The Ways Teeth Get Stained
Teeth can become stained and discolored for a number of reason. As people grow older they will often develop plaque and tartar on their teeth, which gives them a yellow appearance.
Furthermore, people's eating and drinking habits can stain teeth and reduce their natural whiteness. Soda, red wine, tea, and coffee are known to stain teeth particularly badly. Smoking is another factor in teeth becoming yellow.
The problems of discoloration can be overcome with a treatment of teeth whitening dentistry. This can be performed in different ways. One of the most common ways is for a dentist to take an impression of their patient's mouth in order to make them a mouth tray.
This tray is then filled with a bleaching gel. It is kept in the mouth for a couple of hours at a time, and within a few weeks the patient will have a noticeably brighter smile.
This is quite an inconvenient procedure, as it involves several trips to a dentist's surgery, although the patient can be given the supplies they need to carry out the treatment at home.
What About Laser Teeth Whitening
A much quicker, but slightly more expensive option is laser teeth whitening. This involves a laser being used to activate the crystals within the bleaching gel, and so can obviously only be performed by a trained dentist.
The gel is allowed to penetrate deep into the enamel of the teeth, making it a very effective method of teeth whitening. It can be carried out very quickly in only one session, and the difference in the color of the teeth will be remarkable.
The use of a laser, as well as the chemicals found in the bleaching gel, has led some dental patients to doubt the safety of teeth whitening procedures. They claim that it damages teeth by stripping the enamel from them.
So Is Teeth Whitening Really Safe?
These fears have been argued against by many leading dentists. Previous methods used to treat discolored teeth were very abrasive, and they certainly did damage the enamel.
However, with the advancements in modern chemical treatments this is no longer an issue. In terms of a laser being used, it is very controlled, and lasers are now used safely in a variety of dental and medical procedures.
Some people do experience a negative reaction to a teeth whitening procedure. They will suffer from sore teeth and gums as a result of the chemicals used in the bleaching agent. This is a temporary condition, however, and it by no means affects everybody who undergoes the treatment.
Are There Side Effects To Teeth Whitening?
For most people there are absolutely no side effects whatsoever but it is always advised to consult with your dentist before any teeth whitening is done so as to ensure you're not allergic to the product and thus permanently damage your teeth or health.
What's The Take Home?
As mentioned in my last paragraph, the take home is simple: teeth whitening is a fantastic way of getting your teeth nice and bright but it's of the utmost importance that you consult with your dentist first. I know it's hard to simply walk past the teeth whitening products when you're in the store but your health is at stake, your physical health and your oral health as well.