Summary: Teeth Whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve the overall look of your smile. Once the preserve of movie stars, it is now both affordable and readily available, and there are quite a few options to choose from.
Teeth whitening term refers to a cosmetic dental procedure performed to whiten teeth. This in fact, is the most frequently applied dental procedure. The teeth whitening process usually involves bleaching of teeth in order to remove stains and brighten the patient’s smile.
Teeth Discoloration Causes
Many different factors contribute to teeth discoloration, but one of the most common causes is the food and beverages you consume. Certain foods and drinks like berries, red wine, coffee, tea, and soda will discolor your teeth if frequently consumed over a long period of time. Some antibiotics, most notable tetracycline can stain your teeth as well.
Another reason for tooth discoloration is smoking. Keep in mind that some people have naturally yellowish teeth, and in this case, the color of their smile is determined by their genetics.
Teeth Whitening Options
There are many different Teeth Whitening Stafford options available on the market, due to the popularity of tooth whitening. The whitening procedure can be performed in a dental office or in the comfort of your own home. The in-office teeth whitening usually yields better and quicker results compared to at-home whitening. If you whiten your teeth in a dental office, it is very likely to see results right after the procedure has been completed.
Many people do not feel comfortable in a dental office and if that’s the case at-home teeth whitening can be a better choice. You can whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products like whitening strips or trays with whitening gel.
You can also use a whitening product prescribed by your dentist, which is usually a mouth tray with strong bleaching gel. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, make sure that you follow the application instructions your dentist provided or the instructions that come with the over-the-counter whitening product.
Teeth Whitening Costs
Teeth whitening costs vary greatly depending on the method of whitening you choose. Obviously, in-office teeth whitening performed by dentists will be the most expensive option and it may from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Over-the-counter products are cheaper teeth whitening alternatives with a price tag starting at $30.
After a Teeth Whitening Procedure
Teeth whitening results do not last forever – on average you can expect between several months and a year. However, the good news is that you can prolong the effects of teeth whitening by simply avoiding foods and beverages that stain teeth and smoking. Such foods and drinks include but are not limited to coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. If you decide to consume these foods then brush your teeth immediately after.
Teeth Whitening Results
If the same teeth whitening procedure is applied to two different persons, most likely the results will be different. Not all teeth respond to whitening equally well. For example, if teeth have a yellow shade, chances are that they can be whitened fairly easily. If the teeth are gray in color, then whitening might be much harder, if not impossible. If you are thinking about teeth whitening, then is advisable to consult your dentist first, as they can recommend the best teeth whitening treatment for you.
What different types exist?
There are quite a few options available to choose from. Most artificial methods rely on some form of peroxide to remove stains and bleach your teeth white. When peroxide compounds are used, oxygen is released and bleaches the pigmented substances present in the enamel of the teeth. This method restores the natural color of the teeth without corroding the surface enamel.
Teeth whitening procedures can be performed at a dentist’s office, or in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the popular techniques.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste contains certain mildly abrasive components which help scrub away the surface stains and leave teeth looking cleaner and whiter. They don’t however have a bleaching action. Whitening toothpaste is generally not as effective as other methods of teeth whitening.
Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips come in the form of sticky tape that may be directly applied across the front of the teeth. They contain a bleaching solution that incorporates a peroxide compound and is usually used twice a day for about half an hour each time. Teeth whitening strips may be bought over the counter as well as from your dentist.
Whitening Gels
Teeth whitening gels are also peroxide based, and they are applied over the teeth with a small brush. Self-application gel kits are available that can be used at home. The kit usually comes with a peroxide gel-filled mouth tray that is fitted to your teeth. They are simple to use, reasonably affordable, and effective.
Whitening procedures at the Dental Clinic
Cosmetic dentist in Lorton can perform this procedure, which involves the direct application of a gel to the teeth under controlled heating, with the help of a special light or laser, or even a combination of the three. The procedure will typically last 30 to 60 minutes, and sometimes requires more than one sitting to be properly effective. This procedure will give you quick results and will be correspondingly more expensive when compared with the home whitening kit.
Treatment under Dental Supervision
This is one of the more popular methods of teeth whitening and can be slightly more affordable when compared to the procedure performed by a cosmetic dentist.
A custom-made tooth tray containing carbamide peroxide gel is provided. This is considered to be more effective than treatment using hydrogen peroxide, and reaches virtually every contour of teeth, rendering them as white as possible.
The method of usage is similar to that of a teeth whitening gel kit, and the tray supplied can be reused later as and when required.
How safe are Tooth whitening methods?
A vast body of research has been done on the efficacy and safety aspects of the teeth whitening methods that are in use today, and they have been reported to be quite safe. Modern techniques rarely give rise to sensitive gums or other side effects, and qualified dentists are quite emphatic that tooth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available. The effects of tooth whitening typically last for one to two years and sometimes longer depending on your dental hygiene and dietary habits
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The costs can vary depending on location and the type of whitening treatment selected. They contain a protein pellicle to which plaque, stains, and bacteria adhere and get eliminated while rinsing. Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures cost around about £250 on average.
When having the whitening treatment performed by a cosmetic dentist, the cost depends upon the number of sittings required to get the teeth whitened to a significant degree. Most often, dental insurance will not cover the cost of a teeth whitening procedure.
Tooth Whitening is the process used to improve the brightness of the teeth, which is achieved by removing as much staining as possible. The techniques used range from natural home remedies to chemical and laser teeth whitening methods performed by cosmetic dentists.
Learn some very important facts about teeth whitening, a procedure that is not properly understood by people that actually need it. You can learn about how teeth whitening does not damage teeth, delivery devices, and so much more.