More people than ever before are considering having their teeth whitened to brighten their smile, give their self-esteem a boost, and improve their overall appearance. The process is comparatively inexpensive and non-invasive, making the procedure an attractive option for those who have discolored or stained teeth. But, few people understand how the process works or what is involved. And fewer still know their options.
In this article, we'll explore the factors that can cause stains in the first place. Then, I'll help set your expectations regarding what to expect from whitening. Finally, I'll describe your options and explain what's involved during the procedure.
What Causes Stains?
To understand the next part of this article, you need to have a clear grasp of the material that has already been presented to you.
A lot of things can cause stains on your teeth; some happen on the surface (called extrinsic staining) and others happen from within (called intrinsic staining). Most people typically think that stains happen as a result of eating and drinking dark foods and beverages (for example, coffee). In truth, your eating and drinking habits are just one of many factors. Your age plays a major role; as you grow older, your teeth will absorb stains and darken over time. Also, if you grind them, the grinding can cause micro-fissures to develop, which can lead to darkening.
Some causes are genetic. For example, everybody is born with a natural tooth color and that color varies from person to person. Some have a mild yellow tint while others take on a slight grayish hue. The older a person gets, the more pronounced the natural color.
Facts And Expectations
You should also be prepared to have stains removed regularly, especially if you smoke, chew tobacco, eat citrus fruits, and drink coffee or tea often. And while you can purchase in-home kits from your local grocery store that claim to remove stubborn stains, they won't be nearly as effective as the solutions applied by your dentist.
Knowing Your Options
There are a few different strategies that your teeth whitening expert might use to remove stains, depending upon their severity and your preferences (not to mention your budget). In-office whitening is quick - it can usually be performed in an hour - and delivers the best results. Your dentist will use a high-potency whitening gel, which stays on your teeth for approximately 20 minutes. It's the most cost effective option, but saves a lot of time.
Teeth Whitening experts also offer take-home kits. If you're on a tighter budget, these kits can be an ideal solution. Depending upon the concentration of the peroxide gel and the level of customization the trays require to fit your teeth properly, these kits usually cost less than $400 (often, significantly less). If you need a less-expensive alternative, you can use the whitening strips and toothpastes sold in grocery stores. Just be aware that their effects take much longer to notice and are usually less pronounced.
How In-Office Whitening Works
Your dentist will first clean your teeth before whitening them. Then, he'll examine them for decay to ensure the gels or bleaching solution he intends to use won't cause any irritation. To expose the stained area, a tool is used to retract your lips and cheeks, and a resin is applied to your gums. The first application of peroxide gel is placed and left on your teeth for nearly 20 minutes. Then, it's washed off and another coat of gel is applied. This is done as often as your dentist deems it necessary and he'll check your teeth during the process to note how effective the gel is working. Finally, the last application of gel is washed off.
In-office teeth whitening is a quick solution for removing stubborn stains. Most dentists can perform the procedure easily and will offer different approaches to accommodate your budget.
Seeing is believing, but sometimes we can�t all experience every subject in life. This article hopes to make up for that by providing you with a valuable resource of information on this topic.
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