Teeth whitening is a form of cosmetic dentistry that includes bleaching your teeth to make them lighter without removing any of your teeth’ surfaces. It can’t change your tooth color completely, but it only gives the lighter shades.
Why should I consider teeth whitening?
The color of our teeth differs from one to another, the same as our hair and skin. However, some factors can affect your teeth stain, include:
1. Teeth can become more discolored by getting older.
2. Some foods and drinks can stain your teeth’ surface, such as tea, coffee, and blackcurrant.
3. Smoking can stain your teeth’ surface.
4. Calculus or tartar has a staining effect on your teeth.
5. If you are one of those people who have certain antibiotics which can stain under your teeth’ surface.
6. If there are tiny cracks in your teeth that can take up stains.
Dr. Ashraaf Adam will determine if you are a candidate for the treatment and will supervise it if you are.
He will first apply a rubber gel on your gums to protect them, then put the whitening product to your teeth with a well-fitted mouth guard.
The whitening product has an active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. After the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the tooth’s enamel and makes the tooth’s color lighter.
Teeth whitening procedure is a multi-phased procedure that will take three to four weeks.
At first, your dentist will need to make a mouthguard fitted for you and will take impressions for this at your first visit.
Once your dentist starts the treatment, he will inform you that you will continue the treatment at home. You will apply the whitening product for 30 minutes to one hour at a time and last from two to four weeks.
It is a new procedure for teeth whitening. Your dentist will apply a rubber dam over your teeth to protect your gums then paint a bleaching product onto your teeth. Afterward, a light or laser is radiated on your teeth to activate the chemical and speed up the reaction of the whitening product.
Laser whitening can change the color of your teeth more quickly and make the teeth up to five shades lighter.
As long as you keep away the factors that can stain your teeth as smoking and staining foods and drinks, your teeth will stay lighter longer. It may last up to three years.
You may have some temporary side effects which will disappear within a few days, including:
1. Your teeth may become sensitive to cold.
2. You may have discomfort in your gums.
3. A sore throat or white patches on your gum line.
