Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic teeth whitening is one of the safest and most common procedures that improve the aesthetics of a smile and restore teeth to their former glory, if it takes place under the supervision of experienced dentists.
Therefore, in this article from Opal Dental Clinics, we will discuss the reasons that affect the color of the teeth and cause their pigmentation, and the methods of teeth whitening, while highlighting the ways to preserve the results of the whitening sessions.
Causes of tooth discoloration
First – Age
There is a direct link between the color of the teeth and age. The stains accumulated on the teeth, so the results of whitening become immediate with the teenagers, while you need to make an effort in the twenties, and more effort in the forties and as the age advances.
Secondly – Nature of the color of the teeth
Each person has an innate tooth color that is different from the other. There are yellow teeth and others are brown or greenish-gray. The intensity of this color increases over time. When subjected to bleaching, the yellow-brown color response is higher than the greenish-grey color.
Third – Thickness and transparency of the teeth
The thickness and transparency of the teeth is controlled by the genetic factor, and it becomes clearer with age, making it look dull and less shiny. And “transparency” according to dentists is the only problem that cannot be corrected by any of the teeth whitening techniques.
Fourth – Eating habits
Habitual consumption of certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate leads to staining of the teeth, the effect of which increases over time.
Acidic foods such as oranges, lemons, and vinegar also contribute to the erosion of enamel over time, thus reducing the thickness of the teeth, which leads to yellowing and staining.
Fifth – Smoking
Smoking is one of the common causes of pigmentation and yellowing of the teeth. However, nicotine leaves residues that slowly seep into the structure of the teeth and cause a change in their internal color, and here whitening is the perfect solution to restore the natural color of the tooth.
Sixth – Excessive consumption of fluoride
Excessive consumption of fluoride leads to what is called “fluorosis”, where pale white spots appear on the teeth, which later turn brown or gray.
Methods of cosmetic teeth whitening
There is more than one way to whiten teeth, all of which depend on the use of peroxide with different concentrations and varying duration of application according to each case.
1- Chemical teeth whitening
Chemical whitening procedures are applied in dental clinics using a safe percentage of peroxide gel, after placing a rubber dam to protect the gums from the effects of the chemicals used in cleaning.
The peroxide is placed on the teeth for periods ranging between 15 and 20 minutes, and in some cases up to an hour at most, while an additional session or more is applied for cases that suffer from severe pigmentation, or they may be asked to apply certain procedures at home.
2- Laser teeth whitening
Laser teeth whitening is one of the latest methods of removing pigmentation in the teeth, in which the doctor puts the whitening gel on the teeth, then directs the laser to it, which leads to heating the gel; It activates the whitening properties and changes the stain particles on the teeth.
However, this process takes from 30 to 60 minutes inside the dental clinic, and it is recommended to perform 3 to 4 sessions in total in order to obtain the best results.
3- Teeth whitening at home
It is possible to professionally whiten teeth at home, by using home whitening kits that achieve the best long-term results, under the supervision of a dentist.
This method of teeth whitening relies on placing a quantity of low-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth for an hour or more twice a day, using specially made whitening trays similar to mouth guards.
How do you maintain the results of cosmetic teeth whitening?
In order for the teeth whitening process to succeed, you must follow the following instructions:
- Avoid dark foods and drinks during whitening sessions, and for a week after they are over.
- Dark colored drinks such as cola are best sipped with a straw.
- Maintain oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing after meals and at bedtime.
In nutshell, by performing cosmetic teeth whitening in the clinic or even at home under the supervision of a doctor, you can achieve a bright smile and a healthy and attractive dental appearance.
At Opal Dental Clinics in Istanbul, we use effective and safe methods of teeth whitening, using the latest technology, through which we achieve whiter teeth in the long run.
If you have any pigmentation on the teeth, contact us today, and book the appointment that suits you with the most qualified doctors specializing in cosmetic dentistry in Turkey, to start the first teeth whitening sessions at Opal Dental Clinics.
Edited by: Opal Dental Clinics©
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