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.

At Home Teeth Whitening

The popularity of teeth whitening has become something that many people are enjoying these days. After years of watching your teeth slowing stain and the color fade away, there are plenty of great options out there for you to renew the color and bring back the whiteness.

Many people like to go and get it done professionally. This may be the quickest option but at the same time, it may not be the most cost effective either. Depending on where you get it done, it can be a bit pricy at times. One excellent alternative to get your teeth whitened would be to do it at home.

Over the last few years, there have been a lot of new and great products that have been created for people like you who are in need of products that can be used at home. The great benefit is that these teeth whitening products are not only cost effective, but they work just as well as going to visit your dentist.

Generally these products come in the form of a gel that you will need to put on your teeth. Depending on the brand, these may need to be done twice a day or even just once a day for anywhere between one week to two or three weeks. They don´t take up too much time and they are products that you can apply simply and easily. Because they are so easy to use and give you great results,  you can use them whenever you want.

If you do decide to use at home teeth whitening products, you really need to consult your dentist beforehand. He may have the best advice for you on brands or what types you really should or should not use.

Get Laser Teeth Whitening

There are many teeth whitening technologies that are available today but the laser teeth whitening treatment appears to be the most popular choice of all. It could be because it is the one that produces the quickest and most assured results. The way laser teeth whitening works is it allows the get to penetrate into the enamel of the teeth in order to brighten them.

Laser treatments have become an important development in the latest medical technology. In the laser tooth whitening system, the laser light activates the crystals within the whitening gel producing awesome results. These crystals then soak up the energy that originates from the laser light, and then enters into the patient’s tooth enamel and enhances the lightening effect on the teeth.

There is no question that laser teeth whitening is undoubtedly the latest in dental technology that can provide instant results for patients. The very first step before the whitening process can take place is cleaning each tooth to remove plaque. After the plaque is removed, a tooth whitening gel is applied, followed by a special laser light application. This is t activate the get and initiate the whitening process. Depending on how stained your teeth are will determine the number of repetitions of this procedure.

Laser teeth whitening is the best option for those who would rather not wait a long time to see results from there teeth whitening treatment. It is also a good option for people who are scared of drills. Laser teeth whitening is considered a method of cosmetic dentistry that is intended to remove stains and discoloration, as well as lightening the pigmentation within the teeth. The lasers are used with the whitening agents and react to the light from the lasers to produce the desired results.

The only side effects of laser teeth whitening can be a bit of sensitivity, but not everyone experiences this. The good news is your teeth will remain white for up to two to three years. The lasers are soundless and make no physical contact with the teeth. The cost of the whitening procedure depends on the number of sessions required to achieve the desired level of whiteness and the duration of a laser treatment can vary, depending on the usage. Overall laser teeth whitening is a wonderful option for getting that smile that you’ve always wanted.

Tooth Whitening Is Not a Subsitute for Good Dental Care

Many consumers are choosing to have their teeth whitened to improve their smile and help their teeth regain their pearly white stage. Many people don’t understand that bleaching your teeth is simply cosmetic. The results do not improve the health of your teeth at all, they simply remove stains on the outside of your teeth to allow the light in.

Although teeth whitening might improve both your smile and your self esteem, there are many other things you should do to keep your smile good looking and healthy. Let’s talk about some things we can do to keep out teeth from major dental repair.

It is important to understand how food, drinks, and tobacco affect your teeth. Here’s a rule of thumb to keep in mind- if its not good for the rest of your body, its probably not good for your teeth either.

Sugary drinks are one example that fit right into that category. The sugar from a soda or bottle of juice will stick to your teeth and can cause cavities. A better option is to drink water.

It’s natural and won’t damage your teeth at all. It can even act as floss when eating or drinking those things with lots of sugar. After a bite of a Twinkie, take a swig of water to immediately wipe that sugar off your teeth. Many cities even add fluoride to their water so drinking tap water can be especially beneficial to your mouth.

Using a straw to drink these types of sugary sodas and juices will also help the sugar avoid your teeth and go straight to your stomach. Consider avoiding those beverages with sugar in them completely. Remember that most red wines will also stain your teeth as well.

You can also use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to keep your teeth healthy and clean. Fluoride is a major key to avoiding cavities altogether and just a small amount each day will help ward them off.

Another tip, although it may be obvious, is to brush and floss. Dentists encourage brushing for one minute twice a day with a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. When it comes to flossing, most people forget the teeth in the back of the mouth, which can be the most important to floss.

Many people don’t know and understand the basics of brushing and flossing. When you visit your dentist every six months, ask for a short lesson on brushing and flossing. Their simple advice can help a lot in the long run.

As mentioned above, you should be seeing your professional dentist every six months, for a check up and cleaning. Having the plaque removed every six months will keep your teeth shiny and more importantly healthy. Keeping up on your dental work will help you avoid tooth aches and other disasters that happen when you avoid the dentist.

Although most people don’t realize it, your toothbrush can play a major role in the overall health of your teeth. Replace your brush every three months for the best results.