A Guide on Tooth Whitening
What Is It?
Tooth whitening is a process that lightens teeth and helps to take away stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the majority popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can considerably improve how your teeth look. Nearly all dentists perform tooth whitening.
The external layer of a tooth is called the enamel. Each day, a thin coating forms on the enamel and picks up stains. Tooth enamel as well contains pores that can hold stains. Whitening is not a one-time solution. It will need to be repeated from time to time if you want to keep the brighter color.
What It's Used For?
The nearly all common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are aging, tobacco, tea and coffee. All of these can blemish the surface of the teeth.
It is as well expected to have stains that are inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For instance, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child as teeth are developing. Added causes include tetracycline antibiotics. They can stain a child's teeth if taken by a mother at some stage in the second half of pregnancy or by a child who is 8 years old or younger. Teeth are still developing during these years.
Tooth whitening is most effectual on surface stains caused by foods, age, or drinks.
Preparation
Cavities need to be treated prior to teeth are whitened. That's for the reason that the whitening solution be able to pass through decayed areas and reach inner parts of the tooth. If this happens, your teeth may perhaps become sensitive. Whitening as well will not work on exposed tooth roots, which do not have an enamel layer. Receding gums can reason roots to become exposed. Whitening too does not work on crowns or veneers.
The tooth whitening can be done in the dental office or at house. For in-office whitening, your dentist possibly will photograph your teeth first. This step will assist him or her to monitor the progress of the treatment. Your dentist as well will examine your teeth and ask you questions to detect what kind of staining you have and how severe it is.
Whitening in the office may involve two to six visits. Each one is likely to be about 45 minutes long. When the check is complete, the dentist or a dental hygienist will clean your teeth. One time this is done, the whitening procedure begins.
For whitening at home, your dentist can make trays to hold the whitening gel that fit your teeth correctly. Home whitening generally takes two to three weeks. Over-the-counter kits also are extensively obtainable for home use. Talk to your dentist if you want to use these home products. Be certain to use them as said by directions to avoid overuse and probable damage to your teeth and mouth.
How It's Done
There are two most important types of whitening procedures. Non-vital whitening is made on a tooth that has had root-canal treatment and no longer has a live nerve. Vital whitening is carried out on teeth that have live nerves.
- Non-Vital Whitening
- Vital Whitening
Vital whitening might not improve the look of a tooth that has had root-canal treatment. If this is the casing, your dentist will make use of a different procedure that whitens the tooth from the inside. He or she will put a whitening agent inside the tooth and put an impermanent filling over it. The tooth will be left this way for numerous days. You might require this done only once, or it can be repeated until the tooth arrives at the desired shade.
The nearly all common type of vital tooth whitening uses a gel-like whitening solution. This product generally contains hydrogen peroxide. You will place the whitening gel in a tray that resembles a night safeguard or mouth guard. Then you place the tray over your teeth for a definite period of time - somewhere from an hour or two to overnight.
Tooth whitening can be done in the dentist's office or at home. In-office (chairside) whitening allows your dentist to take charge of the process - and your progress - more directly. In-office whitening generally takes 30 to 90 minutes. You will require at least two or three appointments with your dentist. The number of visits requisite will rely on the kind of discoloration and how white you would like your teeth to be.
Your dentist will start by asking about your medical history to learn how your teeth became discolored. Different types of stains will respond in a different way to the treatment. Your dentist will apply a unique protective gel, then the whitening agent. The most frequent substance used for in-office whitening is hydrogen peroxide.
Few whitening agents are activated by special lights or by heat. Subsequent to the whitening agent is applied; the dentist will shine the light on your teeth for a short time. Few dentists have started to utilize lasers in its place of a light or heat. Consumers like the high-tech aspects of laser treatments, however the technology is still too new - and too pricey - to justify its common use. The American Dental Association states that while the method may be safe, there are no published data on the safety or effectiveness of using lasers for tooth whitening.
If your teeth are poorly discolored, you may require more extensive whitening than can be done in the office. Otherwise you can decide you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home. For in-home whitening, your dentist will take senses of your teeth and will make one or two custom mouthpieces to fit you. The number will rely on whether you are having both upper and lower teeth whitened. It is significant that the mouthpiece fit well. A close fit helps the whitening agent to stay in contact with your teeth in place of irritating your gums. Over-the-counter mouthpieces are doubtful to fit correctly. They can cause gum irritation if the whitening agent seeps out. At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel your dentist provides. You will wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two. However, you possibly will need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.
Follow-Up
Your dentist may want to make out you not many days after in-office whitening to check your gums. If your gums were exposed to the whitening agent, they can become irritated. If you are whitening your teeth at home, your dentist will would like to confirm the process is working correctly, usually following a week.
Whitening is not an enduring solution. The stains will return. If you smoke or consume lots of staining foods or drinks, you can see the whiteness start to fade in as little as one month. If you keep away from these sources of staining, you may not necessitate another whitening treatment for six to 12 months.
Re-whitening can be made in the dentist's office or at home. If you have a custom-made mouthpiece and whitening instrument at home, you can whiten your teeth as often as you want to. You should talk about your whitening plan with your dentist. You can speak about what whitening products would work top for you.
Risks
Whitening is suspect to reason serious side effects, although a number of people's teeth may become more sensitive for a short while. You can get mild gum irritation also. Whitening procedures must not be done while a woman is expecting her child. The effect of the whitening materials on the development of the fetus is not recognized. As the procedure is cosmetic, it must be postponed until after delivery.
When to call a specialized
If you feel your teeth would help from whitening, speak to your dentist to talk about the procedure.
