Everything you need to know about teeth whitening

As teeth whitening becomes cheaper and more accessible, the treatment becomes more popular. The majority of us lust after that Hollywood smile, however, no mater how many of celebrities dazzle us with their pearly whites, professional teeth whitening should be the only route to go down as many harmful whitening methods are seeping into the mainstream cosmetic industry. 

Teeth can turn yellow for a number of reasons, not least because it’s an unavoidable part of ageing. An inner part of the tooth known as “dentin” is responsible for the discolouration and as our teeth repair themselves, the new dentin is dark and whilst enamel simultaneously gets thinner due to wear, that yellow colouring becomes more visible. Discolouration can also be caused by certain foods but professional teeth whitening can help solve this problem.

One thing you should know is that to be eligible for professional teeth whitening and for the process to work, you must have healthy teeth. If you have exposed roots, crooked teeth, gum recession, gum diseases, cavities or any similar dental issue, teeth whitening is not for you until you have sorted those problems.

If you are going to have your teeth professionally whitened, you also must brace yourself for the resulting tooth sensitivity. This usually occurs 24 hours after your teeth have been exposed to the whitening gel. To help ease this, you’re able to take drugstore pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

Types of Teeth Whitening

There are two different types of teeth whitening in a professional manner. Intrinsic refers to whitening the inner part of the tooth, this soaks up hydrogen peroxide gel and causes the tooth to become lighter. When that inner part of the tooth is whitened, the colour that is reflected through the outer enamel of your teeth is lighter which gives the impression that the teeth are whiter and brighter.

On the other hand, there is also the option of extrinsic whitening. This involves removing the staining of the enamel. Such staining may be left behind by wine, tea, coffee, alcohol or smoking and is easy to remove with a polish from your hygienist.

It all depends on whether your teeth are intrinsically yellow, or just stained for which whitening option you need to go for. If it is intrinsic yellowing that you have, extrinsic whitening solutions are not for you and a professional whitening treatment at a respected practitioner is the solution you should seek.

You should also be reminded that the process of teeth whitening isn’t permanent. Teeth will always continue to yellow as part of the aging process as well as continuing to be stained by numerous foods and drinks. Results from teeth whitening last between six months and two years but this will all depend on the foods and drinks included in your diet.

One size does also not fit all. When it comes to professional teeth whitening, a custom-made retainer will help to ensure that the bleach stays where it is intended (on your teeth) and not on your gums. Everyone’s mouth and smile are different so each tray is unique to the individual.

Related:
4 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth And Have a Beautiful Smile
Regular Dental Check-ups Are Important To Your Health