs from person to person. Like variations in our hair and skin color ,teeth color is also different from one person to another. Indications includes:
- Intrinsic tooth staining: Stains on Teeth
- Aesthetics: Makes Teeth look whiter thereby improving your smile.
- Fluorosis: Fluorosis causes pitting and yellow stains which can be made less evident by bleaching.
- Tetracycline staining: Tetracycline stains can be made less evident.
- Tobacco Staining: Stains due to tobacco can be made less visible by bleaching of teeth.
Procedure of Teeth Whitening
We know that the teeth is covered by a hard covering called the enamel and on the inside is the dentin. If you have a set of pale teeth it is largely because the enamel is thin and makes way for dentin to be visible from the outside. Teeth whitening involves enhancing the enamel layer to make it appear thicker and thus, making the overall look amazing. Before the treatment begins it is essential to check what caused the paleness per se. For this an entire teeth checkup is done followed by a mouth wash. The treatment is done by two methods in most cases, viz. The Vital whitening and the Non-vital whitening.
VITAL WHITENING
In this method a gel containing Hydrogen Peroxide is applied onto the teeth, while covering the gums so that they are not harmed, followed by a special light which activates the gel to start the bleaching. A hassle free process, and requires mostly one to two visits for 30-40 min each (depends highly on the patient) to the dentist.
NON-VITAL WHITENING
If you have had oral issues before and have gone through a Root Canal Treatment, then Vital whitening will not help as the paleness is because of the visibility of the dentin. For this a basic surgery, where a whitening agent will be put in the teeth and then a temporary filling will be put on it. This process will be repeated as many times, to get the desired look.
What is the need for Teeth Whitening ?
The enamel which reflects the natural color of your tooth can stain or dentin which is the inner surface of teeth stains and yellows the teeth. The causes of tooth discoloration are varied. Though many causes can be prevented yet there are some which are not in control. The causes of discoloration are:
- Consuming tea, coffee, wine, cola frequently
- Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco
- High intake of fluoride during childhood
- Damage of developing permanent teeth due to accident or trauma
- Aging can also contribute to staining of teeth as with age the enamel gets thinner exposing the dentin below. With age, the dentin come in contact with certain food and beverage and can stain your teeth
- Certain medical treatments can also contribute to staining of teeth
The process of Teeth Whitening clears the stain and make your teeth look whiter. However, one should keep in mind that the results may vary from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1. How often should you get your Teeth Whitened?
A teeth whitening treatment by professional lasts for about a year. Thus, undergoing a teeth whitening process after one year is considered healthy for overall oral health and a lasting smile. If you want to get expert teeth whitening treatment, get an appointment today.
Q. 2. Can one brush their teeth after the whitening process?
Brushing teeth right after a teeth whitening treatment is not advised by dentists. Individuals must allow few hours to pass before brushing the teeth for the first time after treatment.
Q. 3. Is Teeth Whitening permanent?
There are many types of teeth whitening treatment. The effect of each treatment differs from few months to up to three years. However, individuals who consume a lot of tea, coffee, and tobacco, or smoke will not be able to see the results for a longer time.
Q. 4. Does coconut oil whiten teeth?
There is no proven research that shows the usage of coconut oil for teeth whitening. Dentists suggest that individuals must refrain from experimenting with their teeth as it can lead to side effects too.
Q. 5. What is the cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment?
The teeth whitening cost differs on aspects like oral health situation of an individual and type of treatment selected. Patients must discuss with a dentist to get complete details of price for the teeth whitening treatment.