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TEETH WHITENING

Teeth whitening, otherwise known as Teeth bleaching, is increasingly becoming a common procedure and particularly in the area of cosmetic dentistry. Understandably, people think of white teeth as an attractive feature and with the onset of maturing years it is normal for teeth to discolour slightly. People want their teeth to return to their former glory and teeth whitening is especially suitable for people with strong, healthy teeth.

   
   
 

Most people will understand that children's' teeth are always whiter than adult teeth and very few people aspire to have their teeth quite as white because they begin to look unnatural. But how many times have you seen celebrities with teeth so white that they stand out against their tan and look completely out of place.

As we age it is normal for our teeth to become darker and this is caused by changes in the mineral structure of the tooth. Our tooth enamel becomes less porous and as a result they are more susceptible to staining by foodstuffs (such as tea, red wine and curries) and of course, tobacco.

   
   

If you are looking teeth whitening products, the following links may also be of interest to you:

 

   
  Most people associate white teeth with being younger and they find this irresistible. Gleaming white teeth is now synonymous with the "Hollywood smile" and increasing numbers of people are turning to a teeth whitening procedure to bleach teeth. The process uses oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten the colour of the tooth. The oxidising agent penetrates the enamel and removes the stain deposits. Over time it is also possible to penetrate the underlying structure so the underlying enamel structure is also bleached. In recent years we have seen the development of home teeth whitening kits and it is customary for people to want to try the products by getting hold of free teeth whitening strips so they can try the efficacy for themselves.

Teeth Whitening Methods

There are two essential ways of bleaching teeth. The first involves the application of a high concentration of oxidising agent for a short period of time. This can achieve quick results but there are inherent risks that the bleaching agent can chemically burn the soft gum tissues. Therefore, to overcome this teeth whitening risk, many bleaching methods will use a protective layer that is light-cured and painstakingly applied to the gums. As previously mentioned, the tooth whitening agent will either be carbamide peroxide, which breaks down to form hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide itself. As a general rule, the tooth whitening gel will normally contain around 35% of hydrogen peroxide or the equivalent.

The alternative teeth whitening method that is popular is to use a thin purpose-built teeth guard or strip which then holds a low concentration of the teeth whitening agent against the teeth for periods of around two hours a day for a week or more. This is often referred to as a home teeth whitening remedy or an over-the-counter tooth whitening gel. The process is usually much slower but the inherent risk of damage to the gums is much reduced. The teeth whitening agent is usually less than 10% hydrogen peroxide. If you purchase this product from your dentist he will normally make an impression of your teeth so that you are give a rubbery strip that you fit over the teeth that you intend to whiten.

Risks of teeth whitening

The two main side effects that often take place are a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity and sometimes a mild irritation of the gums. Tooth sensitivity will generally take place in the initial stages of the teeth whitening treatment. Whereas, tissue irritation normally arises because of a badly fitted plastic tooth guard that is fitted over the teeth. Fortunately, both of these problems are relatively short-lived and no long term damage is caused.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Try searching on the Internet for "teeth whitening" and you will be amazed just how many pages are on offer. Try it for yourself by hitting the search button below!

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N.B. The views expressed in this article and all other comments on this page should be independently validated and Fetcher Limited does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or otherwise of the information provided. The contents do not constitute specific advice or guidance and should be viewed merely as an additional resource from which you can form your own opinion and draw your personal conclusions on the subject matter.