Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dental treatment for adults and teens. Your teeth are one of the first things people notice when they meet you, and they can draw attention to your smile.
Whiter and better-looking teeth can give you a more youthful look and make you feel better about your appearance. If you have stains on your teeth or discolouration or concerned about your teeth shade and want brighter looking teeth, you can have a teeth-whitening treatment to make your teeth look better.
If you are considering whitening treatment or have tried an over-the-counter whitening product but not happy with the result, the information below would help you achieve your dream of a brighter and whiter smile.
Why can’t I whiten my teeth?
People have different natural teeth shades, so when comparing your result with someone else’s result, consider their initial teeth shade. Overtime, the food and drinks we take and our lifestyle can make the teeth darker. Other factors, such as medication, environment and illnesses, can also cause teeth discolouration.
If your mother took certain antibiotics when she was pregnant with you or nursing you, you might have discoloured teeth. Children who take certain antibiotics like those in the tetracycline family when their permanent teeth are growing may have discoloured teeth.
What are the available at-home treatments?
At-home teeth whitening options include over-the-counter whitening products and products dispensed by the dentist. An easy and simple option is whitening toothpaste.
Although toothpaste contains special bleaching agents that remove stains on the enamel, it takes longer to notice a change in the natural teeth colour. Before getting the toothpaste, ensure it has a seal of approval. Most people who use whitening toothpaste to whiten their teeth are not satisfied with their result and may want to get another whitening option. Whitening toothpaste is a good option for maintaining your whitened teeth.
Other at-home teeth whitening products also contain peroxide-based bleaching solutions of varying concentrations. You can get whitening strips which you apply on the teeth or bleaching trays fitted on the teeth to whiten them.
You can also see a dentist for at-home treatment; this allows your dentist to provide you with a custom-fitted whitening tray, which perfectly fits the teeth and gives a better result.
Most at-home teeth whitening trays require use for about 1 – 2 weeks, once or twice daily or overnight. Some persons experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation after using at-home solutions. However, using a well-fitted whitening tray from your dentist will reduce the risk of gum irritation.
Teeth whitening may be unsuitable for you if you have hypersensitivity, tooth decay or periodontal disease. However, getting your routine dental check-ups can help you identify these issues and get the right treatment. You can reduce the risk of teeth sensitivity by using the whitening products following the instructions.
Some people leave the whitening product on their teeth longer than required, so they end up with whiter but artificial looking teeth, while some people end up having a less-than-perfect result after using at home product.
In-office treatment
Most people opt for in-office treatments because they give a faster and better result. Your dentist can use a bleaching agent with a higher concentration than those in at-home whitening options.
Your dentist’s expertise can affect the outcome of your whitening treatment. However, you may not get your desired result regardless of your dentist’s expertise and experience. Some people may need dental veneers or other cosmetic dental procedures to get their desired result. When you have a damaged tooth, whitening your teeth can make the damaged tooth more noticeable – you need to see your dentist before getting your treatment.
It would help if you didn’t choose a dentist for an in-office treatment based on the whitening product they use. A good dentist will have a teeth-whitening plan considering your overall dental health, desired outcome, the timeline of the treatment, and habits.
Certain options require caution to prevent damages. For example, UV light activates the bleaching agent and speeds up the bleaching process, and it has been used for years to achieve better result. However, it has some long and short term effects on the skin.
Some dentists still use UV light for teeth whitening without caution,damaging the teeth and gums. In some cases, it may cause cancer. Protecting the gum tissues can help reduce the risk of damages caused by UV light.
If you need a teeth whitening dentist in London offering safe and effective treatment, call on 020 70434315 to schedule an appointment.
