Are you conscious about your smile because your teeth aren’t white anymore?
Don’t worry!
You will be more willing to smile by the end of this article and probably fix an appointment with your Dentist Ottawa Downtown for a tooth whitening procedure right away.
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure for a quick, non-invasive way to enhance your smile. It is available in every budget as per the quality and temperament of the whitening treatment.
Your teeth may change their colour as you age. They can turn from sparkling white to a pale yellow or a brown or grey shade due to any of these reasons:
Age: As you age, the outer enamel of your teeth gets thin, uncovering the inner yellow layer.
Tobacco: Tar and nicotine present in tobacco are the main culprits behind tooth stains.
Food: Food with high sugar content and beverages like coffee and tea can stain your teeth over a while.
Trauma: Any injury to your teeth can break the enamel and uncover the darker layer under it.
Medications: Some medicines also cause teeth discolouration as their side effects.
Is whitening good for your teeth?
Yes, it is. Though it isn’t a permanent solution for tooth discoloration; people who take this treatment observe moderate to substantial improvement in their teeth colour and brightness of their smile.
Let’s first understand teeth whitening.
Like you bleach a fabric to remove stain from it, dentists use tooth bleaches such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains from your teeth. These bleaches dilute the colour concentration on your teeth to make it lighter and look brighter.
Hold on!
Whitening is a good option, but it doesn’t work on all colours. A yellow tooth will probably respond well to bleaching, but a brown or grey one may not. Therefore, it is important to consult professionals like Orleans Dental Clinic to understand if whitening will work on your teeth or not.
Your dentist will offer you the following whitening options after carefully examining your teeth.
Whitening toothpaste: These kinds of toothpaste contain abrasive agents that remove stains from your teeth. They are safe to use as they don’t bleach your teeth to change the colour. They work well as a stain removal solution.
Always go for an ADA approved whitening toothpaste.
Bleaching: Your dentist will use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach your coloured tooth. The dentist will cover your gums with a protective gel or a rubber shield before applying the bleach to your teeth.
This procedure generally requires one visit to the dentist.
Your dentist can also give you instructions to carry a whitening procedure at home. Depending on your preferences and comfort, you can choose to do it yourself under your dentist’s guidance.
Over-the-counter solutions: Consult with your dentist before choosing an OTC product like a whitening toothpaste or bleaching strips etc. These products may not be as effective in removing stains as a dental procedure. Also, always look for an ADA seal on any OTC dental solution before purchasing it.
