Teeth Whitening Procedures Explained.

It’s not just wrinkle-free skin that shouts youthfulness.  Teeth whitening procedures also polish, and that shows youthfulness, health, and self confidence in your pearly whites. Holding back a smile because of discolored teeth not only throttles exuberance and self confidence but also adds and deepens age lines on the face. Stains from food, beverages like coffee, tea and colas, or tobacco products, accumulate over time and form a dull film on the surface enamel of teeth.
Pearly white smiles are restored using remedies for less than fit to be seen teeth. Whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure. The stain can be removed by gentle abrasion and thorough cleaning but this process is tedious, and achieving the desired results could take some time.
A quicker way to whiten teeth is by using bleaches. The most common bleaching agent is peroxide, the same thing used to bleach hair. Oxidizing bubbles released by the peroxide lift the pigments and debris off the teeth. The speed and degree of whitening would depend on the strength or concentration of the peroxide and the extent of discoloration.
As a general rule, teeth and gums must be clean and healthy, and cavities should be filled, before any teeth whitening treatment.

 Teeth Whitening Procedures:

•    In-office teeth whitening

In-office teeth whitening is by far the most expensive but the safest option because this is done by a licensed professional, the dentist, in his office. The procedure is done with sufficient care and attention to the patient’s safety and comfort. The dental grade (25-35%) hydrogen peroxide gel used in office would be unsafe anywhere else. The dentist carefully paints a resin based compound on the gums and cures this protective barrier with a special light. This will prevent chemical burns to the soft tissues.
Teeth whitening is sometimes accelerated by blue light exposure during the process. Desired results could be achieved in less than an hour on just a single visit. For those who don’t like to wait or are just looking for impromptu teeth whitening, this is the answer.

•   Do-it-yourself

Practically everything we want done or made we can do on our own nowadays. Do-it-yourself procedures are cheap and readily available. Over the counter products can be rinses, chewing gums, pastes, gels, and strips. These usually contain 10% peroxide. Higher concentrations might cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. Products with higher peroxide content sometimes have fluorides incorporated to strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity. Because of the lower peroxide content, it may take several applications before the desired whitening effect is achieved.

•    Customized treatment trays

A disadvantage of over the counter procedures is the difficulty of reaching teeth farther inside the mouth so only the front teeth are adequately whitened. If you don’t have someone to assist you in your mission to whiten your teeth, you can use custom dental treatment trays. These are made from an impression or mold of your mouth and are available from your dentist or a dental technician. The whitening product is placed in the tray, which is inserted in the mouth. After wearing the tray for the recommended time, uncover a beautiful white smile.

Precautions

Bleaching teeth is not recommended for children under 16, and pregnant or lactating women.
Accelerated bleaching can dehydrate teeth. Dehydrated teeth look white but revert to their original color when rehydrated, by saliva for instance. Dehydrated teeth can also cause tooth sensitivity.

There are many teeth whitening procedures available, and that is why you can choose the one that is right for you.