Tooth whitening is becoming an inexpensive way to improve your smile and look like a celebrity. But getting whiter teeth is a process that takes time and effort in order to find the right tooth whitening expert. There are things you need to know about this process before going undertaking it.

Begin the process by speaking with your dentist to see if he or she does tooth whitening and whether or not you would benefit from the tooth whitening procedure. Tooth Whiteners might not correct all forms or discolouration. For example, yellowish-coloured teeth will likely bleach well, while on brownish-coloured teeth the bleach will be less effective in resulting in whiter teeth. Greyish-coloured teeth may not be able to be bleached at all. 

In addition, if you’ve had bonding or tooth colored fillings on your front teeth, you will not get these parts bleached at all and the tooth whitening will be uneven. The tooth whitener won’t bleach the bonded or filled areas and they will stand out as being off-colour in the presence of the natural whiter teeth. In such a case, you may wish to look into porcelain veneers or dental bonding. 

One option for whiter teeth is called “in-office bleaching”. This is also called chair-side bleaching and may not work in just one treatment. Each treatment may take from 30 minutes to one hour. The tooth whitening specialist will apply a special protective gel to the gums or will use a rubber shield to keep the tooth whitening material from getting on soft tissue. The bleaching agent is added to the teeth and then a special light may be used to help make the tooth whitening material work more effectively. Some tooth whitening procedures use a laser to enhance the product but this is less well accepted in dentistry.

For those wanting whiter teeth without having to go the dentist, there are several tooth whitening products for home use, some of which can be dispensed by the dentist and others  can be purchased over the counter. Many bleaching solutions contain peroxide which actually bleaches the enamel of the teeth. The product most commonly used is carbamide peroxide, which acts as a nice tooth whitening agent. These products come in several different concentrations: 10%, 16% and 22%. Such products come as a gel placed in a mouth guard and the individual uses it about twice daily for two weeks. Other products are used overnight for 1-2 weeks. The bleaching solution can be obtained from a dentist and a custom-fitted mouth guard can be made by the dentist.  This technique will give you whiter teeth in just two weeks. Currently only 10% carbamide peroxide is available for home use. Remember that the tooth whitening procedure can cause side effects, such as irritation of the gums or sensitive teeth during the process. Discuss these issues with your dentist before you start the procedure at home. 

 

Cosmetic Surgery > Cosmetic Dentistry