The Shiny Truth Behind Teeth Whitening
The process of teeth whitening is an easy and effective way to get that sparkling, toothpaste commercial smile. It is now becoming common practice for people to add this to their wish list when they visit the dentist for their regular check-up.
But while it is increasing in popularity, many people still ask what the benefits and process behind your basic teeth whitening procedure are.
Can anyone have this process done, and should it be done by a professional or will a home kit give you the same results?
While there are many ways to go about improving your smile, teeth whitening is one of the least expensive and easiest way to do this.
The Benefits
With time, teeth tend to discolour no matter how well you take care of them, and one can add to this by smoking, certain food and beverages as well as some medication. Sometimes even the most diligently brushed and flossed teeth need a little helping hand!
Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and quickest ways of improving your smile without damaging or removing healthy teeth.
The Process of Teeth Whitening
While you can buy teeth whitening kits at any pharmacy and in most supermarkets, the procedure carried out in your dentist’s chair is a different one entirely. In fact, over the counter teeth whitening kits can cause dental issues if done incorrectly.
Your dentist will likely offer a variety of options for teeth whitening and will make suggestions based on how bad the discolouration is. Some of the most popular options for teeth whitening are zoom whitening; home-based bleaching kits, strip and gels and whitening toothpaste.
Zoom Whitening
Zoom whitening is a quick and effective way to get maximum effect with a single visit. After the whitening gel is applied, a white speed lamp is used to activate the process, and teeth will be noticeably whiter by the end.
With Zoom whitening, you also have the added benefit of home whitening trays supplied to help get your teeth even whiter and enable you to top up the whitening when you need to.
Home Whitening
Many home kits can lead to disappointing results, so consider asking your dentist for a recommendation on which one to use. While they are a cheaper option, they often require multiple applications until you achieve your desired results.
However, some home whitening kits are a great option and when done by a professional can give you the same result as the Zoom.
An excellent home/dentist option is Enlighten.
This process consists of a 2-week treatment which is performed at home, followed by a short dental visit to complete the procedure. (Ask our team for more information on Enlighten Whitening Treatment.)
Can Anyone Have Their Teeth Whitened?
Having your teeth whitened is a simple and painless procedure, and has minimal to no effects on the enamel or structure of your teeth. There is the risk of your teeth being more sensitive after the treatment, but again this is minimal to none.
Patients with existing restorations or crowns should be aware that whitening treatments will have no effect on the colour of these, working only on ‘real’ teeth. Therefore, there may be a need to replace crowns or veneers to maintain a nice even colour after the procedure is complete.
Did you know: As an alternative to teeth whitening, some have opted for a full set of veneers for a truly uniform, permanently white smile.
As with any procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, if you have any medical conditions you should discuss these with your dentist prior to the procedure and they can advise you further on the safety of having your teeth whitened. However, for most people, the process of teeth whitening is completely safe and highly beneficial to have done.
Just remember that after having your teeth whitening procedure, it does not mean you get to give up your daily brushing and flossing routine – keep looking after that sparkling smile!
Please do contact our friendly team at Shine Dental Clinic on 01420 550616 if you would like any advice on teeth whitening or any other aspect of your dental care.
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