Important Things to Know About Teeth Whitening

Many of us have stained and discoloured teeth. And there are many causes for this condition: drinking too much coffee, tea or red wine; smoking; aging; trauma; and medication. Though a common problem, it should not be ignored as it can hamper your appearance and lower your self-confidence. If you are wondering how to fix your discoloured teeth, we have a solution: teeth whitening. This blog post will walk you through all the important things you should know about this dental treatment.

Everything You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

What Is Teeth Whitening?

This is an effective way to remove teeth stains. It involves bleaching your teeth to lighten stains without removing the outer surface to ensure you have healthy-looking teeth.

How Does It Work?

Teeth whitening is a simple process that includes two main bleaches, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These solutions clear the surface of discoloured teeth by breaking stains into smaller pieces.

Does It Work for Everyone?

No, which is why you should consult your dentist first. This is because whitening may not be effective for all types of discolouration. For instance, bleaching works well on yellow teeth but not brown ones. Teeth with grey tones, meanwhile, may not be responsive to bleaching at all. This procedure also does not work on crowns, fillings, veneers or caps. Furthermore, it will not whiten teeth discoloured by injury or medication.

What Are Your Teeth Whitening Options?

There are three ways to get back your pearly whites:

1. In-Office Treatment

If you are in a hurry, this method is best. Your dentist will conduct the process after checking your dental condition and medication history. Thereafter, they apply the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and let it sit. They may also use UV light while applying whitening agents to speed up the process. Though not a mandatory procedure, it’s the right choice if you have receding gums or abfraction lesions.

2. At-Home Treatment

Dentists can also help you treat your teeth at home by creating a tray customized to fit your mouth and a gel to wear the appliance. You wear it 30 minutes to an hour for a few weeks based on your needs.

3. Over-The-Counter Bleaching Products

There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as toothpastes and strips, that work wonders on your teeth. Whitening toothpastes contain abrasives and the chemical blue covarine to make your teeth appear whiter. Though these toothpastes may take time to work, the ones containing blue covarine may require just one treatment. On the other hand, whitening strips contain a smaller amount of hydrogen peroxide that are applied once or twice a day based on manufacturer instructions.

Some Important Facts About Teeth Whitening

What you need to know about whitening your teeth:

• Teeth whitening doesn’t damage your teeth.
• Tooth sensitivity is quite common after the whitening procedure.
• Laser or UV light may or may not be used in in-office treatments.
• Stains cannot be removed from your teeth overnight.
• Dental caps and veneers cannot be whitened.
• Not everyone’s teeth are candidates for teeth whitening.
• The best time to use over-the-counter teeth whitening products is before going to bed.

Teeth whitening is a great way to get pearly whites in just a few weeks. However, this procedure may not work for everyone, especially those of us who wear dental caps and veneers or have grey teeth stains. That’s why before trying out teeth whitening products you should consult your dentist and find out what works best for you.

Jessica Arnold is a specialist in blogging, article writing and press releases. With a degree in journalism Ms. Arnold started her career as a Communication Manager for a start-up.