Bleaching or Whitening of Teeth
We all want a whiter smile, and today, it can be accomplished safely.
Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade.
Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and black currant. Smoking can also stain teeth. Calculus or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
We all want a whiter smile, and today, it can be accomplished safely, quickly and effectively. While tooth whitening is the quickest, most cost-effective way of improving a healthy smile, there are many options available for getting teeth their whitest, which can make it confusing to choose the best method.
The most important and first step in any whitening procedure is to seek the advice of an oral health care professional for examination, assessment and recommendation. A visit with your dentist will result in the whitest teeth possible by making sure your teeth and mouth are healthy and that any oral health problems are addressed before you begin a whitening program. Additionally, surface stains and deposits that occur on the teeth over time will be removed, allowing for the best possible whitening. Finally, your dentist will advise you on strategies that will help you maintain your new whiter smile once you have it.
What are the treatment options?
There are two options for teeth whitening:
- In-office whitening at the dental clinic
- At-home whitening
Out of the two, in-office whitening gives faster results as it is done with a more powerful whitening gel compared to at-home treatment. We use a specialized light that activates the gel and allows bleaching to happen faster. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour for the treatment and 1 to 3 appointments depending on your present shade and your desired result.
For in-home whitening, we take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and make custom trays to fit on your teeth. You will have to fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel that we provide and wear the tray for a few hours every day. The majority of people get the whiteness they want within a week or two. However, a few might need to wear the mouthpiece for a longer period.
How long will the effect of bleaching last?
The bleaching effect totally depends on your eating and brushing habits. If you maintain good oral hygiene and avoid foods that cause staining, then you may not need treatment again for years. There can be some conditions where you might have to go for it in shorter intervals. We will be able to guide you on what is best suitable for you during the consultation.
What are the side effects of tooth bleaching?
Some patients might experience sensitivity immediately after the treatment is done. However, it is subjective and in most cases disappears automatically within a few days without any medication.
