Definition: Tooth whitening is a process that is vital in lightening the teeth and aids in the removal of the stains and any discoloration. The whitening process is identified as one of the procedures of cosmetic dental that is most common since it is helpful in improving the look of the teeth. This process of whitening is mainly conducted by a number of dentists.
The tooth whitening process is an activity that is conducted once in a lifetime. This is because it is required to be performed in each and every time for the purpose of maintaining your teeth in the color that is brighter.
Use Of Tooth Whitening
Each tooth has an outermost layer that is identified as enamel. This layer is quite essential since it dictates the color of your teeth that is mainly natural. This respective color of an individual’s teeth comes as due to the scattering behavior and reflection effect of light from the enamel in combination with the respective dentin color that is located under it. An enamel that is thinner makes it possible for more dentin coloring to gain access to it. On the other hand, the enamel that is rougher or the one that is smoother have a great effect on the reflecting process of light which in turn creates an impact on the respective teeth color.
In each day, there is the formation of the pellicle, which is a thin coat on the tooth enamel. This coat is the one that is responsible for picking up the food stains. This tooth enamel also made up of the pores which are the ones that mainly hold together the stains.
There exists a number of reasons that are likely to lead to the food staining or yellowing of your teeth. These include; –
- Use of tobacco.
- Drinking of the liquids which are of dark color.
- Failure to take the required care of the teeth.
Older age contributes mostly to the commonly observed color of the tooth that is mainly less bright. This is due to the fact that the enamel of the tooth becomes thinner as the tooth dentin is in his process towards turning to a dark color.
There exist probabilities of having stains that are located inside the individual’s tooth. These form of stains are identified as an intrinsic type of stains. The common cause of the intrinsic type of stains is exposure to the fluoride mixture that is too much while still young when the teeth are on their developing stage. Other common causes are the tetracycline antibiotics. These antibiotics are capable of staining the child’s teeth mostly when taken by his/her mother during pregnancy. Also, they are capable of causing a stain to a child of 8 years or any child below this age. This is regarded as the period of teeth developing. Another common thing that is capable of darkening the teeth is trauma.
Whitening is a process that is effective to the stain types that are located on the surface or the extrinsic form of stains.
Tooth Whitening Preparation
There are some dental challenges that have an impact on the successful whitening procedure. A good illustration is the cavities that require treatment before the whitening exercise. This is vital since the solution for whitening is likely to get a throughway to the locations that are decayed and end up reaching the inner points of the respective tooth. If it happens that the gums of the teeth have receded, the root that is exposed is likely to turn yellow or even get discolored. Any attempt at using the products for whitening is likely not successful.
For the ones with receded gums or having a tooth decay, whitening process is likely to make their respective teeth to be sensitive. The whitening process is not successful for the veneers or the crowns that are ceramic or the ones that are porcelain.
Whitening exercise is capable of being conducted either at the individual’s home. It can also be performed with the help of a dentist at his/her office. For the case of a dentist, he/she will have to take a photo of the teeth before making any step. This is a vital step as it will aid in the monitoring of the progress of teeth whitening. Another thing that dentists will always wish to know is the cause of the staining.
Cleaning the respective teeth by the hygienist is the next process that follows. This will aid in the removal of the covering of bacteria, available food and any other thing likely to build on the respective teeth and cause staining. After this, the whitening exercise starts off.
In the case of Whitening processes at home, a personal dentist comes up with trays that are responsible for holding the gel used in whitening. The same hygienist ensures that this fits the teeth precisely. This gel is required to be used on a daily basis for a period of up to 3 weeks. There are also other kits that are meant for home use. These are essential in providing the trays that are used for holding the strips for the process of teeth whitening or the gel that usually gets inserted on the teeth. Following the hygienist’s instructions is a vital process in avoiding any overuse and any damage to the mouth or the teeth.
Teeth Whitening Processes
Vital tooth whitening exercise and non-vital tooth whitening exercise forms the two common procedures for the whitening process. For the case of vital whitening, it is a process that is conducted on the type of teeth that are accompanied by live nerves. Here, a gel consisting of hydrogen peroxide is mainly applied in a direct manner to the surface of the tooth. On the other hand, non-vital whitening forms a type of whitening procedure that is conducted on the tooth type that is accompanied by the root-canal type of treatment and is no longer associated with any live nerve. This process is not likely to cause any improvement in the tooth layout because of the root-canal type of treatment performed and this means that the stain origin is the innermost part of the tooth.
In case there is any indication of the tooth gums being white or even sore, an immediate visit to your personal dentist is required. It is rare for whitening process to cause negative effects that are serious. However, there is a probability of teeth becoming more sensitive to some individuals but for a short period of time.
