A sparkling, white smile is often seen as a mark of beauty, health and even just general personal hygiene! Years of drinking coffee, tea or wine often give adults mild staining on their teeth. If they have been smoking for many years or avoiding dental care, the yellowing or darkening of teeth can be more severe. Even without major staining, many people just want to achieve that dazzling bright smile, and turn to various whitening methods to get their teeth to be whiter than their natural color.
The tooth whitening industry
The tooth whitening industry is huge. There are a ton of products on the market, advertising with beautiful pearly whites and promising consumers that they can have the same. There are so many different tooth whitening options, it can be hard to know what is worth the price and what is safe for your teeth!
Consumers can whiten their teeth at home or have their teeth whitened professionally in a commercial teeth whitening center or their dentist’s office.
Home whitening kits include products like whitening pens, trays, strips, gels and toothpastes. These whitening products are generally pretty gentle and gradually whiten your teeth over time using mild to strong bleaching agents. A typical ingredient in these kinds of products is peroxide. However, ingredients and their concentrations can vary, so be sure to do a bit of research on the product before purchasing it. Home whitening kits with stronger bleaching agents will have faster, more dramatic effects.
Professional whitening
Professional whitening services tend to offer more dramatic results than at-home products. Professional treatments include peroxide-based bleaching agents, LED or UV lights and lasers.
The peroxide-based treatments used in a dentist’s office are a much higher concentration than the products you can buy over the counter. Dentists oversee the procedure to make sure it is done safely. Because the solution is so much stronger, teeth are whitened rapidly and more drastically. In fact, most professional whitening treatments take less than an hour to complete!
Some professional teeth whitening treatments also incorporate the use of lasers or LED/UV lights. The lights add some heat to the solution on your teeth, and while many service providers claim that using a heating source may speed up the whitening process, some researchers refute these claims.
So, is professional teeth whitening harmful?
As long as you are starting with healthy teeth and healthy gums, professional teeth whitening will not be dangerous. Teeth cleaning and a check of overall oral health should be done before any professional-strength treatments. If you do have gum disease, your dentist may be able to carefully paint a professional strength solution on your teeth to give you the results you are looking for, without affecting your gums.
Be prepared for some sensitivity
Although having your teeth whitened is not dangerous, rapid teeth whitening can cause tooth sensitivity, which can be uncomfortablefor some people. The sensitivity usually goes away in less than 24 hours, so for many people, dealing with the discomfort is worth the quick results they get from getting their teeth whitened professionally. For others, the sensitivity is too much, and they prefer to gradually whiten their teeth at home.
Be sure to speak with a dentist before having any professional treatment done.
Are you considering professional teeth whitening or want to know is professional teeth whitening harmful? Get more professional teeth whitening information by contacting our Impressions Dental office in Chandler, AZ.
In-office whitening is highly effective, safe, and long-lasting. But it's more expensive than over-the-counter options, and often isn't covered by dental insurance.
Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums.
Some dental patients typically don't feel hurt while they're having the procedure done since all they need to do is sit back and relax while the bleaching agent does its work. Although most patients report minimal to no pain when it comes to teeth whitening, everyone experiences it differently.
Any dentist can whiten teeth as long as they're registered with the General Dental Council. Registered dental therapists and dental hygienists can also carry out teeth whitening on the prescription of a dentist.
Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.
Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process
This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.
Whitening your teeth too often increases the risk of negative side effects, such as tooth sensitivity and damage to tooth enamel and gums. But there's no official guideline for how often whitening can be done safely. That's why it's important to get your dentist's recommendation and always follow product instructions.
Cavities, gum disease, fillings, crowns, and bridges may disqualify you from treatment. Other conditions and circ*mstances that may bar a patient from teeth whitening treatment include: Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Being under the age of 16.
The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.
As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.
If you are pregnant or lactating, teeth whitening is not recommended. If you have sensitive teeth, you should let your dentist know. You may not be a candidate for teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening – What to expect when it's done legally
A dental examination that ensures you're a suitable candidate for treatment. Whitening is not suitable if you're pregnant or don't have healthy teeth and gums.
Key Points. Whitening treatments can be effective on both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Only natural teeth can be whitened, not tooth-colored restorations. Whitening treatments include in-office bleaching procedures, dentist-supplied products for use at home, and over-the-counter (OTC) whiteners.
We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel.
In-office teeth whitening treatment offers a way for you to brighten your smile safely. Dentists recommend getting whitening treatment once a year or so for most patients to keep their smiles looking aesthetically pleasing. Whitening teeth too often could cause certain oral health concerns, such as worn-down enamel.
Pros: Strips are inexpensive compared to most other methods. Cons: The strips only reach the front six teeth; they can irritate the gums; some users complain of sensitivity.
Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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