Teeth Whitening

Foods and beverages that cause stains: Some liquids, such as coffee, red wine, dark tea, and soda, can leave stains on the surface. Foods with more strong colours, like blackberries and other dark-coloured fruits, can also stain your healthy teeth.

Genetics: Genetics has a significant role when it comes to tooth colour. A tooth’s enamel may be thicker or darker in composition depending on a person’s genetic makeup.

Age: Our teeth also wear down over time, just like the rest of our bodies. Therefore, our teeth become discoloured as we age.

Silver amalgam fillings: Silver fillings can discolour teeth and leave black stains. The sulphide in the amalgam produces this dark colour, so the teeth appear grey-black.

Smoking: Tobacco products can discolour teeth over time if used constantly. Dental health practitioners advise stopping not just for the sake of your teeth but also for your general health.

Excess fluoride: Too much fluoride, which is naturally present in tap water, can discolour or stain teeth, leaving white streaks.

Medications: The buildup of chemical compounds on your teeth from medicines over time tends to discolour your teeth since you can’t effectively remove them with brushing or flossing alone. Among these are tetracycline, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications.

Tetracycline use during pregnancy: When women take tetracycline antibiotics during pregnancy, their unborn children are at risk of having discoloured teeth.

In-office whitening

In-chair teeth whitening is a fast, simple dental treatment that brightens your smile immediately. The whitening solution is generally considered more potent than take-home teeth whitening kits. A custom tray keeps the whitening gel against your teeth while heat or light may be used to speed and intensify the bleaching process. Teeth will typically get two to eight shades lighter, requiring multiple 30-minute to 60-minute in-office whitening treatments.

Take-home whitening kits:

At-home teeth whitening kits are a less expensive choice than professional in-clinic whitening treatments. However, because the effect isn’t long-lasting, they need additional dental care. The results of using a take-home custom-fit tray should be noticeable in a week.

Over-the-counter bleaching kits:

You can easily buy DIY teeth whitening kits at drugstores, grocery stores, and online. They contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than those used in professional teeth whitening, so they are thought to be less risky.

Among the most common over-the-counter teeth whitening products are trays, toothpaste, gel, strips, and pens, which can be used anywhere. For over-the-counter whitening treatments to be successful, they must be used consistently.

Preparation: Obtaining the right shade of teeth begins with a dental exam. From it, they can determine the number of bleaching sessions necessary. The dental service provider can also determine what strength to use in a whitening solution to get the desired colour.

Cleaning: After evaluating your teeth, the dental practitioner will clean and polish them. A dry surface absorbs the whitening chemical efficiently; therefore, your dentist may place a gauze pad in your mouth as necessary. Cleaning the teeth before bleaching eliminates any plaque buildup, so the whitening procedure is as effective as possible.

Using whitening agents: Hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in whitening, is the ideal bleaching agent for teeth whitening. You will get your front teeth bleached, but your back teeth will not. The purpose of teeth whitening is to enhance your smile, and the backs of your teeth are not affected.

The bleaching solution penetrates and effectively removes teeth stains from within. It takes the dentist approximately 30 minutes to apply a solution to the teeth before moving on to the next stage.

Rinsing: Your mouth will then be thoroughly cleaned by the dentist. This is necessary to ensure that no residues remain. The dentist may brush your teeth at this time if fluoride therapy is being administered.

Fluoride treatment: Your teeth will be treated with fluoride varnish to keep them bright and white. Fluoride can also aid in the removal of plaque from your teeth.

It is possible that tooth whitening would not be appropriate for you if you have any of the following conditions:

• Sensitive teeth
• Dark stains or severe discolouration
• Smoking or using tobacco products.