Yellow teeth snatch your confidence to smile freely. The underlying cause for discoloured teeth could be anything from the genetic pass down, regular consumption of teeth-staining beverages like coffee, smoking or anything else. Regardless of the root cause, teeth whitening dental treatment helps achieve a brighter and healthier-looking smile.
If you are considering professional teeth whitening for a confident smile, it’s essential to understand what the treatment involves. This comprehensive guide will talk about teeth whitening procedures and how to prepare for the treatment.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that aims to enhance the appearance of teeth by lightening their colour. It involves the usage of chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and the application of bleaching agents to break down stains. The teeth whitening procedure is used to combat the effects of various factors, such as aging, diet, and lifestyle choices, that can lead to discolouration.
Methods of Teeth Whitening
➤ In-Office Teeth Whitening
This professional teeth whitening procedure is conducted at a dental office, where the dentist assists with a higher concentration of bleaching agents compared to those available in over-the-counter products. Specific measures are implemented to safeguard the gums and soft tissues, often involving the use of a light or heat source to activate the bleaching agents. Remarkable enhancements in tooth whiteness can be achieved in just one or two sessions.
➤ At-Home Teeth Whitening
Whitening kits for at-home use can be purchased over the counter or through your dentist and generally contain a lower concentration of bleaching agents than in-office treatments. These kits typically feature custom-made trays that fit over your teeth, ensuring the whitening gel remains in place. Although the results of at-home kits take longer, they provide more convenience and can be effective for mild to moderate staining.
The procedure of Teeth Whitening
- Selecting A Tooth Shade: Before your teeth-whitening treatment begins, the dentist will take pictures of your teeth to see their current colour. This helps them figure out how many shades your teeth will lighten after the procedure. Then, they will help you pick the level of whiteness you want using a guide with many tooth shades. This procedure is performed to ensure that the final teeth colour matches the client’s expectations.
- Polishing The Teeth And Applying Protective Gel: First, your dentist will clean your teeth using a special powder called pumice made from flour. This helps remove plaque and prepares your teeth for the whitening process. Then, cheek retractors will be put in your mouth to keep your lips, tongue, and cheeks away from the whitening. After that, the dentist uses a rubber shield or a protective gel near your gums to shield them from the whitening solution.
- Coating The Teeth With Whitening Solution: The dentist will apply the whitening solution on each tooth and let it stay for a bit. This solution contains chemical hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Many teeth whitening products require a special light to help activate the solution. They might need to apply more solutions, depending on the product they are using.
- Fluoride Application: After enough application time to reach the colour you want, the dentist will wash the solution and get rid of any leftover teeth whitening & the gum cover. Then, they use fluoride to make your teeth less sensitive.
- Final Process: The dentist will ask you to remove the protective goggles and instruct you to rinse your mouth with water. After that, they will take pictures of your teeth. It’s important to know that the colour right after the treatment won’t be the final colour. Your teeth will keep getting lighter over the next few days.
Preparing For Teeth Whitening
-
Checking Your Teeth and Cleaning
The dentist will make sure your mouth is healthy and clean away any surface stains with a professional cleaning. It is especially essential when you have recently undergone dental treatments like crowning or veneer teeth.
-
Dealing with Dental Problems
If you have other issues like cavities or problems with your gums, it’s important to fix those before whitening. Whitening can make existing problems worse, so it’s better to make sure your teeth are in a healthy state.
Conclusion
The teeth whitening procedure is a non-invasive treatment. It can be completed in just a few minutes to one hour, and the results can make a big difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. You can immediately see its effects after your first appointment. However, depending on the severity of tooth discolouration, achieving optimal results can take more than one treatment.
If you are interested in dental aesthetic enhancement treatments like teeth whitening, crowning or porcelain veneers in Sydney, contact Cosmetique Dental today at (02) 8090 1101 to schedule a consultation.
