You can maintain healthy, white, and brilliant teeth every day by brushing and flossing. However, you are not alone if you feel that your grin is more yellow than it used to be or lacks some sparkle. Whiter teeth were the most often mentioned improvement people would want to see in their smiles, according to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Nearly 90% of patients asked for teeth whitening, according to data from the American Association of Orthodontists.
Are you considering teeth whitening? First, learn the facts. These are the top five questions people ask regarding the procedure.
What Caused the Color Change in My Teeth?
Your teeth may become less white over time for a number of reasons:
Food and Drink:
Red wine, tea, and coffee are some of the main substances that cause stains. What is the connection between them? Chromogens are intensely colored pigments that adhere to the enamel, the white outer layer of your teeth.
Use of Tobacco:
Tar and nicotine, two substances included in tobacco, produce stains that are difficult to remove. Tar is dark by nature. Until it is combined with oxygen, nicotine is colorless. After that, it changes into a yellowish material that stains surfaces.
Age:
The dentin is a softer substance that lies underneath the enamel, the hard, white exterior layer of your teeth. Brushing causes the outer layer of enamel to gradually weaken, allowing more of the yellowish dentin to show through.
Trauma:
Your teeth may change color after being struck in the mouth because the body responds to damage by producing more dentin, a darker layer underneath the enamel.
Drugs:
Some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure drugs might cause tooth darkening as a side effect. Adult teeth may become discolored later in life if young children are exposed to medicines such as tetracycline and doxycycline while their teeth are developing (either in the womb or as a newborn). Teeth can also get darker as a result of radiation and chemotherapy for the head and neck.
What Is the Process of Whitening Teeth?
Whitening teeth is an easy procedure. One of two bleaches—hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—is present in whitening products. Your teeth will be brighter and the color less intense after using these bleaches since they split stains into tiny pieces.
Can All Teeth Get Whitened?
No, which is why it’s crucial to see your dentist before choosing to whiten your teeth because not all discolorations can be fixed by whiteners. Gray teeth might not bleach at all, brown teeth might not bleach as well, and yellow teeth would most likely bleach nicely. Crowns, veneers, fillings, and caps cannot be whitened. Additionally, it won’t work if your tooth discolouration results from a dental accident or medicine.
What Options Do I Have for Whitening?
Before you begin, consult your dentist. There are four methods to restore the luster to your smile if you are a candidate:
Toothpastes for Removing Stains:
Many toothpastes use gentle abrasives to scrape the teeth, which helps get rid of surface stains. For stain removal, look for whitening toothpaste that has received the ADA Seal of Acceptance; the product’s packaging will indicate this. These toothpastes have extra polishing ingredients that are safe for your teeth and effectively remove stains. These ADA-approved treatments can only remove surface stains, so unlike bleaches, they don’t alter the color of teeth.
Bleaching in the workplace:
Chairside bleaching is a process that often only takes one appointment visit. To protect your gums, the dentist will either apply a rubber barrier or a protective gel. The teeth are subsequently treated with bleach.
Bleaching at Home with Your Dentist:
You can get a specially designed tray for at-home teeth whitening from your dentist. The dentist in this situation will teach you on how to use the bleaching solution in the tray and how long to leave it there. If you feel more at ease doing teeth whitening at home at a slower speed while still receiving dental advice, this could be your best choice. Bleaching outside of the workplace may take a few days to a few weeks.
Products for Bleaching Over-the-Counter:
You could notice many solutions, including a paste or strips that whiten your teeth by bleaching them, online or at your neighborhood grocery shop. These products have a lesser bleaching agent concentration than what your dentist would use in the office. Consult your dentist about your choices if you’re considering using an over-the-counter bleaching kit, and search for one that has earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This indicates that it has undergone testing to be both safe and effective in whitening teeth. Obtain a list of every bleaching product that is ADA-approved for use at home.
Does Whitening Your Teeth Cause Any Side Effects?
Tooth sensitivity may be experienced by certain users of teeth-whitening products. This occurs when the whitener’s peroxide irritates your tooth’s nerve by penetrating the enamel to the delicate layer of dentin. The sensitivity is usually transient. Treatment might be postponed and then resumed.
Make careful to read instructions and consult your dentist before using whitening products excessively as this might harm gums or tooth enamel.