Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening is a procedure that is considered more a part of cosmetic dentistry than general. It is a non-medical procedure that doesn’t make your teeth healthier but makes them whiter and your smile brighter. It is a procedure that does wonders for one’s self-esteem and confidence.
This procedure has been referred to as the reason behind the bright and white smiles of Hollywood celebrities. Mostly done for reasons of vanity, whitening comes in two types: bleaching, to change the color of the tooth enamel and remove stains both on the surface and those embedded deeper in the teeth and whitening toothpastes that uses an abrasive material that scrapes off stains and polishes the teeth. Bleaching can either be done at the dentist’s office or by yourself at home using a kit that the dentist gives you or bought over the counter.
If you have the procedure done in-office, the dentist uses a special laser light to speed up the activation of the bleach’s active ingredient carbamide peroxide. This usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour and will require more than one visit to be effective. Doing it by yourself at home on the other hand, requires using a custom-fitted mouthpiece where you put the bleach in gel form which you wear for a specified time. It is recommended however, that you have the bleaching done at a dentist’s office since the dentist can do an oral evaluation to determine your medical history which may hold the answer to your teeth discoloration. This will then enable the dentist to come up with an appropriate course of treatment.
As easy as tooth whitening in Sydney sounds, it not permanent and will require you to come back for touch ups or repetitions to the dentist’s office. People who continue to eat food or drink beverages that cause stains will start to see the whiteness fade in as little as one month while people who do avoid stain-causing food and beverages like coffee, tea or red wine can expect the whiteness to last over a year before they need to go back for another round of treatment or touch-ups. It is important to note as well that the whiteness level will depend on the original condition of the teeth, cause of the stains, the type of bleaching system and for how long it is used. Other whitening products that can be of similar help include whitening toothpastes, strips and trays.
Even though whitening your teeth presents many advantages aesthetically, it is also a procedure that is not for everybody. It is ideally for people who have healthy gums and teeth, particularly those who haven’t undergone any type of restoration like getting crowns or fillings. However, there are some cases where tooth whitening must not be done and these include being pregnant or lactating, being under the age of 16, having sensitive teeth and allergies, having gum disease, worn enamel and those with exposed roots and cavities and those with darkly stained teeth. If you have or are going through any of the conditions stated, you need to consult with a dentist first regarding what options are best for you to prevent any disappointments in the event of any unsuccessful treatments.
Although the process of whitening your teeth may seem like a no-brainer, remember that the chemicals contained in the bleaching agents or toothpastes may trigger side effects that can pose as serious health risks. Before trying this procedure on for size, always remember to first consult with a dentist as sometimes, all you may need is a professional cleaning and an a mouth examination to get those pearly whites to shine. Other times, you may have inflamed gums so you may have to postpone it for another time. If you do decide to do it at home, always remember to choose a product with a mid-range bleaching agent and always follow instructions to the letter. More or less isn’t necessarily better and can leave you with more problems than you can handle.
Most importantly, know when too much is too much. Again, the whitening process will depend on the original condition of your teeth so if you have achieved your desired whiteness, a touch up once a month is usually enough.
