How Can Teeth Whitening Help You Brighten Your Smile?
In the words of Phyllis Diller, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Everyone dreams of a crystal-clear, white smile, but our teeth lose their natural sparkle and whiteness. They may get discoloured due to various reasons, ranging from our eating habits to the natural aging process. Smiling with faded and stained teeth can make you embarrassed; you can take the dental procedure of “Teeth whitening” to brighten your smile. You should be aware of the details of the cosmetic dental procedure to bring back the shine to your smile.
What is Tooth Discoloration?
The change in natural colour of teeth is termed tooth discolouration. It may make the appearance of teeth darker, yellower or stained. The teeth are primarily off-white, but certain factors lead to unwanted changes in their colour.
There is a general dullness across all teeth, or some spots or marks appear in various places. It is necessary to understand the process of discolouration, as it can help you prevent further discolouration. It may also guide you in choosing the best and appropriate whitening method.
What Makes Teeth Lose Their Brightness?
- Your teeth are constantly exposed to various elements that can contribute to discolouration. The primary ones are certain foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas. These food items contain chromogens or tannins that can stain tooth enamel.
- Smoking is another factor involved in worsening the tooth colour. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products are notorious for causing dark and strong yellow or brown stains.
- In addition to lifestyle choices, natural aging may also reduce the shine of the teeth. As you get older, the outer layer of your teeth enamel gets thinner, which leads to revealing more of the yellowish dentin underneath.
- The use of certain medications like tetracycline antibiotics during tooth development can cause intrinsic staining (discolouration inside the tooth).
- Dental trauma due to accidents, falls, sports injuries, or blows to the face may also cause discolouration to your teeth.
- Fluoride is a friendly mineral for teeth, but its excessive exposure also dulls the teeth.
Types of Stains: Surface vs. Deep
You need to understand the type of stains on your teeth to have an effective whitening treatment accordingly. They are primarily of two types, based on their place of occurrence:
- Surface Stains: Surface Stains are also known as extrinsic stains. They are formed on the upper layer of the tooth enamel. These are primarily caused due to various factors., ranging from use of chromogenic substances ( pigmented foods and drinks ) , smoking to poor oral hygiene. They may easily be removed with professional dental cleanings or by use of various whitening products specialized for surface cleaning.
- Deep Stains: Deep stains are also known as intrinsic stains. These stains are formed on the inner side of the tooth, particularly in the dentin. They mainly occur due to aging. Other causative agents include use of particular medicines, trauma to the tooth or genetic reasons. These stains are more difficult to remove. They require strong professional whitening treatments that penetrate the enamel to reach the dentin (hard layer of tissue beneath the tooth enamel).
What Does the Teeth Whitening Procedure Include?
The cosmetic dental procedure of teeth whitening involves applying a bleaching agent to the teeth. It reduces the colour of marks and stains on the teeth. There are some specific steps you have to follow, whether you are taking it from a professional clinic or at home. You can have excellent teeth whitening services at Bel Air MD Dentist.
This dental process begins with a thorough dental check-up by a dentist who decides whether you can undertake this treatment or not after assessing your oral health. During professional treatments at clinics, a protective barrier is often applied to your gums to prevent irritation from the whitening gel. After all preventive measures, this gel is applied to the teeth.
How Whitening Products Work
Teeth whitening products are primarily composed of active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When these gels are applied to the tooth surface, they release oxygen molecules.These molecules then penetrate the microscopic pores of the tooth enamel and dentin. They react with the colored compounds responsible for stains, breaking down the accumulated tooth stains into smaller and colorless particles.
This process is generally safer as it improves the appearance of teeth without damaging the structure. Dentists apply higher concentrations to the teeth under their supervision to get more whitening of teeth.
What to Expect During the Process
Your expectations should be realistic while taking this treatment. This procedure does not provide an instant change in tooth colour. The bleaching agent requires some time to show results. In the clinic, the dentist applies this gel once or twice for an approximate duration of an hour.
In the case of take-home trays, there is consistent application of whitening gel for days or weeks. The final results depend on the quality of whitening material and the type of stains present. You can have a noticeable improvement in the brightness of your teeth.
How Can You Choose the Right Whitening Method?
You should choose the whitening treatment keeping in mind several factors, including the speed of results you want, your budget, the severity and type of stains, and your overall health. You may get confused when choosing between professional dental treatments and at-home solutions. By prioritizing the effectiveness, safety and convenience, you will be able to have the right option.
Professional Options
If you are looking for quick and magical results, professional teeth whitening options offered by a dentist can prove to be the best choice. This dental procedure is significant due to its immediate response. It can remove the stains within an hour.
Customized home trays are another option for professional treatment. Your dentist prepares your trays with equal gel distribution on it as per your dental impressions. These trays perfectly fit your teeth and minimize gum irritation. Use of these trays for few days or a week can whiten your teeth, leading you to a brighter smile.
Both of the mentioned processes are performed under the guidance or supervision of a dental professional. It makes them generally safer with more predictable outcomes.
At-Home Choices
If you want to whiten your teeth at your own pace and at your convenience, you can utilize several whitening products. These at-home choices include whitening strips, toothpaste, gels, and other similar products. They are not designed to offer noticeable improvement over a fixed period.
Whitening strips are flexible and coated with peroxide-based gel. These strips are directly applied to the teeth. They show some improvement by reducing mild to moderate surface stains. White toothpastes and gels contain minimal bleaching agents.
These at-home options are perfect for maintaining a white smile after professional treatment or for individuals with very minor discoloration.
Why Professional Guidance is Important
Although whitening products offer ease of use at home, it is always recommended to consult a dentist to ensure safety and better results. A dentist will advise you to use products that are suitable and effective for your oral health. Professional guidance can protect you from using hazardous, low-quality, costly, or fake whitening products.
What Are the Benefits of a Brighter Smile?
Achieving a brighter smile through teeth whitening not only looks good, but also feels good. A smile with sparkle offers you various benefits other than a good appearance. You will probably have positive vibes in the social and professional zones of life by investing in teeth whitening.
Boosting Your Confidence
A clear smile boosts your confidence level. Your beautiful smile motivates you to actively participate in the interactions. A clear smile helps you professionally become more approachable, capable and trustworthy during routine meetings, interviews and presentations. It is not merely a charming smile, but also a feeling of pride and satisfaction on your own.
Enhancing Your Appearance
Stained or dull teeth make you look older and less healthy. Whitening your teeth can help you gain a powerful transformation. You will feel more attractive and polished after this change, as it enhances your overall appearance.
Making a Positive Impression
As it is said, “A smile is the universal welcome”, your bright and beautiful smile gently welcomes positive vibes for you. You can communicate confidently with a positive outlook. You can freely gossip everywhere, without the fear of being judged as a smoker due to stained teeth.
FAQs:
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes, teeth whitening is generally a safe treatment. Moreover, it is always advised to perform this procedure under the supervision or guidance of a dental professional to ensure safety.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The extent of teeth whitening depends mainly on your eating habits and oral hygiene. While the quality of whitening gel, along with proper application, also matters in the age of whitened teeth.
Does teeth whitening hurt or cause tooth sensitivity?
Teeth whitening is not a painful procedure. It may involve some irritation of the gums that is prevented by use of protective barriers by the dentists.
What’s the difference between professional and at-home whitening?
Professional whitening involves a dental professional directly, as it is performed after proper consultation with them. It is more result-oriented as well as customized for use. On the other hand, at-home whitening primarily involves over-the-counter whitening products that do not necessarily involve the advice of a dentist.
