Have you lost the natural white color of your teeth? Are stained teeth making you feel embarrassed even when you smile? If yes, teeth whitening is the best solution for you. Teeth whitening includes bleaching your teeth to make them several shades lighter. This procedure helps you get rid of plaque, stains, and the yellowness formed on your teeth, thereby restoring their natural color.
What Causes Teeth Discoloration?
Your teeth can go from white to dull because of many reasons, such as:
- Drinking coffee, tea, and red wine regularly affects the overall natural white color of the teeth and leads to staining.
- The excessive use of tobacco in any form, including cigarettes, also stains your teeth.
- Teeth get stained as the outer shell of the teeth, known as the enamel, gets thinner due to the causes such as vigorous brushing and aging.
- Your teeth may also change color upon reacting to any injury.
- The darkening of the teeth can also be the result of different kinds of medications such as antipsychotics, antihistamines, and medicines for high blood pressure.
What is the Basic Procedure of Teeth Whitening?
The process is simple. Whitening products containing tooth bleaches such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide are applied to the teeth by the dentist. These bleaches help to break the stains and bleach them out, resulting in whiter teeth. The whole procedure reduces the concentration of color and makes your teeth look brighter.
What are the Different Kinds of Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is not restricted to a single procedure. Your dentist may use one of the below-listed types of teeth whitening to remove stains from your teeth:
Conventional Teeth Whitening:
This procedure uses a whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide. The whitening gel is nothing but a bleaching agent that removes all the stains off your teeth. Under this method, the dentist screens your teeth for infections and other problems. After screening, the process starts where the gel is applied to the teeth and spread evenly. The gel stays on the teeth for a few minutes and is later washed off.
Laser Teeth Whitening:
Laser teeth whitening is a more advanced procedure that uses a photosensitive gel. This gel is reactive to the light of a specific wavelength. The gel is applied and evenly spread on the teeth. After this, laser light is used to activate the gel. The gel produces foam composed of oxygen molecules that removes stains from the teeth.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits:
Some dentists use customized plastic trays to remove stains from your teeth. This procedure involves taking a mold of your teeth and using it to design a customized plastic tray. You will have to wear this tray twice a day or overnight, as prescribed, along with a whitening gel. Since it can be carried out at home, it is more convenient.
You can schedule a consultation by calling at (650) 551-1601 for an appointment with our Dentist in Belmont, CA, or (650) 873-9398 for our Dentist in South San Francisco, CA. Online booking is also available.
