It is time to make the right and the white choice for your smile!
Most people have pearly white teeth, while some of them have yellow teeth naturally. The color of the teeth is dependent on the color of the inner layer- dentin. However, most of the time, the teeth can get severely stained due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as dietary habits or internal diseases.
At times, the stains and yellowing of teeth can be treated by the routine scaling and polishing procedure, while the naturally discolored or porous teeth require a more robust dental treatment such as teeth whitening. The best part is if you get anxiety while visiting the dental clinic, you can get a professional at-home teeth whitening kit after consulting your dentist.
Although, as fascinating as getting a brighter and whiter smile from home sounds, you cannot just randomly pick up any kit from the market and do it as you want- it may harm your teeth. To get excellent results for teeth whitening, you have to learn to use it the proper way.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that involves the use of chemical or bleaching agents to lighten the shade of teeth. You may get a little confused on how scaling and polishing differs from teeth whitening because both procedures are considered to “clean” the teeth.
Well, scaling and polishing involve the removal of stains, calculus, and debris from only the surface and interdental spaces of the teeth. Whereas, teeth whitening or bleaching uses an active chemical agent that penetrates into the inner layers of the teeth and whitens them from inside, giving more effective results with whitening.
Moreover, scaling and polishing can only be performed in the dental clinic by the dental hygienist or the dentists, yet teeth whitening can be done at home after proper education and guidance from the dentist. There are two types of teeth whitening: in-office teeth bleaching and at-home teeth whitening.
Professional In-Office Tooth Whitening
This procedure- as the name suggests- is performed in the dental office to make your smile glow. The dentists apply a diluted whitening agent on the teeth after covering the soft tissues with cotton or other precautionary materials. The bleaching agent is activated by exposing it to heat, light, or a blend of the two to speed up and enhance the end results.
The in-office whitening procedure takes about 30-60 minutes and can turn the teeth 4-8 shades lighter or as per the patient’s preference. Teeth whitening can be done in a single visit or may require multiple visits to achieve the desired results.
Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening
Most of the people have the patience of a hummingbird or simply cannot stand the aura of the dental clinic and prefer getting whitening done at home. For at-home teeth whitening, there are specific options, such as:
At-home teeth whitening strips and gels.
There are ready-to-apply gels and whitening strips available in the market that are loaded with a peroxide bleaching agent. These can be applied to the teeth once or twice a day for a week or 10 days as recommended by the dentist.
Custom tray-based teeth whitening system.
A dentist can make a custom-made whitening tray that fits perfectly into a patient’s mouth like a mouthguard. The patient is instructed to load this tray with the bleaching agent and then insert in the mouth and bite on it for an hour or so for 4 weeks daily. There are over-the-counter, one-size for all kinds of trays that are also available for use. However, a dentist mostly recommends custom-made trays as they enhance the whitening results as the surface of the teeth are covered properly.
Tooth whitening toothpaste.
These are not as effective as other at-home whitening methods, yet can provide acceptable results with mild stains. A teeth whitening toothpaste is different from the normal fluoride toothpaste that we use. These toothpastes are laden with different bleaching and polishing agents that can remove the stains and also make the teeth a least one shade lighter.
Nobody minds white sparkling white teeth. I mean, I would want my teeth to be all pearly and my smile bright. However, people believe that teeth whitening agents can make the teeth weak and sensitive- compromising their dental health. Well, it is not true. In-office or at-home teeth whitening is an effective, safe procedure. To achieve incredibly pleasing results, it is essential teeth-whitening is performed with professional care and guidance.
Tips to Keep Your Teeth White after Teeth-Whitening Procedure
To keep your teeth white for long, it is essential that you practice good oral hygiene habits and maintain good dental health. Here are some tips that can maintain the whiteness of your teeth for long:
*Always rinse your mouth after a meal or drinking any sugary stuff
*Increase your intake of water
*Stop using tobacco or smoke
*Reduce the intake of drinks that cause staining, such as tea, coffee, or wine
*Do not drink acidic beverages directly, instead use a straw to avoid direct exposure to teeth
*Increase the intake of healthy foods such as green vegetables and fruits
Your eating and cleaning habits and routine dental check-ups decide how long the teeth whitening results will last. With good habits, the results can last from 6 months to up to 3 years. You can also go for in-office teeth whitening, and then follow up with in-home whitening touch-ups after consulting your dentist.
Go brighter and make your smile whiter! A beautiful and healthy smile is the epitome of dental and overall health. Visit your dentists for more information on professional at-home teeth whitening and then decide the best for yourself. Until then, take great care of your teeth!
Once the teeth go white, your smile will always be bright!
