Sometimes a gleaming smile is the only accessory you need to look beautiful. A bright grin and perfectly aligned teeth make your personality more attractive. But the white spots on teeth or tooth discoloration can snatch your beaming smile.
However, brighter and whiter teeth are achievable with a variety of instant teeth whitening options. The readily available treatments make you wear a shiny, beautiful smile. Your dentists have the best teeth whitening solutions for you.
Causes of tooth discoloration
Stained teeth can shake your confidence and become a source of embarrassment. Often, people with discolored teeth barely smile. They are afraid to show their yellow teeth and the unwanted attention that follows. You cannot fix a problem unless you know the root cause. Similarly, it is important to understand why teeth lose their natural shine, before looking at the treatment options.
Periodontal diseases
Periodontal disease is one of the leading factors that can cause your teeth to lose their shine. More than 50% of adults deal with some gum diseases. Gum disease stems from gingivitis.
When the food particles remain trapped in your teeth, they cause plaque buildup, which eventually solidifies into tartar. In gingivitis, your gums get irritated and bleed often. The plaque buildup infects the gum line, causing redness and swelling. However, prompt treatment can reduce the risk of irreversible damage.
When the infection spreads to the teeth bone, ligaments, and gums, it takes the form of periodontal disease. The bacterial infection pulls the gum and bone away from the tooth. It also causes the enamel to erode, thereby exposing your tooth dentin.
Highly-pigmented foods and tobacco
Highly pigmented food and drinks, such as berries and red wine, can leave yellow or brown spots on your teeth. However, you can get rid of these unattractive marks with proper oral hygiene.
Besides, tobacco smoking and aging also cause tooth discoloration or stained teeth. As you age, your tooth enamel gets worn away. Enamel erosion exposes the underneath layer, the yellow bony tissue, commonly known as dentin.
Instant teeth whitening: What are your options?
Teeth whitening treatments can help you get rid of those brown or yellow spots on the teeth. The purpose of the various teeth whitening techniques is to help you achieve a flawless smile.
Time is an important factor when it comes to teeth whitening procedures. It all depends on how fast you want the results to appear. Based on how much time you have, you can receive an in-office teeth-whitening treatment, at-home treatment, and even use over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
If you want instant teeth whitening, then it is better to visit your dentist and receive an in-office treatment. The dentist examines your teeth color and evaluates your oral health. After examination, the dentist recommends the best teeth whitening option for you.
In-office teeth whitening
For instant results, your dentist may recommend an in-office procedure, i.e., treatment within the dental office. In-office treatment is the best teeth whitening treatment for people with:
- Dental veneers placed over their teeth
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Stains or marks in the deeper tooth layers
The teeth whitening process
1. Preparation
For the best results, a dental hygienist cleans your teeth before the procedure. The dentist begins the process and applies a base layer gel over your gums to protect them from teeth whiteners. Some dentists also use a dental dam, i.e., a rubber-like shield for gums.
2. Whitening gel treatment
Once you are ready for the procedure, your dentist applies a bleaching or whitening gel to your teeth surface. The dentist leaves the gel on your teeth for 15 minutes to let it do its work. Usually, dentists use hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent.
The dentist applies the bleaching gel on your eight front teeth. He also uses a special light on the bleach to activate the oxygen for a better whitening effect. In the last step, your dentist removes the gel from your teeth.
3. Teeth-whitening kits for aftercare
Your dentist will give some at-home whitening products or a teeth-whitening kit to maintain your bright smile.
Dentist-prescribed at-home teeth whitening
If your teeth retain their natural shine completely or the stains are less noticeable, your dentist can recommend in-home treatments. The dentist will take impressions of your teeth to get custom whitening trays made for you.
Dentists usually recommend wearing the tray for a couple of hours a day or every night up to four weeks. Depending on the degree of your tooth discoloration, you might have to wear the tray for even longer period.
Over-the-counter products
Over-the-counter products also make your teeth whiter and brighter. However, it’s important to consult your dentist for the right teeth-whitening techniques. Also, follow the product’s instructions before using it on your teeth. Some of the best teeth-whitening OTC products include:
- Whitening rinses that prevent plaque and tartar buildup
- Teeth-whitening strips coated with whitening gel – you have to apply the strip on your teeth for two hours once a day.
- Some toothpastes also help to remove stains from the tooth surface
Who can have teeth whitening treatments?
You can transform your smile with teeth whitening treatments if you have mild to moderate tooth discoloration. Healthy teeth without fillings make you an ideal candidate to receive the teeth whitening treatment.
However, teeth whitening treatment is not a good option under certain circumstances. Discuss the other options with the dentist if you are.
- Pregnant or a lactating mom
- Under the age of 16
- Allergic to teeth bleaching or whitening agents
In addition, if you have cavities, periodontal disease, or increased dentin hypersensitivity then it is better to consider other teeth whitening techniques.
People with restorations, such as implants or crowns can go for teeth whitening treatments. However, your dentist can also recommend other treatments to lighten the shade of your teeth.
Final Words
While over-the-counter products are inexpensive, they do not guarantee the safety or the required result. However, you can get pearly white teeth with in-home teeth whitening procedure. Contact your Toronto dentist today for a stainless gleaming smile.
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