Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is the procedure of transforming the shade of the discolored tooth enamel to white. When teeth whitening is performed, dentists make use of different methods to deliver the result. Tooth whitening can be done through topical application of bleach, whereas laser tooth whitening involves activation of high-energy light. Teeth whitening can be done in the dentist’s office, at home under the guidance of a cosmetic dentist or at home using over-the-counter products.
There are many factors that might cause staining of teeth. These may include tobacco use, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, red wine and even age and poor oral hygiene. As these factors change over time, the tooth color will naturally darken. To whiten teeth, you need to take into account the staining that has already occurred so that the desired result can be achieved. Tooth whitening is normally desired when teeth are yellowed over time due to factors such as tobacco use, aging, staining from foods and beverages, medications, or diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
If you desire whiter teeth, you must choose a method that produces the best results. The type of procedure that your dentist will advise you to undergo will depend on the extent of the staining. If there are only small areas of discoloration, a simple bleach application can be used. If the staining is extensive, your dentist might advise you to undergo a peroxide-based solution or a laser procedure. If you have a lot of staining, you will probably need a combination of both topical and laser procedures.
Some people might wonder whether bleaching is suitable for the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Most dentists do not recommend bleaching the back teeth because they are more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Also, the acid in the bleaching solution can erode the gums if it touches the gum tissue. Peroxide can also stain your clothes if it comes into contact with them.
There are also home remedies available for bleaching teeth at home. For example, toothpaste can contain bleach if you follow the correct directions for its use. It can be applied to one tooth at a time. You need to brush your teeth and then rinse with warm water. You may need to repeat this procedure until the desired tooth color is achieved. You should speak with your dentist before trying to use toothpaste to whiten your teeth.
In addition, your dentist can use a variety of methods to remove stains from the teeth. One method is called scaling while another involves using liquid nitrogen to completely dissolve the stains from the surface of the teeth. A laser can also remove surface stains. Although all of these methods can provide effective results for people who have minor tooth discoloration, the most common reason for people to seek professional tooth whitening is due to intrinsic staining caused by smoking and coffee, as well as a lack of regular oral care.
You should know that the whitening process does not usually cover the back teeth. The process usually begins in the center of the mouth, where the staining is more pronounced. Under the enamel layer, a layer of chemical known as a white crystal is applied. This is mixed with hydrogen peroxide, which forms a thin layer on the teeth. If the whitening process had been begun in the front teeth, the layer would have extended down to the back teeth, where the discoloration would have been masked.
When you whiten your teeth, including with teeth whitening kits, you will likely experience some tooth sensitivity after the treatment. The reason for this is because the hydrogen peroxide used to whiten the teeth strips away the protective coating on the teeth, which allows some of the whitening product to be absorbed by the rest of your teeth. However, this redness should quickly go away as the residue from the product is neutralized by your body. Typically, the effects of the bleaching products will not last for more than one or two weeks.