A perfect set of teeth is as beautiful as a row of white pearls. If you suffer from discolored, yellow teeth, do not lose heart yet because help is at hand.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular, effective and economical procedures to get you the gorgeous smile that you have always wanted. If your teeth have been stained by natural or lifestyle factors, they can be whitened back to their former state with the help of the quick and easy teeth whitening procedure.
How does the teeth get discolored or stained?
Your teeth may change color because of many reasons.
The natural causes include changes in the mineral structure of the teeth. The top most layer of the teeth is called enamel and it is the enamel that determines how bright and white your teeth are. With age, enamel loses its porosity and the inner layer of dentin becomes more visible. This makes the teeth appear yellow.
External staining may also happen because you consume foods that have staining pigments. Coffee, tea, soy sauce, curry, colas, grape juice, blueberries or red wine etc. are all known staining agents. If you consume these items on a regular basis, sooner or later, your teeth will get stained. But does that mean that you have to stop consuming these foods? Not at all. Just bleach or whiten your teeth once in a while and you are good to go.
Tough staining can also be caused by smoking. Nicotine stains can even make the teeth appear brown. Teeth bleaching can help remove even the toughest of nicotine stains.
How does teeth bleaching whiten your teeth?
Special gels made from hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used for whitening the teeth. The gel is applied on the teeth and exposed to high intensity light to induce an oxidizing reaction. The procedure is done in three short sessions of about 20 minutes each.
You need to do about two or three sessions for the teeth to whiten to the desired shade. The procedure is pain-free and you can see the results right after the first sitting.
With the help of an experienced and qualified dentist, your teeth can be whitened up to even seven shades whiter.
What about over the counter teeth bleaching kits?
There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening kits available in the market today. Most of the products used by dentists are similar to the ones in the kits, with slight variations in the percentage of peroxide used.
However, there are significant differences between an in-office and home bleaching procedure.
Degree of customization
The home bleaching kits follow a one-size-fits all approach. The percentage of peroxide concentration, the size and structure of the bleaching tray and strips etc. are standardized. This is not always going to produce the best results. They produce uneven, temporary results. There is also the danger of over-whitening by enthusiastic patients. There is only one thing that is worse than yellow teeth, and that is unnaturally white teeth.
Health of your teeth
Before you bleach the teeth, it is very important to ensure that you do not suffer from cavities, teeth sensitivity or gum diseases. Bleach, if applied on unhealthy teeth, can cause a lot of pain. Only a qualified dentist can assure you of the health of your teeth.
To know more about how teeth bleaching can give you a great smile, get in touch with Santa Monica dentist today. |
