What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening lightens teeth while also assisting in the removal of stains and discoloration. Whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures since it may significantly improve the appearance of your teeth. Most dentists offer teeth whitening services.

What Is It Used For?

The enamel is the outer layer of a tooth. Natural teeth’s color is determined by the reflection and dispersion of light off the enamel, as well as the color of the dentin beneath it. The thickness and smoothness of your enamel are influenced by your DNA. Thinner enamel permits more of the dentin’s color to show through. The reflection of light and hence the color is also affected by having smoother or rougher enamel.

A thin covering (pellicle) grows on the enamel every day, absorbing stains. Tooth enamel also has pores that can absorb stains.

The following are the most common causes of yellowing or staining of teeth:

• The use of tobacco

• Drinking dark-colored drinks including coffee, cola, tea, and red wine
• Not taking good care of your teeth
• Aging makes teeth less bright as the enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes darker.

Stains inside the tooth are also conceivable. These are known as intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains, for example, might be formed by excessive fluoride exposure as a youngster while teeth are forming. Tetracycline drugs are another reason. They can discolor a child’s teeth if consumed by a mother during the second half of her pregnancy or by a youngster aged 8 or less. During these years, teeth are still forming. Trauma can also cause a tooth to discolor.

Procedure of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening techniques are classified into two sorts.

• Vital whitening is done on teeth with active nerves.

• Non-vital whitening is performed on a tooth that has had root canal therapy and no longer has a live nerve.

Vital Whitening

The most frequent method of essential tooth whitening involves applying a gel directly to the tooth surface. This product contains hydrogen peroxide in some form.

Tooth whitening can be done at home or in the dentist’s office. With in-office whitening, your dentist can use a more potent whitening gel. A specific light or laser activates the gel, allowing for speedier bleaching.

• In Office Whitening. Whitening in the office often takes 30 to 90 minutes. You will require one to three appointments. The number will be determined by the procedure utilized, the severity of your stains, and how white you want your teeth to be. Different stains react differently to the treatment.

• In-Home Whitening. At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel your dentist provides. You will wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two. However, you may need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.

Non-Vital Whitening

Because the stain is originating from the interior of the tooth, vital whitening may not improve the appearance of a tooth that has had root canal therapy. In this scenario, your dentist will utilize a different method to whiten the tooth from the inside out. He or she will place a whitening substance inside the tooth and cover it with a temporary filling.

The tooth will be left in this position for a few days. This may only need to be done once, or it may need to be repeated until the tooth gets the appropriate shade.

How to maintain Teeth Whitening?

If you notice that your gums are white or sore, consult your dentist.

Whitening is not a long-term solution. The stains will return. If you smoke or drink a lot of staining foods or drinks, the whiteness may begin to disappear in as little as one month. If you avoid these staining culprits, you may not require another whitening procedure for 6 to 12 months.

Re-whitening can be done at home or in the dentist’s clinic. You may whiten your teeth as often as you need to if you have a custom-made mouthpiece and whitening chemical at home. Consult your dentist about your whitening schedule. You can discuss which whitening products might be most effective for you.