Before Bleach		Teeth Whitening One of the biggest dental concerns that people face relates to the color of their teeth. Ideally, teeth should be a bright white but unfortunately this is often not the case. Stained teeth occur over time and although this condition does not have any adverse health effects, it creates an unpleasant effect on a person’s smile. A great smile is an asset that everybody wants to have and the presence of yellow or brown teeth can cause people to become insecure about their smile. By obtaining teeth whiteners, a person becomes much more confident in their smile, which will only have positive benefits socially.
After Bleach
Coffee. Tea. Tobacco. Antibiotic Use. Age. All of these things can change the colour of our teeth over time. Fortunately, there are several ways to change them back to white. Choose from: · in-office bleaching · at-home bleaching kits · whitening toothpastes · peroxide strips · porcelain veneers In-office bleaching refers to all teeth whitening procedures that are performed in a dentist’s office. Otherwise known as chairside teeth whitening or one-hour bleaching, in-office bleaching involves the application of a bleaching agent on a patient’s teeth. This bleaching agent contains hydrogen peroxide, which is the key ingredient in this teeth whitener. Under the in-office bleaching procedure, the dentist activates the hydrogen peroxide contained within the bleaching agent with either a light or laser source, depending on the specific teeth whitener technique that the dentist is using. How this works is that once the hydrogen peroxide has been activated, it breaks down into water and a radical (compound constituent). In this state, the radical attaches itself to stain molecules. The stain molecules become weak, which allows oxygen to reach and whiten the tooth enamel. At-home bleaching is another teeth whitening option that follows similar principles as in-home bleaching. Under this procedure, the patient obtains a peroxide-based bleaching solution from their dentist or pharmacist. Contained in this bleaching kit are carbamide peroxide gel and a mouthguard. Under this treatment, the patient places the peroxide gel into the mouthguard. Considering the numerous at-home bleaching teeth whitener products that are available, the duration and frequency of the treatment will depend on the product. However, much like in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching products work under the principal of oxidation. In at-home teeth whiteners, the caramide hydrogen breaks down into water and a radical (compound consituent). Once it is in this state, stain molecules are weakened and oxygen is able to reach and whiten the user’s tooth enamel. The final teeth whitening option that is available is whitening toothpastes. Unlike other teeth whitening systems, whitening toothpastes do not contain peroxides. Rather, they contain polishing agents that are more capable of removing deeper teeth stains than regular toothpastes. Although everybody wants white teeth and teeth whitening are generally a safe and effective procedure, it should be noted that some individuals are not the best candidates for teeth whitening. For individuals that have tooth-colored fillings, bleaching may have a negative impact on your teeth’s aesthetic appearance. If you are considering teeth whitening, consult a dentist for their assessment. Whitening toothpastes do not oxidize your teeth (except for Rembrandt toothpastes, which contain peroxide). Rather, they contain polishing agents that remove deep stains and return the teeth to their original shade of white. These toothpastes brighten your teeth without actually changing the colour of the enamel. Porcelain veneers offer the longest-lasting whitening option. Veneers are thin ceramic shells fitted onto the front of the teeth. The dentist shaves away part of your natural teeth to make room for the veneer, then creates a set of porcelain shells based on a mold of your teeth. Once your veneers are cemented in place, your teeth will look not only whiter but likely straighter, too. Advantages of tooth whitening: (As compared with porcelain veneers or bonding—as techniques for making your smile brighter.) Bleaching or teeth whitening is much more comfortable and easier than getting porcelain veneers or bonding. Teeth whitening is less expensive than these other treatments. Nothing artificial has to be bonded or attached to your teeth. Your smile becomes permanently whiter. Maintaining maximum whiteness requires only minor touch-up treatments every year or two. Teeth whitening usually whitens quite noticeably, and you can control the results by how diligent you are with the treatments. You can continue to whiten as much as you like by purchasing refill kits of the gel.