More and more consumers are paying for brighter, whiter teeth. But does whitening work and is it safe? Here are responses to basic concerns about the procedure.
What is teeth whitening?
Whitening requires bleaching the teeth to make them lighter. It cannot turn them whitish, so it will lighten the current color by many shades.
Who can do teeth whitening?
whitening is a form of dentistry which can only be done by a dentist or other certified dental practitioner, such as dental specialist, depending on a dentist’s recommendation.
Any beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is unlawful if there is no dentist present, because it can place your oral health at risk. You may also purchase home teeth whitening kits, but they can also face threats.
What occurs during teeth whitening?
When your teeth are whitened, you will need to make multiple oral surgery appointments over the span of two months. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and make a mouthguard and instruct you how to do it for the whitening gel. Then, using the mouthguard at home, you apply the gel daily for a fixed amount of time of 2 to 4 weeks. Some whitening gels can be left in for up to 8 hours at a time, which shortens the therapy duration to one week.
Laser whitening, also known as effective whitening, is another form of whitening device that a dentist can have. The whitening paste is coated on your teeth and then a light or laser is focused on them to enable the whitening. Laser bleaching takes about an hour.
Will any dentist whiten teeth?
Any dentist can whiten teeth as long as they are licensed with the General Dental Board. Registered dental practitioners and dental hygienists will administer whitening with a prescription from a dentist.
How are kitchen products and beauty salons for teeth whitening?
Just go to a licensed dentist for whitening because bleaching by unqualified individuals, for example in beauty salons, is illegal. Home kits often bear certain threats.
What are the dangers of kitchen equipment and teeth whitening?
Some home kits do not contain enough bleaching product to be successful. Even, if the dental professional may not do bleaching, the mouthguard given does not work correctly, so some of the whitening gel may leak into the gums and mouth, creating sores and sensitivity.
How do I know how to whiten my teeth?
Your dentist will inform you if whitening is correct for you. Whitening cannot be acceptable, for example whether you have gum disease or crowns.
What do I ask the dentist before proceeding?
Don’t be afraid to ask basic questions about the kinds of whitening therapies available, the affects you can achieve and whether they are foolproof over a given amount of time. You will also want to ask them if there are any risks involved – for example, increasing the sensitivity of your teeth. Try to speak to other people who have received the same care or find another dentist to get a second opinion before you feel secure. Still ask for a formal recovery schedule and a pricing forecast before going forward.
Is whitening permanent?
Whitening is not permanent. It can last from a few months to 3 years and ranges from person to person. The whitening effect would not last for long whether you smoke or drink a lot of tea or coffee, which can color your teeth.
Will whitening work on fake teeth?
Whitening does not work on dentures, crowns, fillings, or veneers.
What are the risks of teeth whitening?
Regardless of the drug you take, there is a possibility that your gums are vulnerable to the chemicals used in whitening, especially if you already have sensitive teeth. There is also a possibility of causing burns to the gums, and some whitening devices used at home may damage tooth enamel.