The Miracle that is Teeth Whitening

A lot of people can become very sensitive and self-conscious about the colour of their teeth. It is natural for teeth to stain through the years, although some factors can cause teeth to become severely stained, which can become noticeable. This will make people wary of their teeth and may result in them not showing their teeth when they smile. Such confidence denting issues lead many people to seek teeth whitening as a solution, and there are a number of options available.

Also known as dental bleaching, tooth whitening is a dental procedure that will lighten the surface of the tooth without surgery of removal of material. The desired results can be achieved via a number of techniques. These include: bleaching strips, bleaching gels, laser bleaching and natural bleaching. If done professionally, the procedure will involve protective gel being applied to the gums and soft tissue around the teeth followed by the whitening product being applied to the teeth.

Most whitening products include the ingredients hydrogen peroxide or carbamide proxide which reacts with the tooth enamel, oxygenating it and making it lighter. Laser treatment is slightly different, as a bleaching product is first applied to the teeth and then the reaction is made using a special light or laser. Neither treatments come with any complications, however sometimes tooth sensitivity and sore gums can be temporary side effects.

‘What should I avoid to stop staining my teeth?' is often a question we can ask ourselves, and there are a number of factors that can certainly increase the rate of stains and discolouration on teeth. These include:

• Certain foods and drinks like tea, coffee and red wine.
• The pigment of bacterial build-up on teeth, such as the colour of tartar and Calculus.
• Smoking and tobacco
• Certain medications including Tetracycline

Avoiding all the above will certainly help in decreasing the rate of the discolouration of teeth. However, these practices must be maintained along with regular brushing, flossing and use of mouthwash in order to maintain a healthy state of oral hygiene.

The length of the results will also depend of the level to which the above advice is adhered. Every method of teeth whitening takes different times to complete and each technique has varied lengths of effects. However, if tobacco and other undesirable elements are avoided, then results can last anywhere up to three years.

For more information about teeth whitening you can visit stafford dentists, who offer a range of cosmetic dental treatments including the likes dental implants being a stafford implant dentist, and of course teeth whitening.