How Exactly Does Teeth Whitening Work?

How Exactly Does Teeth Whitening Work?

You have probably heard about teeth whitening or teeth bleaching and you may be wondering how this process comes about and what the results are. A person’s smile is often what catches another person’s eye first. Like it or not, people judge each other by their grin.

Let’s begin by talking about how your teeth accumulate stains or discoloration. Stains come from many different sources, including food, beverages, and especially smoking. These stains are in your enamel or dentin, and block light from your teeth. When your teeth are bleached or whitened, the dentin is cleansed from stains built up over time.

This allows the light to pass through to your teeth. The light is what keeps your teeth white and clean-looking. In order to bleach or whiten your teeth, a bleaching gel must be applied to the outer part of your teeth.

This gel is generally hydrogen peroxide that will break down into oxygen molecules, which will clean the stains from the enamel and dentin. As more light passes through the tooth, it will appear lighter colored.

Some teeth stains are easier to remove than others. Stains can become embedded in the tooth, and therefore they are harder to remove by simply bleaching or whitening.

Depending on the length and intensity of your teeth whitening treatment, you could begin seeing results in as little as one hour. There are different types of treatments and they all take different amounts of time and have individual results.

Your dentist can perform two procedures in the office and there are other take home procedures that work well too. Consult with your dentist before beginning any bleaching procedure.

Many patients choose to have laser bleaching performed. This is where your gums and lips are protected from the bleaching agent, and after being applied to your teeth, a bright light is placed in front of your mouth.

This light activates the ingredients in the bleaching gel and gets the whitening process started. This type of treatment will last about an hour or so, and may need to be repeated over time. The results will last up to three years.

If you choose to whiten your own teeth at home, you dentist will have you come in and will get a mold of your teeth. Once the mouthpiece is ready, you can take it home for you.

By inserting the bleaching solution in the mouthpiece and then placing it in your mouth, the gel is applied to your teeth, similar to an in office treatment. This treatment is not as strong as those performed in the office and will take multiple applications for the process to show noticeable results.

Most patients are pleased with their teeth bleaching results. It is advised to avoid red wine, tobacco, and other staining foods after having the procedure performed. The results will last anywhere from one to three years, depending on the number of teeth staining foods that are consumed.

Other habits, such as brushing and flossing, can also help teeth keep their white shine. Consider the cost, results, and educate yourself about teeth whitening before starting the procedure.

Professional Teeth Whitening

You may have asked yourself in the past what your teeth would look like if they were as white as when they first grew in. With technology the way it is these days, there are actually plenty of new and safe ways for you get your teeth whitened without doing damage to your teeth. One of the best and safest options out there for you is to get professional teeth whitening.

Over time, our teeth get stained from the foods we eat and the things we drink. This is a natural process but there is a way to turn that color around and have teeth just as white as you would like. Because your dentist will always know best, it is better for you to talk to them before you make a final decision of how you want to whiten  your teeth.

The benefit of going to the dentist to get your teetch whitened professionally is that they know what they are doing because they have done it some many times. They are practiced and ready to help you get your maximum results. Another great benefit is that it can take as little as two times for you to go and get it done. After just a few short trips to the dentist, your teeth can be as white as you would like them to be.

Because many people have a fear of going to the dentist, you have to realize that this can be a great alternative to having to whiten your teeth yourself which sometimes just doesn´t work out the way you would like it to either. And a lot of times  you waste time and money trying to do it yourself when a great option is to just get it done professionally.