With Hollywood celebrities setting the bar higher every day with near-perfect sets of pearly whites, teeth whitening is becoming more and more common. However, people without clear information on teeth whitening may be victims of speculation on what teeth whitening is really about. At Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, we take you through the whole process of teeth whitening to help you separate myths from facts.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is simply described as any procedure that is done on the teeth to make them look whiter. Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure, and that is why it comes with a lot of misinformation.
Difference between teeth bleaching and teeth whitening
Oftentimes, teeth whitening is used interchangeably with bleaching, but they both mean different things. Teeth whitening is a general term for any process that makes the teeth whiter, while bleaching is a term used for a process that employs the use of a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide on the teeth to make them whiter.
Teeth whitening process
It is recommended to have your teeth whitening done professionally by a qualified dentist. During the teeth whitening process, the dentist will apply a special tooth whitening gel with 25%-40% hydrogen peroxide concentration on the surface of your teeth. Then a laser beam or a special heating lamp may be focused on the teeth to activate the whitening gel with 20-30 interval reapplication of the whitening gel. During this process, your tongue, gums, and lips are protected with a protective barrier so that the gel does not corrode your skin. The dentist may then give you custom-made-at-home whitening trays to further enhance the whitening process. You may need follow-up visits to see if you will need more whitening trays or not. Some dentists may also recommend scheduled whitening in phases to achieve the best results.
Who is ideal for teeth whitening?
The teeth whitening process that involves bleaching is not for everyone. Some people with certain medical conditions may not be the best candidates for teeth whitening. Also, people with dental fluorosis may not be the best candidates for teeth bleaching and are advised to opt for other teeth whitening options such as veneers or crowns.
With bleaching, yellow teeth respond better and achieve better results as opposed to brown teeth, which may not whiten as desired. However, your dentist will examine your teeth and determine which teeth whitening option is the most appropriate for you.
There are different ways to whiten teeth, and bleaching is not the only one. Other teeth whitening options include:
• Whitening toothpaste
• Whitening rinses
• Whitening strips
• Over-the-counter whitening kits
While these options are less abrasive and easier to apply, you may not achieve your desired results because most of them have much less hydrogen peroxide concentration. Besides, sometimes, all you may need is a tooth cleaning procedure to make your teeth whiter. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with your dentist first and have your teeth whitening done professionally at the dentist’s office. Additionally, other teeth whitening options such as composite masking, veneers, and crowns may help achieve better results.
Want to improve your smile by whitening your teeth? Visit the Carrum Downs Dental clinic to find out the best teeth whitening options suitable for you.
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