Monday, March 2, 2009

Tooth Whitening Procedures

By Shauna Peterson

Everyone desires beautiful, healthy and white teeth. Some people are even willing to pay large amounts of money for radiant teeth. This is why the developers of teeth whitening treatments have devised a large number of methods that essentially guarantee whiter teeth. It is best to study each of the treatment options available to you before choosing one.

The most popular teeth whitening method is known as bleaching. It is chosen by a lot of people because of its low price. Bleaching can be used to whiten teeth that have been stained by coffee, cigarettes or tea and for teeth that have not been properly brushed. A significant advantage to bleaching lies in the fact that none of the tooth's surface (known as the enamel) is removed during treatment.

It is important to speak to your dentist before trying any sort of professional-grade whitening treatment. The dentist will check you teeth and tell you whether or not they are ready for such a treatment. If they are, he/she will advise you on the best course of action, as far as tooth whitening goes.

The bleaching procedure is conducted in a dental clinic. The dentist will cover the gums and the rest of the mouth with a gel or a rubber shield. This will prevent any damage of the tissue. Afterwards, a tray that fits your mouth will be used to apply the whitening gel. When the treatment is over, the doctor will tell you how you can continue the treatment at home. You will likely be supplied with additional whitening trays.

The active substances in professional whitening procedures and take-home products are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. When applied to the teeth, the Oxygen molecules are broken down and pushed inside your teeth, more precisely, inside the enamel. Here the oxygen works to lighten the teeth. Even though this may appear to be a simple procedure, it may take three to four weeks until the treatment is completed and the full results can be seen. This tends to be the case with at home whitening kits. Whitening treatments performed in a dentist's office tend to have a more immediate whitening impact.

Those that can't afford in-office whitening but want quicker results are still in luck. There are new products that can be applied to your teeth for eight hours at a time. You can perform the treatment while you're asleep. Results can be achieved within a short week.

Laser teeth whitening is one of the fastest whitening treatments currently available. As in the case of bleaching, the dentist will place a rubber shield that will protect the gums and the tissue from damage. The whitening substance will be then applied. The laser light will be used to boost the effect of the chemicals applied on the surface of the teeth. The whiter color will be achieved in about one hour. However, the dentist's permission is necessary for this treatment.

Following the treatment, the teeth may be more sensitive to cold and hot foods and beverages, but this sensation will pass in few days.

Eventually, every patient will have to return to their cosmetic dentist for a follow-up whitening procedure. - 15275

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