All You Ever Wanted To Know About Tooth Whitening But Were Too Afraid To Ask
There are various reasons for discoloured teeth, e.g staining from foods, smoking red wine. Throughout a persons lifetime their teeth will pick up stains. Certain antibiotics are known to stain teeth especially tetracyclines which can cause a banded appearance to teeth.
Tooth whitening may be carried out in a dental surgery or alternatively using home kits. It is strongly advised that the treatment is carried out by a dental professional and NOT by a beautician as this is a medical procedure.
Remember your dentist is qualified and insured to carry out these procedures. A beautician is neither qualified or legally permitted to carry out this procedure. There have been instances where harm has resulted to patients due to unqualified persons carrying out the procedure.
ALWAYS ensure a dentist carries out this procedure for your own safety.
In surgery bleaching
Following an examination by a dentist most in-surgery whitening procedures use a protective layer to protect the gums. This is to reduce the risk damage to the gums.
The bleaching agent is either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching gel typically contains carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide by concentration.
The bleaching agent is applied to the teeth and gently agitated by the dentist and reapplied usually 2 to 3 times. A light cure machine or laser may be used to activate the gel. It is debatable whether this improves the speed or efficacy of the procedure.
The benefits of this procedure include that the patient can have the treatment completed usually within an hour at their convenience.
Home whitening kits
Following an examination by a dentist customized close fitting trays are constructed to fit to a patients teeth. These are to be worn by the patient on a night time loaded with the bleaching agent. Carbamide peroxide usually sixteen percent is commonly used. The teeth are usually bleached for 7 to 10 days.
Benefits of this procedure include that the patient can re-use the trays if they wish to top-up their bleaching in few years time.
A simple course of tooth whitening can produce huge improvements in the cosmetic appearance of most stained teeth.
Tooth whitening should be avoided if teeth have decay. It should also be noted that tooth whitening will not whiten existing fillings, crowns, veneers or bridges.
Generally the tooth whitening is carried out first prior to replacement of crowns or veneers and then the restorations are done to match the new whitened color of the teeth.
Although there are a wide range of over the counter whitening products available and countless unauthorized products promising brilliant white teeth advertised on the net. The results are often less than desirable and do not live up to the results that can be achieved by a dentist.
Risks
Provided the bleaching is carried out carefully and under the supervision of a dentist the side effects are minimal. Short term sensitivity may occur which usually resolves in a couple of days.
Adverse effects to the teeth has rarely been noted provided the bleach has been administered and used correctly.
How long does it last?
This varies from person to person. However, if you avoid foods that stain and tobacco, red wine, coffee, tea the results may last for a number of years.
Reputable dental surgeons will give a free consultation whereby the patient may ask questions and voice any concerns.
The leading cosmetic dentists will have a range of distractions to make the patient feel at ease such as 3D TV and iPod players with headphones.
Treatments such as laser injections to numb the area can be given which are painfree. There is no need to worry about pain or risk if you choose a good dentist.
Ben Whitlow writes for Aesthetique Dentists Leeds who specialise in cosmetic dental treatments and in particular Tooth Whitening
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