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Yellow Teeth? Here is How Teeth Whitening Works

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A tooth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure where stains and discoloration are removed from the teeth to restore their natural color. Many factors can cause discoloration of the enamel (thin outer covering of the teeth).

Majorly, these include lifestyle habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco, excess consumption of caffeine found in tea, coffee, or soda, and poor dental hygiene practices, like not brushing teeth regularly, skipping flossing, etc.

Other factors like aging or genetics can also influence the discoloration of teeth. You can consult a cosmetic dentist in Malden, MA, to learn more about the treatment for teeth whitening and its benefits.

The process of teeth whitening:

There are two main methods of teeth whitening – professional treatment by a dentist or teeth-whitening at home. In both cases, the products used in the treatment will be either bleach-based or non-bleach whitening items.

The process of teeth whitening through a dentist has various steps:

  1. The dentist may conduct a preliminary exam of the teeth to determine the exact type of treatment you require. This may include an oral examination or other tests like x-rays. At this stage, the dentist also checks the health of your gums and any other damage like cavities.
  2.  After the dentist decides your treatment, they will clean the teeth. It involves a deep cleaning of the layer of plaque that forms on the enamel, which gives the teeth a stained look.
  3. The dentist then proceeds to cover your gums to protect them and also uses a protective shield for your lips and tongue to protect them. Then they apply a tooth-whitening agent to the teeth. Usually, these products contain around 25%-40% of hydrogen peroxide, the main ingredient for whitening.
  4. Some whitening agents require heat therapy for effectiveness. The dentist may combine a special light or laser treatment with the whitening agent for better results.
  5. You may repeat the procedure at regular intervals with reapplication of the whitening agent and use of heat.
  6. If your teeth are badly stained, the dentist may recommend you to continue this process at home. For this, the dentist will make a mold of your teeth and custom-design whitening trays for you so you can repeat the process yourself.

Teeth-whitening systems that you can use yourself also come in various kinds. You can purchase these products over-the-counter. These are available in toothpaste, gel, mouthwash, strips, and trays.

Since these are purchased by people themselves and used at home, it is imperative to maintain discretion and safety since they contain a certain percentage of bleaching agents. Unregulated use can cause damage to the teeth and gums.