Enhancing the appearance, boosting self-confidence, and making great first impressions are some of the benefits of having whiter teeth, which is why it comes as no surprise that it is desired by so many of us. This guide will teach you how to whiten teeth, why your teeth get discoloured, and everything you need to know about the risks involved.
Why Do Your Teeth Get Discolored?
Many factors come into play that can cause tooth discolouration. One of the main factors is what we consume. Drinks like coffee, tea, and wine can stain the teeth over a long period. The dark pigment in these drinks can get rooted in the tooth and remain there and build up without proper dental care.
Certain fruits and vegetables can darken the enamel on the teeth and highly acidic foods since they erode enamel over time. Fruits like blueberries and blackberries can affect the teeth as dark-coloured drinks with dark pigments.
Besides certain foods and drinks, tobacco, poor dental hygiene, medications, and certain diseases can cause your teeth to change colours. As you may know, if you do not brush away the food particles left on your teeth every day, they can build up and make your teeth appear yellow.
Certain types of antibiotics, such as tetracycline, can change the look and colour of a child’s teeth if given to them under the age of eight, affecting the appearance and health of the teeth at an early age.
Teeth discolouration can also be related to ageing since enamel wears away over time and dentin naturally turns yellow with age. Since the enamel gets thinner, dentin, the tooth’s inner structure, will be able to show through more clearly.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
So now that we have gone over how your teeth can get discoloured, it is time to discuss how to get whiter teeth. There are many different ways to go about this, with so many at-home remedies that you can try and professional procedures that can be done. The first one up is the dentist’s office.
Dentist Office Procedures
Getting your teeth whitened by trained professionals is a safer option for those who are more cautious about the teeth whitening process and wary of doing it yourself.
Before the procedure begins, dentists thoroughly clean your teeth to start on a blank canvas. Teeth cannot be bleached effectively if there is an excessive plaque on the surface.
After that, they place a dental dam around the teeth to protect your gums and then apply a bleaching agent or teeth whitening gel to the teeth for a specific amount of time. The time depends on the amount of peroxide in the solution used. The usual amount is 10 to 45 minutes, and another layer is added after the first for the same duration.
You can opt for a laser teeth whitening procedure at some offices to see results faster. An even higher dose of peroxide is used during this treatment that gets activated by the laser for immediate results. This can lead to extreme teeth sensitivity, so the dentist provides desensitizing pastes to ensure that the teeth do not become damaged.
The only downside to this type of procedure is that it is costly, and some say that the solution used dehydrates the teeth, which can cause them to appear brighter for a few hours and then become duller as it wears off. However, since everyone’s teeth are different, there are various outcomes, so try it yourself if it is something you can afford.
Some of the benefits of whitening your teeth with a professional are giving you specific advice on keeping your teeth clean, providing a customized teeth whitening kit to take home in between visits, and providing supervision during the process to ensure that your teeth are safe. So, before doing home remedies, keep these factors in mind.
How To Bleach Your Teeth At Home
Home remedies for bleaching your teeth can come in many forms. Some of the safest ways to try out first are toothpaste, mouthwashes and whitening chewing gum that whiten the teeth over a prolonged period.
You can also use natural products to aid in the whitening process. Things like oil pulling, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixtures, activated charcoal, and apple cider vinegar can whiten your teeth over time with constant use and patience.
However, if you are looking to get your teeth whiter faster, you can try over-the-counter teeth whitening products. These include hydrogen peroxide, which can have a similar effect on the teeth as dentist procedures at a more affordable price. They can come in the form of strips, tooth whitening gels in trays, or ones that you can paint on.
Risks Involved In Teeth Whitening
While teeth whitening sounds like a great option to get the picture-perfect smile you are looking for, some risks and dangers must be considered before deciding to do it. High levels of hydrogen peroxide can cause tooth sensitivity, causing discomfort while eating extra-hot, cold, or acidic foods.
These high levels can also cause erosion of enamel with constant use. Some people want their teeth to be perfect, so in many cases, users become addicted to teeth whitening, causing overuse of the products. Even if this does not happen to you, you must follow the directions on the product you decide to use to prevent any damage to the teeth.
Unrealistic Expectations
One of the things you may be asking yourself after reading this guide is whether or not teeth whitening works, and the answer is that it depends entirely on the state of your teeth. Since everyone has different levels and causes of discolouration, some may see immediate results after a procedure, and some may not see any change.
Summary
Teeth whitening is an effective way to brighten your teeth to get the smile that you want. The experience varies significantly from person to person, ensuring that you do enough research to learn which procedure is the best for you. We hope you enjoyed reading this guide and that it has taught you what teeth whitening is all about. Thank you for reading.
