Teeth can be discolored or stained due to many reasons. If you’d like to brighten them and make them whiter, you can do it without risk. There are many choices to pick from.

Visit your Yorkville Dentist for treatments to whiten your teeth or make use of at-home whitening kits. Although there can be some negative effects of teeth whitening, most whitening procedures are safe to use so long as you adhere to the product’s directions.

TEETH-WHITENING OPTIONS:

Various options and products are available to help whiten your teeth. However, you might be confused about what you should choose and which is safe.

There are three broad types of methods for teeth whitening. These include:

• Your dentist performs the procedure
• The dental professional will prescribe it to you to take home
• You buy a product over the counter or prepare it at home with the supervision of your dentist

You can select a method of teeth whitening based on one or more aspects such as:

• The kind of discoloration you are experiencing
• The cost of the treatment
• The treatment method
• Your age (this applies to children)
• The dental background of your family, which includes crowns and fillings

Before trying any method, it is beneficial to discuss the whitening options with your dentist. Your dentist will provide a treatment plan that is the most appropriate for your requirements. There’s a good chance that you’ll be discussing several options for whitening your teeth.

Remember, the amount of time required to whiten your teeth safely is contingent on the kind of discoloration you’ve got along with the procedure you choose to whiten your teeth.

PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING:

The dentist may employ different methods for whitening your teeth, either within the dental office or from your home. The methods they employ bleach your teeth using carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide as well as urea. This affects the color of your teeth during a chemical reaction. It’s regarded as a safe way to make teeth whiter.

Office treatment

In-office Teeth Whitening treatments are beneficial since they can be completed quickly. In addition, the effect of whitening can last for a longer time. Depending on the case, you could require an hour or a couple of visits to brighten your teeth. This is because the level of hydrogen peroxide used in the treatment done at the office is higher than the level you will find in the products you purchase for use at home. 

It is recommended to use office treatments when you suffer from growing gums, lesions, or obstructions. The dentist can also apply light while applying the product to your teeth to speed up the process. However, this alternative method has not always proven to be efficient.

Home treatment with your dentist
Dentists can assist you with whitening your smile at home. For example, your dentist might be able to design specific-fit trays that will fit your mouth. It is possible to put a gel in the tray and wear it for 30 minutes to an hour every day (as suggested by the dentist) for a couple of weeks to get your teeth whiter.

TEETH-WHITENING PRODUCTS AS WELL AS OTHER OPTIONS AT-HOME:

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) bleaching products to treat stained teeth. However, in contrast to the teeth whitening products prescribed by dentists, these do not contain carbamide peroxide or contain significantly less of it than in the products that dentists make use of. This means that if your teeth are discolored from within, OTC teeth whiteners may not perform as well or take a longer time to make your teeth whiter.

Certain OTC products are branded with an American Dental Association Seal of Approval. Certain products that are not covered by the seal and do not have it, are still safe to use; however, this seal’s purpose is to provide you with more assurance in making purchasing choices and to ensure that the product you’re buying is secure. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when making use of any product.

Dental whitening products
The whitening kinds of toothpaste aren’t made with carbamide peroxide. Instead, they focus on the teeth’ surface by using a range of different substances that include abrasives and blue covering, a chemical. As a result, whitening toothpaste could take a while to take effect. However, those could be effective with just one brush since the chemical causes your teeth to appear cleaner.

Whitening strip
There are also at-home whitening strips to whiten your teeth. They contain less hydrogen peroxide than professional brands. They are applied one or two times per day to your teeth for a predetermined period, as specified by their manufacturer.

A range of products for whitening can be purchased, all with various levels of bleaching chemicals.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND VARIOUS HOME-BASED METHODS:

You might be interested in using homemade methods to whiten your teeth. Activated charcoal is one of these treatments. 

However, these techniques aren’t clinically proven to improve the whiteness of teeth and must be examined by a dentist before a decision can be made about trying these methods. In addition, there is a risk of damaging your teeth when you try these techniques without consulting with an experienced dentist.

EFFECTS ON THE SIDE AND ADDITIONAL ASPECTS:

Although teeth whitening is thought to be as safe, you might have some adverse effects from treatments like:

• Sensitivity to teeth. Your teeth may become more sensitive following teeth bleaching. This may occur during your initial or second treatment, but it could decrease over time. Your dentist might suggest treating sensitivity using products containing potassium nitrate or sodium fluoride gel.
• Gums that are irritated. You may also suffer from gingival irritation. This is when your gums are irritated. It can be caused by the contact of your gums with the whitening products. The problem will disappear after your treatment.

Remember that you are unable to bleach your teeth permanently. You’ll have to look for periodic whitening procedures to treat both intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration. Be aware that whitening products are designed for natural teeth. 

It is important to consult your dentist regarding ways to blend the colors of your teeth if you’re wearing bridges, crowns, implants, or dentures.

Whitening treatments for teeth might not be the right option for you if you are dealing with active dental decay or if you have certain dental work completed.

MAINTAINING YOUR TEETH PERFORMANCE:

Your diet, drinks, and habits regarding oral hygiene can affect the length of time the effects of whitening your teeth can last. When you’ve finished your treatment to whiten your teeth, they remain susceptible to staining due to drinks like coffee and tea, as well as certain food items.  Cleaning your mouth and brushing your teeth after eating or drinking will prevent discoloring agents from being absorbed on the teeth’s surface — and reduce the likelihood of plaque accumulating!

THE TAKEAWAY:

If you stick to methods that dentists approve, whitening your teeth is considered safe. Be sure to choose the method that is appropriate for your needs. Always adhere to the instructions for any whitening product that you choose to use. Consult your dentist if you have any adverse reactions.

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