Introduction:
Teeth whitening is one of the more popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry. It is done to brighten the look of your teeth in order to improve your smile. It can remove the stains and discoloration that have affected your teeth over time.
Symptoms:
If you have plaque or tartar buildup you may notice that your teeth have been affected. Drinking red wine, coffee or tea can stain your teeth. The older you get that more vulnerable your teeth will become.
Diagnosis:
Your dentist can determine the whiteness of your teeth by comparing them to the examples on a shade chart. Some people are not good candidates for tooth whitening. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those who are currently breast feeding.
Any existing dental work will not take to a whitening treatment. The contrast will be evident.
Treatment:
There are various ways to whiten your teeth. Over the counter kits are sold at drugstores and pharmacies. Your dentist can give you a professional product to use at home or he can whiten your teeth in the office.
The whitening gels, strips or toothpastes that you can buy are inexpensive, but it will be some time before you will notice any real improvement. They are applied using premolded trays that fit over your teeth.
Professionally applied treatments act fast to create a more impressive effect. Some procedures will take less than an hour, while others are done over two appointments.
Your dentist will apply a peroxide gel to your teeth and then activate it with a special light or laser.
The whitening won’t last forever but you can use a touch up gel to preserve it.