Teeth Whitening Procedures – Factors That Can Help You Make A Choice
Discolored and yellow teeth may restrict people from flashing their smiles. For people facing such issues, teeth whitening treatments may be an effective solution.
Types of Teeth Stains
Tooth stains may be of the following two types:
- Extrinsic stains
These stains are surface stains caused by the consumption of tobacco, dark colored beverages and foods.
- Intrinsic stains
These stains are caused from the interior of the teeth and are caused by factors like ageing, trauma and excessive fluoride ingestion.
Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Teeth may become discolored due to the following reasons:
- Teeth may get discolored as they become more translucent with age.
- Consumption of dark colored beverages like tea, coffee, cola and red wine may cause teeth discoloration.
- Smoking may cause teeth discoloration.
- Certain drugs and chemicals can cause teeth to become discolored.
- Falls and injuries may crack the teeth leading to accumulation of debris and stains, which causes discoloration.
Teeth Whitening Options
There are a number of teeth whitening and bleaching options available. People may choose the one best suited for their needs.
- Laser bleaching by dentist
The process involves applying strong bleach on the affected teeth after putting a barrier around the tissues of the gums. This protects the gums from the strong bleach. The treatment is quick and can be completed in a single sitting. A lot of people in Texas opt for this option of teeth whitening. There are a number of dentists who perform the procedure and more information about them is available on dentist listings’ websites.
- Professional bleaching trays
Dentists may also offer bleaching trays for teeth whitening procedures. The bleaching trays are customized ones. Dentists may take teeth impressions of their patients and design bleaching trays according to that recorded size. Patients may use these trays along with a bleaching solution at home to whiten their teeth.
- Teeth whitening kits
Teeth whitening products like trays, paints, strips, swabs and gels are freely available over the counter. Patients may use them to carry out teeth whitening procedures at home.
People opting for teeth whitening may select from the mentioned options after considering factors like cost and desired results.
Difference between Whitening and Bleaching
Bleaching, as the name says, is completed with products like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The procedure is used to whiten teeth beyond the natural color.
Whitening refers to the process of removing dirt particles and debris from the tooth surface. It does not whiten teeth beyond the natural color.
Advantages of Teeth Whitening by Dentist
Teeth whitening procedures performed by dentists have innumerable advantages.
- Better results
The bleaching substance used by dentists has a higher concentration and is more effective and better than the ones bought over the counter. They also use heat and light effects during the procedure.
Dentists ensure no harm is caused to the gums during the whitening procedure by placing a barrier around them. Teeth whitening procedures performed by dentists generally give better results.
- Safety issues
Teeth whitening procedures performed by dentists ensure safety. The strong bleaching agents used by dentists include a substance to safeguard the teeth from damage. Dentists also use desensitizers to ensure that the procedure is painless.
The Process
To remove extrinsic stains on the teeth, the dentist cleans the teeth to get rid of plaque and debris accumulation. The dentists may use cheek retractors to get a better view of the teeth.
The choice between these options depends on a number of factors. If the teeth are severely discolored, visiting a dentist for teeth whitening may be a better option. For mildly discolored teeth, self-performed teeth whitening procedures may be considered.
