Teeth Whitening

Many people feel confident thanks to their teeth brightening. Nowadays, Having a brilliant smile and getting rid of your discoloration problem is easy.

Teeth Whitening, also called Teeth Bleaching, is a cosmetic dental procedure aiming to restore the natural color of the teeth or lighten the natural color to be whiter.

It is a straightforward procedure available for most people and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Who can do a teeth whitening? 

Trust only a registered dental professional for teeth whitening because Bleaching by beauty salons or people who aren’t qualified may carry risks for your teeth and gum.

Furthermore, home whitening kits may also harm your teeth and gum. Ask your dentist before using home remedies for teeth bleaching to ensure safety.

What Causes Teeth Discoloration? 

Several factors cause a change in the teeth’ color, for instance:

Age

Below the outer enamel layer, there is a dentin layer. The outer enamel layer becomes thinner with brushing over time, and more yellowish dentin appears.

Genetics

It determines the color of the teeth from childbirth.

Food and Beverages

Some food and beverages contain pigments that attach to the teeth’ enamel and cause a change in the teeth’ color.

Tobacco

It consists of two materials: Tar and nicotine. Tar has a dark color, while nicotine is colorless. However, nicotine’s color becomes yellowish when mixed with oxygen, which causes tooth surface staining.

Medications

Some medicines cause teeth discoloration, such as blood pressure medications and antibiotics.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work? 

Teeth bleaching is done by changing the teeth’ color from the inside (internal whitening) or removing spots outside  (external whitening).

Internal Teeth Whitening 

It refers to whitening the inner part of teeth (dentin) by soaking up whitening gel. When this gel whitens teeth, it produces free radicals that link to the pigments in the spaces between enamel.

These free radicals reduce the dark pigment, reflecting less light.
When the teeth’ inner layer is whitened, the color reflected through the outer teeth’ enamel is lighter, making the teeth look whiter and brighter.

External Teeth Whitening 

It refers to whitening the outer part of the teeth by removing maculation from the enamel. It is usually used to remove smoking, drinking tea, or coffee stains. External whitening helps to improve the teeth’ color, but it doesn’t whiten them physically.

Read More: What can I Eat After Teeth Whitening?

What are the available choices for teeth Bleaching?  

Many teeth whitening options exist at home or at the dentist’s clinic.

Bleaching teeth in clinic dental

You’ll visit the office for a few sessions if you decide to whiten your teeth at the dentist’s clinic. 

Before starting the treatment, the dentist will apply a unique material to protect your gums.

The dentist will apply peroxide material onto the teeth and then use polymerization to harden the peroxide.

The dentist will repeat the same process every session to reach the desired result. 

Some dentists will use UV or laser light to speed up the whitening process. In this case, you will need one sitting only for two hours.

This procedure’s main feature is quick; its effect will appear within 24 to 48 hours. While using UV light to speed up the chemical reaction may damage the teeth and cause gum problems.

Bleaching teeth at home

You can whiten your teeth at home with a custom-made tray provided by your dentist. First, you will visit the dentist to take impressions. Once the tray is ready, they will check the fit of the tray.

You will take the whitening tray, which can keep for a long time, and the whitening gel to use at home. You will put the gel into the tray at home and place it in your mouth for one to three hours, according to your dentist’s instructions.

After three weeks or more of daily use, most people gain the desired results.
It would be best to be wary of the used gel’s strength and not use the tray for a long time to avoid damaging the pulp. You can achieve the best results by using a whitening tray at an affordable cost.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste can lighten your teeth by removing stains. This type of toothpaste is more abrasive than regular toothpaste. However, it can’t change the color of the teeth from the inside.

The whitening toothpaste helps remove stains, but you should not use it for more than a few weeks to avoid teeth and gum problems. However, it may cause sensitivity and lead to gum recession.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are small slices of a flexible plastic called polyethylene. Each piece is plated with a whitening gel. You will need one strip for the upper teeth and one for the lower.

Whitening strips may be unsafe because the whitening gel contacts the gums and other mouth tissues. It may also cause unpredictable results; the flat teeth surfaces will be whiter than the edges. However, a whitening strip is a cheap option for bleaching teeth, and its results appear in a few days.

Before rushing into the whitening procedure, you must meet your dentist to discuss the most suitable bleaching option, or they may advise you on another dental procedure.

Please find your most appropriate teeth whitening technique at HayatMed Book a free appointment with one of our professional dentists to determine whether whitening procedures would be helpful for you and the most suitable method.