Science Says; The Most Effective Method
Tooth whitening performed by a dentist in-office is the most effective way to get the best and safest results. Stronger agents are used, but the mouth and gums are protected, and the dentist can customize the concentration of the bleaching agent. Further, a dentist can manage any treatment. teeth may be whitened up to 10 shades in just one hour.
The second – most beneficial whitening system would be a dentist-supervised at-home bleaching product, which uses custom-fitted tooth trays. The bleaching agent usually contains about 10% carbamide peroxide and is used for two weeks, for about eight hours per night.
Am I a Candidate For Whitening?
Tooth whitening is safe for most people and the best candidates are those who only have mild to moderate discolouration that cannot be corrected by whitening treatments, and there are certain dental or medical conditions that may reduce the chances tooth whitening will work for you These include.
⦁ Porcelain veneers, dental crowns, caps, fillings, or dental bonding on the front teeth. These synthetic materials do not respond well to bleaching products. You may need new crowns or veneers if you want these teeth to appear whiter.
⦁ Yellow teeth usually bleach well however brown teeth may not whiten spots, or discolouration from a “dead” tooth may not bleach at all.
⦁ Some conditions may become worse if teeth are bleached. These include.
Whitening Strips
One of the most popular ways to whiten teeth is with teeth whitenings strips. These are made from a thin, flexible plastic and coated with a low concentration of bleaching product. The strips are pre-packaged and placed on the teeth, easily conforming to the shape of the teeth. They can be worn while doing other activities, and when the application time is up (usually about 30minites) they are discarded. Most are used twice daily for two weeks.
Strips are more effective than whitening toothpaste, but they can cause sensitive teeth and gum irritation. Tell your dentist if you use whitening. Strips and dilute the bleach. Strips may not be long enough for a wide smile, and they often slip out of place.
most whitening strips are considered safe, as the strength of the peroxide is low. However, be careful to avoid strips that contain chlorine.
How does Teeth Whitening Work?
Tooth “whitening” is defined as any process that will make teeth appear whiter. There are two ways this is commonly done, bleaching and non-bleaching whitening products. Ofen the terms “bleaching” and “whitening” are used interchangeably, but U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) states the term “bleaching” can only be used when a product is considered simply “whitening” when it removes food or debris from the teeth without bleach.
Bleaching products contain peroxide (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) and these products remove both surface and deep stains on teeth and can cause teeth to become even lighter than their natural shade.
Whitening Trays
Tooth whitening trays are one method of whitening your teeth at home. Dentists recommend dentist-dispensed take-home whitening kits because they contain a higher percentage of bleach for better results.
The dentist will take custom moulds of your teeth and create fitted application trays made of flexible plastic. Fitted trays ensure bleach stays in close contact with the teeth for best results, they prevent saliva from diluting the bleach that can leak out and possibly irritate the gums. Over-the-counter trays do not fit the teeth precisely, leading to leakage of bleach and sensitive gums.
Tooth bleaching products are either stored in syringes and added to trays before use, or pre-loaded into the trays. A dentist can also adjust the bleach concentration and give you a desensitizing agent to use before or after application. Kit often provides enough gel for one two-week treatment per year, plus enough for a few touch-ups in between.
These include sensitive teeth or teeth with worn enamel and patients with bruxism(grinding or gnashing of teeth) or (TMJ/TMD). In-office whitening procedures may be able to be performed in some cases with these conditions. Consult Your dentist.
Tooth whitening is not effective if tooth discolouration is caused by medications or tooth injury.
Let the Dentist do the Whitening
The American Dental Association(ADA) recommends if you choose to bleach your teeth you consult a dentist first.A dentist can come up with the best whitening options for you and supervise a treatment plan to avoid complications.
Professional whitening can be done in a dentist’s office in about an hour. The procedure involves the application of a tooth whitening gel containing between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide, and then aiming a special heating lamp at your teeth for three 20 minute intervals, with reapplication of the gel between intervals. Some dentists may also use a laser, which is reported to accelerate or activate the whitening process. A protective barrier is used during the whitening procedure to keep your lips. gums, and tongue away from the whitening gel so it stays in place on your teeth. For optimal results, the dentist will usually give you whitening trays moulded for your teeth so you can follow up at home with bleaching solutions.
A tooth whitening treatment at a dentist’s office can cost about $500 for the light treatment.
So You Want Whiter Teeth?
Who doesn’t love a dazzling? White Smile? Tooth whitening is one of the most requested dental procedures done every year, With Americans spending nearly $2 billion annually to keep their smiles looking bright.
Over time, drinking coffee, red wine smoking cigarettes, and simply again can stain our teeth,as can certain medications such as tetracycline.
If you’re looking to spruce up your smile there are many options available. The following slides provide some tips to help you choose the best tooth whitener for you!
What’s In Bleaching Products?
The active ingredient in tooth whiteners available from dentists or drugstores is peroxide (hydrogen or carbamide). Hydrogen peroxide is the actual bleaching agent, while carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide.
the bleaching products you can get from a dentist are much stronger than those purchased over-the-counter. Whitening used by dentists may have as much as 35% to 45% peroxide while store-bought whitening kits such as whitening strips or trays usually have just 7% peroxide. Other ingredients in both dentist-dispensed and OTC whiteners include glycerin, carbopol, sodium hydroxide and flavourings.