What You Need to Know Before Getting a Teeth Whitening Treatment

Teeth discoloration can be concerning, the result of bad oral hygiene can be long-lasted if not treated promptly. If you’ve ever been embarrassed about your smile because of teeth discoloration, here are some facts you need to know before you consider teeth whitening. You can also click here to investigate and find out about the different ways you can adopt to make it proper.

What are the causes of teeth discoloration? 

Teeth change color when you consume foods and beverages that have pigments. These are red wine, tea, and coffee, as well as tomato-based sauces, berries, and beetroot. Tar and nicotine from cigarette smoking will also give your teeth brown and yellowish stains. Over time, as these stains build up and left untreated, they will result in decay, making your mouth look very unpleasant. As we age, the teeth’s outer enamel thins out and the underlying yellow dentin will show. Other causes are antihistamine drugs, antibiotics, blood pressure medication, and chemotherapy.

What is teeth whitening?

It’s a bleaching process that is achieved with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals will cause oxidation, which will breakdown the staining agents in the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide will release most of its whitening power an hour after the treatment. Carbamide peroxide, on the other hand, will work two hours after the procedure.

What are my options?

You can naturally whiten your teeth if you brush it regularly with baking soda. This household ingredient has whitening and mild abrasive properties that can scrub away stains on the teeth. It will take at least two weeks to see the results. 

Your dentist’s office, or a diamond invisalign provider, on the other hand, will recommend the safest and fastest way to whiten the teeth. With your dentist’s supervision, a higher concentration of whitening formulation will be used. Your gums will be protected from the exposure because these whitening chemicals can cause damage. A special light laser will enhance the treatment, which will take 90 minutes before results can be seen. 

There’s also whitening strips and whitening trays — strips are cheaper alternatives that can be used at home, these strips have hydrogen peroxide gel. For the best results, you have to wear it for 30 minutes for 14 days. However, this is not advisable for people who have crooked teeth because it will create off and uneven white spots. 

Whitening trays are for those who have crooked teeth. Fill the whitening tray with the teeth-whitening ingredient and wear it for 30 minutes a day.  

If these methods don’t work, you can try teeth whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. These products don’t whiten teeth though, what they do is remove the stains with mild abrasive ingredients. 

Teeth whitening doesn’t work on all teeth. 

Some people are born with natural stained teeth due to having stronger teeth compared to others. Whitening does not work well on them. Stains caused by medications do not quickly whiten as well. If you have dental crowns, fillings, and veneers, teeth whitening products may not be effective.

Side effects. 

Teeth whitening procedures can have considerable side effects. The most common is teeth sensitivity. If you’re going to eat ice cream after the whitening treatment, you may feel pain. This is because your penetrated enamel and irritated tooth nerve are stimulated by the whitening agents. Although this effect is short term, you must avoid doing anything that will provoke sensitivity so you can also prevent the discomfort. 

Conclusion

Teeth whitening is not for everybody. That is why you need to talk to your dentist so that you will know the best options to take. He or she will then tell you if a teeth whitening process is worthwhile. 

If you are looking for a teeth whitening treatment at a family dentistry based in Allen, TX, get in touch today to see how we can help!