TEETH WHITENING
What is teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment performed to remove tooth discoloration and stains. Although teeth are naturally light yellow, several factors can affect the appearance of one’s smile, such as age, consumption of tobacco and dark-colored beverages like coffee and red wine. Not taking proper care of your teeth can also, of course, contribute to teeth discoloration.
What are the common procedures for teeth whitening?
There are two common types of whitening procedures: at-home kit or in-office, which is done by either laser or by Zoom! teeth whitening.
Which procedure is right for me?
Choosing which procedure is best for you depends on a couple of factors, such as price, time and your teeth condition. If you are looking for a cheaper and easy to use alternative for teeth whitening, then a home-use kit may be a good option. A take-home whitening kit consists of custom-fitted trays that can be used at your convenience. However, if you have sensitive teeth and gums, perhaps in-office whitening may be more suitable for you, seeing as at-home kits can irritate sensitive teeth and gums. Make sure to consult a professional to assess which procedure is best for you.
Patients Teeth Before & After Teeth Whitening
What are the risks of teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening carried out by a dental health professional is safe and effective. Minor side effects can nevertheless occur, depending on one’s current teeth condition. During the early stages, teeth whitening procedures can cause mild teeth sensitivity and/or gum irritation, which should eventually dissipate after a short while. In the meantime, in order to reduce sensitivity, you can wear the tray in shorter periods of time –if you are using a home kit–, avoid hot and cold foods and beverages and use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
After whitening your teeth: tips to maintain your bright smile
Here are useful tips for maintaining your smile after whitening your teeth:
• Avoid certain foods and beverages that cause teeth stain and discoloration, such as coffee, wine (both red and white), tea and hard candy;
• Avoid smoking, as tobacco is known to stain teeth;
• Use a straw when drinking beverages;
• Adopt a consistent oral hygiene routine: brush your teeth after each meal and floss daily.
