By Marla Mills


There are a number of reasons that contribute to tooth discoloration or staining over the years. Examples include levels of oral hygiene, the intake of certain medications and eating habits. Stained teeth can be bleached to improve their appearance. The teeth bleaching procedure involves the utilization of oxidizing agents like carbamide peroxide to bleach them.

Tooth whitening can also be performed by utilizing a special gel that is put into a flexible tray. A person needs to wear the custom tray in his or her mouth for a certain period. The tray is then removed and a second whitening agent in addition to a special light is used to activate the chemical reaction. The whitening agent reacts with the enamel of teeth and oxidizes the stain deposits in the process.

Bleaching becomes effective after the whitening procedure is performed repeatedly since this allows the bleach to sink into the dentine layer. It gets rid of stains and discoloration and this helps patients get a dazzling white smile. There are two main ways to perform this procedure. One method involves the use of an oxidizing agent which is applied to the dentine layer and then flushed away after some time.

Generally, dentists utilize a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide equivalent to bleach teeth. This whitening method is effective and fast but it involves some risks. The main risk is that it is possible for the whitening agent to damage soft tissues in the mouth. However, since the dentist will supervise the procedure, you should not worry much that you will suffer soft tissue damage because this may not happen.

The other whitening method involves placing a thin strip which holds the whitening agent directly on teeth. Dentists do not remove this strip right away. They let their patients retain it for a period ranging from a few hours to a few days. Even though this method takes a while, it is much safer because there is a reduced risk of damage taking place on soft tissue.

Certain stains such as those caused by the long term use of antibiotics such as tetracycline may take time to respond to whitening procedures. In such a case, a dentist will recommend that you undergo a number of whitening procedures to allow the bleach to get into the dentine layer. Newly introduced tooth bleaching procedures utilize light to enhance the whitening effect of bleach.

Tooth whitening procedures are effective in eliminating stains and discoloration but the results vary from person to person. Tooth sensitivity can increase after you undergo the procedure. For this reason, it is wise for you to avoid drinking very cold or hot beverages a few hours after the procedure. Your dentist may recommend that you undergo a fluoride treatment to reduce sensitivity.

Teeth bleaching services are usually not covered by typical dental insurance. If you cannot afford to visit the office of a dentist to undergo the procedure, you can choose to utilize tooth whitening kits. They are available at drug stores and you can easily use them at home. They are just as effective as the whitening procedures performed by professionals. However, these kits take about a week to work.




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