Image is everything nowadays, and a beautiful smile is the key to that image. Most people won’t notice if your clothes are a little worn or if your hair is out of place. However, everyone will notice if your teeth are not bright and shiny. For that reason, teeth whitening has become one of the most commonly requested dental cosmetic procedures today. A simple one-hour procedure that is capable of turning back the clock and removing years of smoking and coffee stains. However, some people are still skeptical, asking “Is it safe to whiten your teeth?” Or, they’ll ask, “does teeth whitening work?” among other questions. Let us ease your mind. Keep reading for all the information you need about teeth whitening.
Who Needs Teeth Whitening?
Some people come into the clinic complaining that their teeth have become yellowish and stained after being white and shiny. That is mostly because of the stains that are deposited on the outside of the teeth from foods and drinks. Major culprits are, of course, coffee and tea.
Smoking is another issue. Tobacco and its substitutes can deposit a lot of stains and lead to the yellowing of teeth.
How is Teeth Whitening Done?
The first step is the removal of the external stains by brushing. A dental brush much like your own toothbrush with a paste are used to remove the top-level stains.
Next comes the phase of whitening the internal surfaces of the teeth using whitening gels. The gel is placed on the surface of the teeth and activated. This is either a chemical activation, with an LED light, or dental laser activation. Then, the gel is left for about 10 minutes per session. What that gel does is wash out the stains from the inner sides of the teeth. This gradually makes them as white as they used to be.
Is it Safe to Whiten Your Teeth, and Does it Work?
The issue of the safety of whitening is very understandable. After all, the gel penetrates the tooth to clean it from the inside. However, there is no reason to worry, as one of the key steps of the process is applying a Fluoride gel on the teeth after the procedure is done. The Fluoride closes all the pores and applies a protective layer on the surface of the teeth. You can be sure that it prevents any harm from being done.
As for effects, well the results speak for themselves. Some of our patients report having their teeth whitened up to 4 or 5 shades and some even more. All in all, teeth whitening is one of the safest and most effective methods to remove stains and get back your pearly whites. We’re here to help!
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