With the introduction of social media apps, selfies, and the film industry, healthy and white teeth have become more appealing than colored teeth. This is because they are deemed pretty and clean. Tooth whitening can either be done at home or at the dentist’s office. In as much as there are plenty of ways to whiten your teeth at home, it goes without saying that such methods cannot match the professional methods offered by dentists in Dubai. There are many aspects which need to be factored in before one goes for teeth whitening procedure.
Why are some people’s teeth not whiter?
In a nutshell, the thickness of your enamel and the level to which it is stained determines the color your teeth will have. Genetics, in most instances, play a major role in determining the quality, color, and type of enamel one gets. Thin enamel can be translucent hence can reveal the yellow inner parts of the tooth. A thicker enamel, however, has an opaque layer making the enamel seem brighter and whiter. Lifestyle choices too have an impact on the color of one’s teeth. Apart from genetics, some other causes of yellow (stained teeth) include;
- Using tetracycline before age 10
- Drinks such as coffee and wine
- Poor dental hygiene
- Aging
- Tooth trauma
How does tooth whitening work?
To get better and faster results, scheduling an in-office teeth whitening is the best choice one can make. There are two major types of teeth whitening; intrinsic and extrinsic whitening.
Intrinsic Whitening
This refers to the whitening of the inner part of the tooth, otherwise known as the dentin. The tooth soaks up whitening bleach or the hydrogen peroxide gel hence becoming lighter. Contrary to the expectations of many, this bleach lightens the inner parts of the tooth making its general appearance to be white.
Extrinsic whitening
This involves the removal of stains on the outer part of the tooth, also known as enamel. These stains can be caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking cigarettes, taking wine, coffee, etc. Extrinsic whitening techniques are not always very reliable and may expose your sensitive gums to harm.
Preparing for teeth whitening: What you should know
- How healthy are your teeth?
When you have untreated tooth related issues such as gum disease, exposed roots, gum recession, crooked teeth, etc. and you want to get the teeth whitened, prepare for a rude shock. You may have to face more pain or even bring forth more damage to your teeth. At the end of it all, you will have wasted your time and money as teeth whitening may hardly take on damaged teeth.
- Prepare yourself for tooth sensitivity
One of the most common side effects of tooth bleaching is sensitivity. You will feel some sort of discomfort which can be significantly reduced by taking painkillers.
- It is not a one-off project
The results of teeth whitening can last for long. However, some discoloration factors which cannot be avoided will still try to discolor your teeth. Some of these factors include aging, foods, and drinks such as coffee.
- Results vary
Depending on how healthy your teeth are and how well you have been taking care of it, you will expect the results to vary. Healthy, well-kempt teeth will get better results. Furthermore, the state at which your teeth were before the procedure will also determine the level at which they will get whitened.
- Choose the right method for yourself
Every person has a unique method which will only work for them while others may just backfire. Get to learn the best method to follow under the guidance of your dentist. So which is the right method for you to follow? Find out below.
Professional teeth whitening: Is it worth it?
There are many methods which can be used to whiten teeth. The safest and most reliable of them all is a visit to the dentist. The different types of teeth whitening procedures depend on a number of factors such as;
- The type of discoloration
- Cost of the procedure
- Treatment method
- Age (This mostly applies to children and the old whose teeth are more sensitive)
- Dental history
In general, the methods your dentist can use will involve the use of carbamide peroxide to bleach the teeth. This further, through chemical reactions, will break down to urea and hydrogen peroxide which targets the tooth colors.
Some of the tooth whitening methods include;
- Teeth whitening toothpaste
The biggest myth people have is that teeth whitening toothpaste can actually ‘bleach your teeth’. This is technically misleading as they do not really do so. All they have are mild abrasives which remove surface stains. More advanced ‘tooth whitening toothpaste’ have special chemicals which are more aggressive than other toothpaste.
These over-the-counter and fairly affordable strips are very easy to use and should you get the best brands, might actually work. Depending on the strength of the peroxide they contain, these strips may actually take more time to get results.
- Teeth whitening trays and gels
These trays are to be worn a couple of hours a day and can take anywhere between 3 days to a few days or, weeks before results can be seen. This solely depends on how strong the peroxide is. There are two types of trays; ones picked from the dentists and over-the-counter trays. Trays recommended by dentists are better as results are seen much faster. Moreover, over-the-counter trays are generic and are not custom-made to fit individual patients’ mouths. This might cause the gel to come out and probably irritate the gums.
- In-office bleaching
In-office bleaching is the most common and probably most efficient teeth whitening method available at the dentists’. There are several standard steps which are followed by dentists during the procedure.
- Before starting out with the chemicals, the dentist will clean your teeth and make a record of your current shade of teeth.
- Isolating your teeth – your dentist will use some methods to isolate your teeth so that your sensitive parts such as gums. Dental dams, liquid dams, rubber dams, cheek retractors, face bib, gauze, and cotton rolls are a few of these methods.
- Application of the whitener – your teeth will, therefore, be applied a bleaching agent on the teeth. This is the main procedure and a process which only takes a little over an hour.
- Activation phase – some whitening products will require laser or curing light in order to activate the bleaching agent. Different types of light energy can be used for this process including LED, Plasma arc, and halogen. This process is often very controversial as there have been risks associated with the practice. Once applied, the solution can be reapplied or left on the teeth for a couple of minutes.
- When the maximum time has reached, the teeth will be rinsed. Fluoride may be used to ease sensitivity. When the desired results have been achieved, this will mark the end of your visit.
Advantages of in-office treatment methods
- Produces fast results
- The safest form of teeth bleaching
- Discomfort from the bleaching process is minimized
Disadvantages
- Quite costly compared to other teeth whitening methods.
- Not everyone can be a candidate, especially when you have damaged teeth.
Over to you
After reading this information you will be ready to make your decision. When in Dubai or whichever part of the world, you can always count on Glow Medical and Dental Center to offer you top-notch teeth whitening dubai services at very affordable rates. Book your appointment today!