Everything you need to Know about Teeth Whitening

A discolored tooth is a common problem affecting most people. It can be something you are born with, or it develops with time. Brushing and flossing daily can keep your teeth bright, whiter, and healthier, but they may get discolored to either gray, brown, or yellow with time. A study conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists found out that approximately 90 percent of patients request tooth whitening procedures.

Tooth whitening is mainly done for cosmetic reasons, so it is essential to see a dentist to know the suitable options for you. The good thing is the stains can be reversed, making the restoration of your smile worthwhile.

Causes of tooth discoloration

Discolored or stained teeth can be caused by either dental health issues or lifestyle habits. They include the following:

• Drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco
• Take in a lot of beverages such as coffee or tea
• Age can also cause your enamel to wear off with time
• Consuming high amounts of simple sugars and carbohydrates
• Some medication or mouthwash side effects
• Dry mouth
• Poor oral hygiene practices
• Genetics
• Trauma to the mouth
• An environment with high levels of fluoride in water can cause your teeth to discolor.

How does Teeth Whitening work?

Teeth whitening is a straightforward process, and the products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide bleach. These bleaches break the satins in too small, making the color less concentrated, leaving your teeth brighter.

Teeth whitening does not work for all teeth; therefore, it is important to seek our dentist’s advice in Mississauga. The dentist will check your type of discoloration before deciding on the teeth whitening product. This is because yellow teeth will respond to the whitening products, brown not very well, while teeth with gray stains will not change. Whitening will also not work on dental appliances such as veneers, caps, fillings, or crowns. It will also not work on any discoloration caused by an injury or medications

Types of Teeth Whitening Options

The following are available teeth whitening options that will help you have your healthy smile
back.

• Stain Removal Toothpaste

All kinds of toothpaste have mild abrasives that scrub your teeth and removes surface stains; some of the toothpaste also have polishing agents safe for your teeth and provide effective stain removal. They do not change the color of your teeth as they remove the surface stains.

• In-office bleaching

It is also called chairside bleaching and only requires one visit to a teeth whitening near you. The dentist will either put a rubber shield to protect your gums or apply a gel that protects your gums. Bleach is then applied to your teeth to remove any stains or discoloration.

It can also be a zoom teeth whitening where a zoom advanced power chairside lamp is used to speed the bleaching process. It activates 25 percent hydrogen peroxide and breaks it down. Oxygen, therefore, enters the dentin and enamel and bleaches the stained substances.

• Home Bleaching from your dentist

Your dentist will provide you with a set of custom-made trays that you can use at home to whiten your teeth. The tray comes with instructions on how you are supposed to place the tray’s bleaching solution and the amount of time. This option is preferred by those who want to whiten their teeth at home at a slower pace. This procedure takes a few days or months to show results.

• Over the counter bleaching products

Some of the bleaching products may be available online or in your local grocery shop, for example, toothpaste or bleaching strips. They may be less concentrated compared to those advised by your dentist. You will need to consult your dentist first before using these products so that they can confirm if they are safe and acceptable for use.

Home Remedies for teeth whitening

Your dentist at our teeth whitening in Mississauga, ON, will advise you to use the following home remedies if you do not want a professional teeth whitening procedure:

• Oil pulling
• Use of baking soda
• Use of hydrogen peroxide paste
• Eat fruits and vegetables such as pineapples and strawberries
• Take plenty of calcium in your diet