ONLY RECEIVE TEETH WHITENING THROUGH A DENTIST, OR ACCEPT RISKS.

This involves bleaching one’s teeth to make them lighter by a dental therapist, or beauty salons. It is also known as dental bleaching. It is an economical way to enhance one’s smile. The teeth’s natural color is within light greyish yellow shades and the often darken with age. Dental appearance is often affected by accumulation of surface stains, which is mostly from the use of tobacco products like cigarettes and consumption of certain foods and drinks like tea, coffee or red wine. Use of some antibiotics is known to cause dental discoloration. Some people may have staining under the enamel surface or tiny cracks which take up stains while in some it is because of tooth nerve death.

WAYS OF WHITENING TEETH.

1. Gum shield whitening.

This involves assessment by a dentist who fits whitening gel into gum shield trays and one is t follow a specified routine.

1. Chair side whitening.

This involves applying the whitening product on teeth and shielding the gums with a rubber gel.

1. Laser whitening-Lasers are used to speed up teeth whitening procedures. A peroxide bleaching solution is applied to the tooth surface, is ”activated” by laser energy, which speeds up of the whitening process.

WHITENING PRODUCTS OFTEN USED.

• Use of hydrogen peroxide/ carbamid peroxide- this is an active bleaching ingredient that is broken down into urea. During its break down, oxygen released is absorbed into the enamel and teeth dentine making them lighter. This product causes teeth irritation and increases their sensitivity.
• Use of Sodium Bicarbonate and lemon juice- Sodium Bicarbonate is an abrasive alkaline that balances the mouth hydrogen potential (pH) while bleaching the teeth.
• Use of strawberry and salt- strawberry is a fruit that is high in vitamin C. It has malic acid enzyme which helps breakdown plaque and therefore removes surface stains. The salt is a cheap abrasive.
• Coconut oil- it has high levels of lauric acid which rids bacteria found in plaque and promotes healthy gums while bleaching them.
• Whitening toothpastes and surface whiteners- these contain chelation agents that easily remove surface stains, though their effectiveness is usually limited to the surface stains and can not be substituted for professional cleaning.
• Mouth wash detergents.

RISKS OF HOME KITS AND BEAUTY SALON TEETH WHITENING.

• Some home kits do not contain enough whitening product; they usually contain less than 0.1% Hydrogen Peroxide. This is too little to be effective.
• The bleaching agent may leak into one’s gums and soft tissues causing blistering and tooth sensitivity.
• Beauty salon staff without proper training or any dental qualifications not only carry oral health risks but are also carried out illegally.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TEETH WHITENING.

They are always temporary though permanent irreversible damage is known to occur when carried out by a non professional.

• Teeth sensitivity to cold after treatment.
• Gum discomfort.
• Sore throat.
• White patches on the gum line.

EFFECTIVENESS OF TEETH WHITENING.

This varies form one person to another depending on their lifestyle. In non smoking people, it lasts up to three years while in smokers, it is less than two years.

COSTS OF TEETH WHITENING IN THE US

Dental costs vary according to the therapist and from state to state. When done by a dental professional, it is usually considered a cosmetic treatment and the costs are high.

Laser whitening is more expensive than professional and home bleaching.

 

 

Brushing my teeth – sophie