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.

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.