With the constant pressure to look your best, and a main part of our confidence comes through in how we feel we look, Teeth Whitening can help. One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. The trend is to have a nice, bright, white smile. As we age, the color of your teeth changes. The foods we eat, what we drink and smoking can all stain your teeth, making them look dull and yellow. You can opt to buy the whitening toothpaste, or the whitening strips, which will lighten your teeth only a couple shades; or you can opt to have professional whitening, which will lighten and brighten your smile drastically. Finding a qualified dentist is important to whiten your teeth with the safest procedure and to produce wonderful results, and to minimize the side effects of whitening like over bleaching.

Procedure Details

Professional teeth whitening brightens teeth up to nine shades whiter in a single treatment. The procedure is performed in-office by a dentist using a bleaching agent that contains hydrogen peroxide.

A minor dental cleaning may be required prior to laser teeth whitening. In the professional teeth whitening procedure, the dentist will apply a peroxide bleaching gel to the teeth. A laser will activate the bleaching agent, and hydrogen peroxide will bond to and break down stained molecules. The process will take less than an hour, and the laser will be used in short sessions totaling about 4 minutes. This will not be enough time for the laser to heat, so discomfort due to increased temperature will not be an issue. The entire procedure will be quick and painless.

Risks and Side Effects

The immediate change in tooth color may be drastic; the change is not gradual. Some patients with tooth-colored fillings or badly stained teeth may not benefit from laser teeth whitening. Yellow teeth seem to have the best response. For patients whose teeth do not respond well to laser teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, or bonding can achieve the white, bright smile they desire. Children under 16 and pregnant or breastfeeding women should not undergo laser teeth whitening. Also, patients with an allergy to peroxide, severe tooth sensitivity, gum disease, or tooth decay are not good candidates for the procedure.

Post Operative Care

Regular brushing and flossing, and 6-month dental check ups are the backbone of good oral hygiene and will help prolong the effect of laser teeth whitening. Patients should also refrain from smoking tobacco and eating or drinking foods that stain teeth. The procedure can be repeated as needed.

FAQ

Q: What is whitening?
A: Dental whitening is a popular procedure used to whiten teeth and make stains disappear.

Q: Are there different ways to whiten teeth?A: Yes, there are at home whitening kits used with a peroxide gel, in-office light activated technique (know as Zoom whitening) with peroxide gel which gives a noticeable whitening. Also porcelain veneers can have an effect of whitening teeth.

Q: Is it safe to whiten?
A: Yes, different studies have been performed showing that whitening is safe and effective. Some patients may experience slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity, this usually resolves itself in a short period of time.

Q: Why is whitening at the dentist better than home whitening?
A: Typically, whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one hour and ½ visit to the dental office.

Q: How long does whitening last?
A: It depends on how many cups of coffee, glasses of cola, red wine and other staining drinks and food have crossed your teeth. Many people can go from one to three years without significant need for touch-ups in whitening. The more permanent and ultimate whitening is through porcelain veneers, which can last much longer.