Teeth Whitening 101: Get the Facts

Teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These bleaches make the colour less strenuous and your teeth brighter. They do not make your teeth brilliant white but lighten the existing colour by several shades. Whitening is often desirable when teeth become yellow over time for a number of reasons like;

• Tobacco usage
• Drugs/Medications
• Oldness
• Foods and drinks
• Trauma

What Happens Before and During Teeth Whitening?

Before your teeth whitening treatment appointment, it is crucial to visit your dentist near you for a check-up, ask for a full clean, and buy numbing toothpaste if you have sensitive teeth.

The check-up gives your dentist time to decide which type of treatment is right for your stains. Stains from food, drinks, and tobacco are easily removable, some stains caused by medication or disease require more intense processes. Through identifying the cause of your stains, your dentist can recommend the best course of action.

Importance of having an excellent clean removes the plaque and tartar that builds up in hard to reach places and is hard to remove at home. Tartar, plaque and other sediments hamper the impact of the whitening treatment. Lastly, if you have sensitive teeth, invest in some desensitizing toothpaste.

Whitening procedures come with a common side effect of teeth and gum and sensitivity. With a desensitizing toothpaste, it will lessen some of the discomforts you would experience during the treatment.

What are My Whitening Options?

Talk to your dentist before starting. There are four ways to put the shine back in your smile:

• Toothpastes Blemish Removal

Toothpaste help remove surface stain through the action of trivial abrasives that scrub the teeth. Look for bleaching kinds of toothpaste that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for stain removal (shown on the package). These kinds of toothpaste have supplementary enhancing agents that are safe for your teeth and provide stain removal effectiveness. They do not change the color of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.

• In-Office Bleaching

This process is usually requiring only one office visit. The dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect your gums. Bleach is then applied to the teeth.

• At-Home Based Whitening from Your Dentist

Your dentist can provide you with a custom-built tray for at-home whitening. The dentist then gives you directions on how to place the bleaching solution in the tray and the length of time. This is a preferred option if you feel more comfortable whitening in your own home at a leisurely pace, but still with the guidance of a dentist.

The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?

It’s vital to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of staining. For example, yellow teeth will possibly lighten well, brown teeth may not respond as well, and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all.

Bleaching will not work on covers, coatings, crowns or fillings. It also won’t be operational if medications or a tooth injury causes your tooth discoloration.

Are There Any Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

Your gums will become sensitive no matter what treatment you use due to the chemicals used in the process specifically to persons already with sensitive teeth. There’s also a chance of burns to gums, and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel. In most cases, the sensitivity is temporary. You can delay treatment, then try again.

Overuse of whiteners can also damage the tooth enamel or gums, so be sure to follow directions and talk to your dentist.

How do I Find Out About Getting My Teeth Whitened?

At Eldorado Hills, your dentist will advise you whether whitening is right for you. It may be that teeth whitening isn’t suitable, for example, if you have gum disease or crowns.

Find your nearest dentist.

Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

It isn’t permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won’t last as long for persons who smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

The benefit of teeth whitening is an improved, whiter and brighter smile which enhances your appearance. However, in addition to the aesthetic results other benefits include;

• Increased self-confidence
• Boosts one’s self-esteem
• It kills bacteria that may cause gum disease or tooth decay
• Whitening is the easiest anti-ageing procedure
• Oral health care is improved

Will our teeth whitening treatment work for you? Get in touch for a consultation to learn more about our approach to cosmetic dentistry at El Dorado Hills, CA. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patient’s oral health needs. Our other services include dental veneers, dentures, dental crowns, dental implants, sleep apnea, dentist, cosmetic dentist and more.