Teeth whitening is the cosmetic procedure used worldwide to remove stains and discoloration from teeth. In order to whiten your teeth you must go through a bleaching process to make them look whiter.
This cosmetic procedure is not recommended for everyone. The individuals who are will benefit the most from this procedure are:
Who should avoid Teeth Whitening?
The benefits of having your teeth whitened are that you are able to lighten your teeth's color and hide any stains or discoloration. Whitening is not permanent. People who expose their teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining (for example Coffee) may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as 1 month. Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before whitening, treatment or touch-up is necessary. The level of whiteness will vary from individual to individual depending on the condition your teeth are in, the type of stain, and most important the type of bleaching system used.
There are many reasons why people experience discoloration on their teeth. Some of those reasons are:
There are several types of procedures recommended to get rid of discoloration. The different types of teeth whitening procedures are the following:
Whitening Toothpastes: All toothpastes help remove surface stains because they contain mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes usually contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains deep in the tooth. Whitening toothpastes can lighten your tooth's color by a single shade.
Whitening Strips and Gels: Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for application twice a day for 14 days. In a few days, you will be able to see a difference in the color of teeth and it usually lasts for about 4 months. Whitening strips are very thin, virtually invisible strips that are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. The strips are applied twice daily for 30 minutes. Initial results are seen in a few days and results are sustained for about 4 months.
Tray-Based Tooth Whitening: Tray based tooth whitening systems are purchased either over the counter or from your dentist. They involve filling a mouth guard-like tray with a gel whitening solution - which contains a peroxide-bleaching agent - and wearing the tray for a period, generally from a couple hours a day to every day during the night for up to 4 weeks and even longer. It depends on the amount of staining and desired level of whitening.
Laser Tooth Whitening: Laser tooth whitening provides the quickest and most effective way to whiten teeth. The professional teeth whitening process begins with a minor cleaning and removal of any plaque along the gum line. Once this has been accomplished, a peroxide based gel is applied to the teeth. This gel contains a professional strength formula that ensures the laser accomplishes the maximum possible amount of teeth whitening. Next, a special light is used to activate the gel. This gel is used in combination with a laser. The light and heat accelerate the whitening process. However, to achieve dramatic results, several appointments are required. Your dentist or a dental surgeon can perform the laser tooth whitening procedure. The process usually takes about an hour, and whitens teeth by as many as 10 shades. If you have dark stained teeth, you may have to revisit your dentist for a second treatment depending how severe the stains. To achieve maximum results it is suggested that you avoid any foods that can cause discoloration for at least 48 hours.
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