What is teeth whitening?
The term teeth whitening is the name given to treatment programs that make your teeth whiter. The whiteness of teeth can be measured according to several grading systems. Using one such system, the Vita Shade Guide, having a course of teeth whitening treatment should increase the whiteness of your teeth by at least 4 shades. In using teeth whitening kits you can attain perfectly white teeth, such as you might associate with movie or TV stars. However, most people use teeth whitening products to remove unsightly stains or discoloring of their teeth, restoring them back to a natural whiteness.
Until recently teeth whitening treatments would have been carried out by a dentist. However, now you can purchase teeth whitening kits that you can use on your own and in your own home. The essence of most teeth whitening kits is the use of a specially formulated compound in the form of a gel, which contains peroxide. The gel has the effect of bleaching your teeth white, this bleaching process is achieved by the compound releasing tiny bubbles of oxygen that oxidize away the stains and discoloring. For full effects teeth whitening products need to be applied at least twice a day for around 30 minutes a session, over a period of two to three weeks.
The alternative to doing your own teeth whitening treatment at home is to visit a dentist for a ‘professional’ course of treatment. As the dentist is trained and qualified in dental procedures they can remove stains and discoloring in a much shorter space of time. This can be achieved by more carefully targeting bad stains and discoloring on your teeth and by having a wider range of treatment options available to them. An important point to note is that neither a dentists nor an ‘at-home’ teeth whitening treatment program will restore any discolored fillings, crowns or veneers back to a perfect white color. If any of those features needs whitening, to get them matching the rest of your teeth, they will have to be replaced by your dentist.
The length of time that your teeth will retain their new bright whiteness will depend on several factors. Typically a dentist’s procedure will probably last at least twelve months an ‘at-home’ one about four months. The speed with which your teeth stain and discolor again will largely depend on the diet of food and drink you consume and whether or not you are a smoker. You can help extend the length of time your teeth remain white by using; mouthwashes and toothpaste that are formulated to help keeping teeth white, using an effective toothbrush and flossing regularly.