By Marla Mills


Teeth can get discolored as we age due to various factors like diet and lifestyle choices, level or oral hygiene and taking certain medicines. You can deal with the problem of having stained teeth by choosing to have them professionally bleached. Teeth bleaching procedures are usually performed by dentists who utilize oxidizing agents like carbamide peroxide for bleaching purposes.

Whitening can also be done by using a special gel that is placed in a flexible custom tray worn around the teeth for a particular period of time. After this tray is removed, you should use a second whitening agent and a special light which activates the chemical reaction. Whitening agents react with tooth enamel and this reaction oxidizes the stain deposits.

The tooth whitening procedure becomes effective after the bleaching agent sinks into the dentine layer. After it is complete, it eliminates all signs of discoloration. This procedure can be performed in two ways. In the first method, a dentist applies a layer of oxidizing agent to the dentine layer and then flushes it away after a certain period.

Generally, a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide equivalent is used to perform tooth whitening. This method is effective and the results are seen within a short period. However, it involves some risk such as soft tissue damage. This is not something to worry about if you have the procedure performed by an experienced dentist. This professional will do his or her best to ensure that your soft tissues do not get damaged.

Dentists also perform tooth whitening by placing the bleaching agent in a thin strip and attaching it on teeth. This strip is not removed in the same sitting. Dentists let patients retain it for a period of a few hours or days. This method takes a while to work but it is safe. The risk of tissue damage taking place is minimal.

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.

Teeth bleaching services are usually not covered by typical dental insurance. If you cannot afford to visit the office of a dentist to undergo the procedure, you can choose to utilize tooth whitening kits. They are available at drug stores and you can easily use them at home. They are just as effective as the whitening procedures performed by professionals. However, these kits take about a week to work.




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