What is Teeth Whitening?

Men and women of all ages wants to have a whiter smile. Probably, this is because people associate whiter teeth with beauty, perfection or even as an indicator of one’s health and hygiene. Some studies even say that having whiter teeth make’s you look 13 years younger.

Teeth whitening is the process of lightening the natural color of your teeth without physically altering the structure of your tooth. Though the process can lighten the existing shade of your teeth, it cannot completely change the color of your teeth into white. You must also note that the effects of teeth whitening is not permanent. The whiteness of your teeth can last from 6 months to as long as 3 years depending on how you take care of it.

What causes discoloration of our teeth?

There are a number of reasons why your teeth darkens or discolors. One of the primary reasons for the discoloration of our teeth is age. As we age, so does our teeth.

Smoking cigarettes or tobacco can stain our teeth. Food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant can also stain the surface of our teeth. Build up of calculus or tartar can also affect the color of your teeth.

Certain antibiotics or medicine can also discolor teeth.

How do you whiten teeth?

There are many available over the counter products which claim to whiten teeth such as whitening pens, strips, toothpastes and even mouthwash.

However, professional bleaching recommended and performed by a dentist is still the most effective way of whitening teeth. The dentist may either provide you with a take-home whitening kit or perform an in-office power bleaching or teeth whitening.

In both cases, the ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel of the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.

If you are considering Teeth Whitening, make an appointment today at Affinity Dental Clinics.