What You May Not Know About Teeth Bleaching But Should

By Marla Mills


There are a number of reasons that contribute to tooth discoloration or staining over the years. Examples include levels of oral hygiene, the intake of certain medications and eating habits. Stained teeth can be bleached to improve their appearance. The teeth bleaching procedure involves the utilization of oxidizing agents like carbamide peroxide to bleach them.

Tooth whitening can also be performed by utilizing a special gel that is put into a flexible tray. A person needs to wear the custom tray in his or her mouth for a certain period. The tray is then removed and a second whitening agent in addition to a special light is used to activate the chemical reaction. The whitening agent reacts with the enamel of teeth and oxidizes the stain deposits in the process.

Bleaching becomes effective after the whitening procedure is performed repeatedly since this allows the bleach to sink into the dentine layer. It gets rid of stains and discoloration and this helps patients get a dazzling white smile. There are two main ways to perform this procedure. One method involves the use of an oxidizing agent which is applied to the dentine layer and then flushed away after some time.

Generally, dentists utilize a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide equivalent to bleach teeth. This whitening method is effective and fast but it involves some risks. The main risk is that it is possible for the whitening agent to damage soft tissues in the mouth. However, since the dentist will supervise the procedure, you should not worry much that you will suffer soft tissue damage because this may not happen.

The other bleaching method that a dentist can use involves placing the whitening agent in a strip that is then attached to the teeth. This strip is not removed right away. It has to stay in place for some hours or days depending on what a dentist recommends. Even if it takes a while to work, it is safe because the risk of soft tissue damage is significantly reduced.

Some stains such as those caused by prolonged use of antibiotics like tetracycline do not respond to whitening quickly. In this case, a person is required to undergo repeated tooth bleaching procedures so that the bleach can penetrate the dentine layer to bring out the desired effects. Newer tooth whitening procedures now involve using light to speed up the whitening effect of bleach.

Tooth whitening procedures are effective in eliminating stains and discoloration but the results vary from person to person. Tooth sensitivity can increase after you undergo the procedure. For this reason, it is wise for you to avoid drinking very cold or hot beverages a few hours after the procedure. Your dentist may recommend that you undergo a fluoride treatment to reduce sensitivity.

Typical dental insurance does not cover teeth bleaching procedures. If you find it too expensive to have the procedure performed by a dentist, you can purchase tooth whitening kits which are sold at most drug stores. You can easily use these kits at home and they are effective. However, you should be patient when using these kits because you may not get immediate results.




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