Everyone enjoys a white and bright smile but with time teeth become yellow and discolored.
You may experience teeth-yellowing due to any of the following reasons:
- Advancing age.
- Consumption of stain-causing foods and beverages like coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, apples, tomatoes, and red wine.
- Consumption or use of tobacco-based products.
- Poor maintenance of oral health and hygiene.
- Diseases that erode the tooth enamel.
- Medical procedures like chemotherapy and radiation.
- Regular use of medicines like antibiotics.
- Environmental factors like the presence of excessive amounts of fluoride in water.
- Dental trauma that disturbs enamel formation.
Teeth whitening helps in removing stains and discoloration from teeth and restores the beauty of your pearly whites. It is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the application of a whitening agent on the surface of teeth to break down stains. Teeth whitening is non-invasive and can be completed in 60-90 minutes.
How is teeth whitening performed?
Teeth whitening is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that can be performed in six simple steps.
Step 1: Professional dental cleaning.
Like any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, teeth whitening also begins with a professional dental cleaning. Clean teeth and gums respond better to the treatment. Hence, plaque and tartar deposits are removed from above and below the gum line using special dental tools.
Step 2: Determining your dental shade.
During this phase, you should communicate with your dentist about your needs and the desired dental shade. Your dentist will use a shade guide to determine your current dental shade and the desired dental shade. The concentration of the whitening agent depends on the desired shade.
Step 3: Isolation of teeth with a gingival dam.
Whitening agents are rich in peroxides which irritate the gums and the soft tissues in the mouth. To avoid such discomfort, a gingival dam or lip and cheek retractor is used to isolate the teeth from the rest of the mouth.
Step 4: Application of the whitening agent
A whitening agent rich in peroxides is used to paint the topical surfaces of teeth and is allowed to dry for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Activation of the oxidizing agents.
A special blue light is used to activate the oxidizing agents present in the whitening gel. The oxidizing agents break down the stains and remove discoloration.
Step 6: Reapplication of the whitening agent.
The process of applying the whitening agent and using a bright light to release the oxidizing agents is repeated 3-5 times to achieve the desired dental shade. The whole procedure takes 60-90 minutes depending on the severity of your case.
Step 7: Ending the whitening session
To wrap up the session, the teeth are wiped to remove any trace of the whitening agent.
Step 8: Whitening trays for maintenance.
Your dentist will provide you custom-made whitening trays to use at home. Whitening trays are worn over the teeth, like mouthguards, and are used for touch-ups. They help you maintain white teeth for a long period.
What are the advantages of professional teeth whitening over over-the- counter tooth whitening products?
Today, cosmetic dentistry provides numerous options to enhance the beauty of one’s smile. Teeth whitening remains the most sought after cosmetic enhancement procedure. Professional teeth whitening provides the best results when it comes to stain-removal and treating discoloration. However, some people still resort to using over-the-counter products without understanding the benefits of professional teeth whitening. Professional tooth whitening has various advantages over over-the-counter whitening products and they have been highlighted in the table given below.
| S.No | Parameter | Professional Teeth Whitening | Over-the-counter whitening product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uses a highly concentrated gel which helps in the easy removal of stains and discoloration. | √ | |
| 2 | Employs a special blue light to enhance stain-removal and discoloration. | √ | |
| 3 | Involves a professional dental cleaning, which provides numerous oral health benefits. | √ | |
| 4 | Whitens all the teeth equally well. | √ | |
| 5 | Provides better and long-lasting results. | √ | |
| 6 | Safe and FDA approved. | √ | |
| 7 | Quick results. | √ | |
| 8 | Include whitening at home with custom-fit whitening trays that help in regular touch-ups. | √ | |
| 9 | Boosts your self-esteem and confidence. | √ | √ |
| 10 | More comfortable. | √ | |
| 11 | Removes intrinsic stains. | √ | √ |
| 12 | Removes extrinsic stains. | √ |
We at Inspire Smiles Dental employ the most advanced technology to treat dental ailments with great care and precision. Our entire team is immensely dedicated to looking after our patients’ needs with exceptional compassion and caution. Whether you are looking for dental restorations or cosmetic enhancements, Inspire Smiles Dental is a one-stop for all your dental issues and ailments. Book an appointment with us at 925.833.9500 or visit our office in 7739 Amador Valley Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568.