There’s nothing like a million-dollar smile to boost confidence. When someone smiles, nobody likes to show off their gleaming yellow teeth. However, years of eating and drinking can leave their marks, so it’s normal for your once-dazzling smile to start appearing a little bit dingy as you get older. You can safely make them whiter and brighter if you’d like. There are numerous options available. You have two options for teeth whitening procedures: at-home kits or trips to the dentist. Although teeth whitening can have some side effects, most traditional whitening procedures are safe to use as long as you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How do teeth become discolored?
Teeth may turn yellow for a variety of reasons:
Discoloration from the outside
Teeth darkening caused by smoking, food, or drink is known as extrinsic discoloration. Tobacco, coffee, tea, and dye-containing foods can all cause this kind of staining. The surface of your teeth is stained by these substances. Whitening toothpaste that specifically targets external stains on teeth can be used to alleviate extrinsic discoloration.
Intrinsic discoloration
The source of intrinsic discoloration is the tooth itself. Intrinsic discoloration can result from aging, dental trauma, infections, childhood illnesses, and drug use. In order to achieve the same or even higher degree of tooth whiteness, intrinsic discoloration may require professional teeth whitening.
The kind of discoloration you have on your teeth should determine how you should whiten them.
Is teeth whitening effective?
It is common to observe a noticeable lightening of your teeth by many shades when using at-home tooth whitening treatments on a regular basis.
According to researchers, gel-filled trays exhibit the fastest outcomes, sometimes showing improvements in just a few days. Teeth usually become lighter in two weeks after using whitening strips and gels. Whitening rinses and toothpaste operate more gradually.
“You’ll start to notice a difference if you stick with it and follow the product instructions,” Dr. Clemons advises. However, don’t anticipate a significant transition from rather dark teeth to dazzling ones. It happens more gradually.
Stronger hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide concentrations used in professional whitening procedures may produce faster and more noticeable effects.
Are there risks to teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is generally regarded as safe. According to Dr. Clemons, millions of people, which includes many dentists, have been using the products for decades. “Moreover, we haven’t observed a rise in issues like cavities or broken teeth following teeth whitening,” she continues.
However, problems might come with any kind of treatment. “After using a whitening product, it’s very common to experience temporary sensitivity in your teeth or irritation to your gums,” Dr. Clemons explains. However, those two usually go fast. Extensive laboratory research indicates that bleaching with high intensity may lead to tooth attrition and structural alterations. Research also indicates that sealants, ceramic crowns, and other dental restorations may undergo a chemical reaction when exposed to whiteners However, Dr. Clemons cautions that these investigations were conducted in a lab setting rather than on living teeth. In summary? “Teeth whitening products have been carefully formulated to ensure they’re safe for use on your teeth, but there are risks with any sort of treatment,” she affirms.
Professional teeth whitening
Your dentist can whiten your teeth in the office or at home using various techniques. Typically, the techniques they employ involve using carbamide peroxide to bleach your teeth. This undergoes a chemical reaction that targets the tooth’s pigment and breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. It is regarded as a secure method of tooth whitening.
Treatment in the office
Because in-office whitening procedures are rapid to take effect, they may be advantageous. Moreover, the whitening effect might endure longer. Often, teeth whitening can be completed in just one hour or a few visits. This is a result of the applied products’ higher hydrogen peroxide concentration than that of the products you use at home. If you experience abfraction lesions or receding gums, in-office treatments are advised as well. To expedite the process, your dentist might additionally apply light to your teeth while administering the whitening solution, albeit this extra technique hasn’t always been shown to work.
Treatment provided by your dentist at home
Additionally, dentists can assist you in at-home tooth whitening. You might be able to get custom-fit trays made by your dentist to fit your mouth. To whiten your teeth, you will put a gel in it and wear the tray for 30 to 1 hour a day for a few weeks, as directed by your dentist.
Teeth whitening products
There are over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products for discolored teeth. These products contain quite less carbamide peroxide than those used by dentists, or none at all, in contrast to those that are administered by dentists. This implies that over-the-counter teeth whiteners may not be as effective or may take longer to whiten teeth if they are naturally pigmented.
The American Dental Association has approved several over-the-counter products. This seal intends to give you more confidence when making decisions about what to buy and to guarantee that the product you’re using is safe. Not all products have it, and some that do are nonetheless safe to use.
When utilizing a product, always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions.
Whitening toothpaste for whitening does not contain carbamide peroxide. Instead, abrasives and the chemical blue covering are among the chemicals these toothpastes use to target the surface of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste may take some time to show results, but those containing blue covarine may do so after just one brush because the chemical gives the appearance of whiter teeth.
whitening patches
Additionally, over-the-counter teeth whitening strips are available. Comparatively speaking, these have less hydrogen peroxide than professional products. As the manufacturer directs, you apply them to your teeth once or twice a day for a specified amount of time.
There are numerous whitening strip options on the market, with differing bleaching agent concentrations.
Maintaining your results
Your oral hygiene, eating, and drinking habits can affect how long the effects of tooth whitening stay. Even after whitening procedures are finished, some foods and drinks, like coffee and tea, can still stain your teeth. Rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth right away after consuming food or liquids helps prevent these discoloring substances from adhering to your teeth’s surface and lessen the likelihood that plaque will accumulate! Using dentist-approved techniques to whiten your teeth is regarded as safe. Always follow the product’s instructions and utilize the procedure that best suits your needs. In case you have any adverse effects, get in touch with your dentist.