Teeth whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures in the cosmetic dentistry field. Over time, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee and red wine, taking medications and ageing can stain your teeth. If you are looking to brighten your smile, here are some of the different teeth whitening procedures available.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Teeth whitening paste contains mild abrasives like aluminium oxide, silica, baking soda and calcium carbonate, which help get rid of surface stains. Whitening toothpastes have no bleaching agents like whitening products, but they contain chemical agents that remove surface stains. However, these pastes are only able to make your teeth one shade lighter and cannot address deep-set stains; they are, therefore, inferior to other advanced whitening solutions.
Teeth Whitening Trays and Gels
Teeth whitening trays and gels contain peroxide. However, the strength of these solutions will depend on the amount of peroxide in the whitening product. These trays are worn for several hours a day or during the night. You will start to notice changes in a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the level of peroxide used in the gel. Teeth whitening trays and gels can be purchased either over the counter or from the dentist. Whitening solutions from dentists are more effective because they have stronger peroxide levels than kits bought over the counter.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Strips are made from a thin plastic that is coated with a low concentration of peroxide. They are placed on the teeth and are worn at least twice a day. Their application time lasts about 30 minutes. While whitening strips are more effective than whitening toothpaste, they can cause irritation to the gums and are not good for people with sensitive teeth. Strips are less effective than trays because saliva can easily penetrate the strips and dilute the bleaching solution.
Professional Whitening
This procedure takes about one hour. Your dentist will apply a teeth whitening gel that contains a higher amount of peroxide. The dentist will then focus a special light at your teeth for a few minutes while reapplying the gel every few minutes. In some cases, a laser is used to accelerate the whitening process. A barrier will be used to protect your lips, tongue, and gums from the gel.
Summing It Up
If you want to make your teeth a shade lighter, there are numerous whitening solutions at your disposal. Teeth whitening toothpaste may be used to get rid of surface stains or mild discolouration. Teeth whitening trays and strips are effective for brightening your smile. For a thorough job, you can schedule an appointment for a professional whitening, which is considered more effective than other whitening treatments.
For more information, speak to a cosmetic dentist.
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