Everything You Need to Know about Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a simple cosmetic dental treatment that can completely transform your smile. There are many reasons that can cause tooth discolouration. The most common of them are smoking, food (coffee and sodas), poor oral hygiene, and aging. Regardless of the nature of the stains, this cosmetic treatment can improve the colour of your teeth greatly. This treatment can be performed by professionals or by using specialized at-home whitening kits. Each option has its benefits.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Dentists use specialized professional solutions to whiten your teeth fast. These treatments are the most effective. In-office whitening can produce truly dramatic results and make your teeth 6-8 shades lighter.

Depending on the type of the solution and other tools used by your dentist, you may require several whitening sessions (usually last 30-60 minutes) or get the  best result in a single session (takes about 2 hours). The second option will be more expensive.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Solutions

There are a variety of whitening treatments available in stores and online. They include:

• Whitening strips
• Teeth whitening gels
• Tray-based tooth bleaching systems
• Toothpastes

Each of these solutions offers different efficiency degrees. Note that an at-home tooth bleaching solution will never provide as thorough of a whitening effect as professional treatments.

Speak to Your Dentist First

Regardless of whether you decide to get in-office whitening or want to use some at-home solutions, you should consult your dentist first. A medical professional will be able to help you choose the right treatment for your exact type of discolouration.

In addition, you need to understand that sometimes whitening may harm you. For example, people suffering from chronic tooth sensitivity should use only specialized mild whitening solutions. This treatment must be performed by a professional to reduce the risk of damaging your enamel and gums.

Post-Whitening Care

To keep your teeth pearly white after the treatment, you should avoid consuming foods and drinks that stain your teeth. Tea, coffee, candy, tomatoes, and berries cause discolourations and should be avoided completely for a few days after the treatment. Use a straw when drinking to reduce staining from sodas and juices.

Smoking is another common reason of teeth discolouration. Some professionals suggest whitening your teeth to facilitate breaking this habit as seeing your beautiful smile will motivate you to abstain from smoking.

Teeth whitening is a very popular and efficient treatment that can make you look younger and more attractive. Professional whitening is more expensive, but it’s much more effective than at-home kits and carries fewer risks. You can keep your teeth white for longer after the treatment if you avoid foods that cause stains and quit smoking.