What is teeth whitening?
Over time, the teeth can become dull and experience tooth stainings such as discoloration or yellowing. Professional teeth whitening is a great way to combat this type of staining and enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Teeth whitening works by applying a powerful, yet safe, whitening agent directly to the surface of the teeth. This works to bleach away stains and discoloration, leaving your teeth whiter. Some patients may experience increased tooth sensitivity during and immediately after the whitening treatment, but this is only temporary.
What stains teeth?
A variety of factors can lead to the discoloration of teeth. The most common culprits are foods and beverages with heavy staining properties like coffee, soda, and wine. The use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, can also cause the teeth to yellow and stain. In some cases, staining can be internal. This type of staining is usually caused by root canals, prolonged use of certain medications, or tooth trauma. Your teeth may become yellowed and discolored due to the natural aging process as well.
What happens during the whitening process?
Before the whitening process is scheduled, an examination of the teeth will be done to ensure they are in good condition for whitening. During the process itself, the teeth will be cleansed to remove debris or excess plaque or tartar that would otherwise block the bleaching solutions. Once the teeth are cleaned, the gums and soft tissue of the mouth are protected with a gentle retainer and then the hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is applied to the teeth. An LED light is directed at the gel covered teeth for about 15 minutes to fully activate the whitening components. The gel will be removed, and the teeth should appear to be whiter and brighter immediately.
To discover how professional teeth whitening can improve the appearance of staining and yellowing caused by these and other factors, we invite you to contact our dentist, Dr. Nataly Vilderman, today.
