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Teeth Whitening - When Your Tooth Paste Doesn't Cut It
Cosmetic dentistry in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and Troy, NY
/Dental PR News/ - ALBANY, NY, July 20, 2006 - Our teeth are in constant use, so even if we brush and floss conscientiously every day, the years work against us, and eventually our teeth start becoming discolored. Some staining is related to our heredity. Most is probably caused by:
· Coffee
· Black tea
· Red wine
· Tobacco, and
· Some antibiotics.
These stains can be removed to some extent by bi-annual dental cleanings.
What can't be removed in that way or by our daily brushing and flossing simply accumulates over the years until some other treatment becomes necessary.
This is when tooth whitening becomes an attractive option.
How does tooth whitening work?
Basically it's a simple event. Our teeth whiten according to how long they're in good contact with the whitening agent. This means that one whitening option that is sometimes touted - using whitening toothpaste - is ineffective.
Why? Because your teeth are in contact with that toothpaste only as long as you're brushing with it. After you rinse and go about your daily activities, any toothpaste residue is drained from your mouth by saliva, and your teeth are not being whitened, although the whitening toothpaste may have polished them with a chemical agent.
Three whitening options
Depending on our lifestyle and budget, we can choose any of 3 effective ways to do a tooth whitening treatment:
· Professional bleaching
· At-home bleaching
· Supervised at-home bleaching, done with your dentist's help
1. Professional bleaching
Not everyone is a candidate for tooth whitening, regardless of which method is used, and the first step is a consultation with your dentist. Generally:
· If your teeth have yellowed, they'll probably whiten up nicely
· If they've become brownish in color, they may bleach a bit less well
· If they're grayish colored, they probably won't bleach well
Also, keep in mind that a tooth whitening procedure won't affect the color of any visible white fillings.
The in-office procedure is known as chairside bleaching. There may be more than one session, and each will take somewhere between a half-hour and an hour.
· Your cosmetic dentist first applies a protective gel to your gums (some use a rubber shield)
· Then the bleaching agent is applied to your teeth and left on for a while
· A special light may be used to enhance the whitening process
This can be a very speedy way to whiten your teeth. The active ingredient in the gel changes into oxygen molecules, which penetrate the tooth enamel and break up the stains.
Your dentist can use varying strengths of gel and some also use a laser light to speed up the process.
2. At-home bleaching
Most drug stores and supermarkets sell tooth whitening kits to be used at home. These contain peroxide of some kind (such as was traditionally used to bleach hair), usually carbamide peroxide.
The kit contains this whitening agent as a gel, and a mouthguard. Some instruct you to use it overnight for a week or two, and others say to use it twice a day for a week or two.
To use it, simply put the gel into the mouthguard and wear it for the specified time.
There are downsides to this way of doing things:
· The mouthguard may not fit very well, allowing the gel to leak out and be ineffective
· The mouthguard may hurt because it's ill-fitting
· The strength of the peroxide agent is considerably less than what your dentist can use for a professional treatment
3. Supervised at-home bleaching
This is a popular way of whitening your teeth. Your dentist can custom-make a mouthguard for you, and supply you with a bleaching gel. You treat yourself at home according to the dentist's instructions, and check in with him or her regularly.
There are some nice advantages to this method:
· The mouthguard, or tray, will fit you well and therefore won't hurt or allow the gel to leak out
· If you have any problems or questions, you can consult your dentist
· It costs less than a full professional treatment, yet is supervised and assisted by a dentist, which makes it safer and more effective than doing a solo act at home
On the other hand, the strength of the bleaching agent will again be weaker than what can be used in-office for chairside bleaching.
General observations
We're all different, and the causes of our teeth discoloration vary, so regardless of which method is used, results will vary. Some people notice increased tooth sensitivity, but usually it's temporary.
After your treatment is finished, avoid the following for at least a week, preferably longer:
· Black tea
· Coffee
· Red wine
· Tobacco
And of course, continue your good brushing and flossing routines. Because life happens, your teeth may need a repeat whitening procedure at some point, or a touch-up procedure.
Please click here for more information regarding teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures in Albany, New York.
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