26 Apr Is Teeth Whitening the Ideal Treatment for You?

A dazzling, self-assured smile can leave a lasting impression — and for most of us, teeth whitening is the secret to making it work. Teeth whitening procedures have gained popularity over the past decade to the extent that they are now more convenient and cost-effective than ever before. But before you try the bleaching gel or book an in-office appointment, ask yourself: 

Is teeth whitening the right treatment for you?

Here, we will talk about what teeth whitening is, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether you are a proper candidate for this treatment or not. If you are confused, then this guide will help you to decide on your smile. 

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that will lighten the natural tooth color without damaging or removing any of the tooth structure. It’s not permanent — effects will eventually fade, especially where there is intense use of staining chemicals such as coffee or tobacco — but it can transform dramatically if well maintained.

There are a number of different types of whitening:

• In-office professional whitening In-office whitening:
  A high-concentration bleaching gel, perhaps with a special light or laser, is applied by a dentist to achieve rapid, dramatic results.
• Home kits with dentist monitoring:
  Professional-strength gel and custom-fitted trays are supplied and offer a convenience-efficiency trade-off.
• Over-the-counter whitening products:
  Whitening strips, generic trays found in most pharmacies, or whitening pens have lower bleach concentrations.
• Whitening and rinsing toothpaste:
  Less adjustment than maintenance, with mild abrasives or low levels of bleach.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

It’s helpful to understand what’s causing the discoloration before deciding if whitening would be right for you.

Extrinsic stains:

Extrinsic stains” are stains that appear on the surface from external sources, including:

• Coffee, tea, red wine, or dark fruit
• Chewing and smoking tobacco
• Poor oral hygiene resulting in plaque formation

These stains will usually bleach out with treatment.

Intrinsic Stains:

Intrinsic stains** are those that occur within the tooth and will probably be more resistant to treatment. They may be caused by:

• Certain medications, e.g., tetracycline or antihistamines
• Over-exposure to fluoride in early life
• Trauma or injury to the tooth causing internal structure breakdown

Teeth whitening will be less effective with intrinsic staining, and aesthetic treatments such as veneers or bonding will be more beneficial in this situation.

Advantages of Having Your Teeth Whitened

Teeth whitening is so trendy for a reason. These are some of the most important advantages that make it so popular:

A whiter, visible smile really does make a big difference to your overall look in the way that you appear younger and fresh. Everyone thinks that it makes them more confident, especially at work or even in social situations.

Teeth whitening is harmless, with no drill, no needles, and no elaborate treatment. For those individuals who wish to whiten up their smile without having to go all the way through full-on dental treatments, it is a good place to begin. Also, with in-office whitening, you can achieve incredible results in one office visit — usually lightening teeth by several shades in less than an hour. Even at-home whitening trays can produce incredible results in weeks.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Generally safe, tooth whitening has its limitations — particularly when done poorly or in excess.
The most common side effect is “tooth sensitivity”, with or following treatment. It will typically resolve within a few minutes but is painful for some.

“Gum irritation” can occur, especially in the scenario where whitening gel touches soft tissues. More likely in poorly fitting trays or poorly fitting at-home treatment.

Excessive application of bleaching agents will result in “enamel erosion” or blue translucency in tooth margins. Thus, the use of instructions with care and compliance with the limit is needed. If your teeth are crowned (crowns, veneers, or fillings), then ensure that they won’t prevent whitening products from working. It can result in uneven coloration of natural and artificial teeth.

Are You a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

You may not be ideally suited for whitening your teeth, so you’re always better off thinking about your own goals and oral health.
You’ll likely be an ideal candidate for whitening your teeth if:

• You possess healthy gums and teeth with no gum disease or underlying cavities
• You’re concerned with yellow or light brown staining caused by food, beverages, or smoking
• You don’t have a great deal of dental restoration in the front of your smile

Alternatively, you can forego bleaching if:

• You experience tooth sensitivity or gum disease
• You are pregnant or lactating (as a precaution)
• You have drug or trauma-inherent stains
• You have crowns, veneers, or fillings on front teeth that may lead to color mismatch

If you’re unsure, a dentist can assess your teeth and recommend the most suitable approach. Sometimes, a combination of treatments — such as whitening followed by cosmetic bonding — may be the best path forward.

Alternatives to Whitening

If traditional whitening isn’t right for you, don’t worry — there are plenty of other options to enhance your smile.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are a fixed solution in the guise of a very thin layer of composite or porcelain over your teeth, disguising color beneath.

Tooth bonding

Tooth bonding is a second solution, using a color-matched resin to reshape or stain areas.

Crowns

Teeth that are not just functionally compromised and stained tend to flourish on crowns, which carry cosmetic as well as restorative value.

Once you’ve achieved a brighter smile, the goal is to keep it that way. Here are a few practical tips to maintain your results:

• Brush at least twice daily with a whitening toothpaste
• Floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup and discoloration between teeth
• Limit foods and drinks that stain, or use a straw when drinking dark beverages
• Quit smoking to prevent new stains and improve oral health
• Get occasional touch-up treatments (if you consume coffee or red wine daily)
• Visit a dentist for regular cleanings to have plaque and surface stains removed

Healthy habits and lifestyles will work miracles in maintaining you with your whiter smile.

Final Thoughts

Whitening your teeth is a harmless, cheap, and efficient means of lightening your smile — but not for everyone. If you understand why teeth become stained, examine your oral health, and consider what you’re aiming to accomplish cosmetically, you can decide whether it’s an option or not.

If you are not sure and would rather decide if you would be suitable or not, then the best you can do is see a dental specialist in Salisbury. They will inform you what it entails, recommend the best course of action, and make your result safe and beautiful.