About Tooth Bleaching
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is teeth whitening?
Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to get rid of discoloration and stains. Whitening isn't a one-time process. It will have to be repeated frequently if you want to maintain the brighter shade.
Reasons for teeth whitening- Using tobacco
- Drinking dark-colored liquids like red wine, cola, coffee and tea
- Not taking good care of your teeth
- Tetracycline antibiotics - They can discolor a child's teeth if taken by a mother during the second half of pregnancy or even by a child who is eight years old or younger
- Exposure to an excessive amount of fluoride as a child while teeth are developing
- Trauma might also darken a tooth.
- Aging makes teeth less bright
Preparation Other dental issues may affect the success of tooth whitening. For instance, cavities should be treated before teeth are whitened. That is because the whitening solution might penetrate decayed parts and get to the inner areas of the tooth. If your gums have receded, the exposed roots of your teeth might appear discolored or yellow. Whitening products won't make them whiter.
If you have receding gums or tooth decay, whitening might make your teeth sensitive. Whitening as well doesn't work on ceramic or porcelain veneers or crowns.
Whitening can be performed at home or in the dental office: - For in-office whitening, your dentist would most likely photograph your teeth first. This step will assist him or her to check the progress of the treatment.
For whitening at home: - your dentist can create trays to hold the whitening gel, which fit your teeth accurately. Home whitening gel often has to be applied everyday for 2 to 3 weeks. Over-the-counter kits also are accessible for home use. Consult your dentist if you would like to use these home products.
How it’s done - There are two main kinds of whitening procedures.
- Vital whitening is done on teeth, which have live nerves.
- Non-vital whitening is performed on a tooth, which has had root-canal treatment and no longer has a live nerve.
Vital whitening The best-known kind of vital tooth whitening uses a gel, which is applied directly to the tooth surface. This product has some kind of hydrogen peroxide.
Tooth whitening may be done at home or in the dentist's office. In-office whitening lets your dentist use a more effective whitening gel.
In-office whitening often takes 30 to 90 minutes. You will need one to three appointments. The number is based on the procedure used, how serious your stains are and how white you wish your teeth to be.
Non-vital whitening Vital whitening might not improve the look of a tooth, which has had root-canal treatment since the stain is originating from the inside of the tooth. Should this be the case, your dentist will use an alternative procedure, which whitens the tooth from the inside. The specialist will place a whitening agent inside the tooth and place a temporary filling over it. The tooth is going to be left this way for a number of days. You might need this performed only once, or it may be repeated until the tooth gets to the preferred color.
When to Contact an expert If you feel your teeth will benefit from whitening, call your dentist to discuss the procedure.
Risks : Whitening is not likely to result in severe side effects, though some people's teeth might become more sensitive for a moment. You might get mild gum irritation also. Women must not have their teeth whitened while pregnant. The effect of the whitening materials on the growth of the fetus isn't known. Given that the procedure is cosmetic, it must be put off until after delivery.
After care : If you consume lots of staining drinks or foods or smoke, you might see the whiteness begin to fade within a month. If you stay away from these sources of staining, you might not require another whitening treatment for six to twelve months. Re-whitening may be done at home or in the dentist's office.
Learn more about Tooth Bleaching