For those who are curious about teeth whitening, there are
many kinds out there as well as different opinions over the ones that work
best. While solid oral health routines and healthy diets are your best bet
regarding teeth whitening, this process may require a bit more than a simple
whitening toothpaste, especially for those over 50 years of age.
When people age, the teeth enamel’s outermost layers can
wear to the point of exposing the dentin, an underlying layer, which has a
yellower tint to it. Making matters all the more complicated are stains from
various drinks and foods as well as smoking or other tobacco use, thinning the
enamel at an accelerated rate.
To whiten “older” teeth, many at-home and in-office methods
are available. You can expect the best of the bunch to last between one and
three years, though this depends on your dental habits, eating and drinking
habits, and if you use tobacco. If you want to learn more, read our quick guide
below.
Laser Teeth Whitening
As can be expected from the name, laser whitening is only
performed by dental professionals. First, the teeth are cleaned in order to
remove plaque, and then a peroxide solution is spread over the teeth before a
laser light activates it. This process has more dramatic, faster results compared
to other whitening techniques, but it costs more as a result. Laser whitening
often involves just one visit, but another visit is occasionally required to
remove especially deep stains. It also should be noted the gums and teeth can
become more sensitive after this procedure, and it can even cause teeth to turn
gray if repeated too much.
Chemical Whitening
(with Dentist Supervision)
For chemical whitening, patients are custom-fit for teeth
whitening trays, which are then filled with a peroxide-based whitening gel. Dental
professionals then provide instructions for applying gel in the trays, the
number of days, and how long the gel can be on the teeth. According to some, this
whitening method may be the safest for two crucial reasons. For one, it’s
supervised by a professional, but the custom-fit trays are also less likely to
let the gel make contact with the gums.
OTC Whitening Kits
Most DIY whitening kits have low amounts of hydrogen
peroxide for bleaching the teeth, which means they often call for repeat
applications. These kits come in various forms, such as trays, strips, and
paint-on whiteners. Regarding strips, they wrap around teeth easily, but they sometimes
slip and end up touching the gums, causing irritation. DIY trays are filled
with peroxide gel before being placed on teeth, but, because these trays aren't
custom-fit, the gel may leak and touch the gums, leading to irritation.
As for paint-on whiteners, they allow users to choose precisely
which areas they would like to whiten. The issue, however, is most of these
whiteners don’t have guards for protecting the peroxide solution, meaning saliva
can easily wash it away. Some paint-on whiteners do come with built-in films
that slow down dissolution of the peroxide.
It’s generally agreed the process of whitening teeth is fairly
safe when performed by a dental professional. Many DIY kits are safe as well if
users follow the instructions closely, but caution should be taken, as the
chemicals can cause damage if used incorrectly.
Before starting any whitening treatment, you should consult
your dentist. If you would like to save as much as 20 percent on your dental visits,
consider signing up for one of our New Hampshire discount dental plans. For
more information on these plans for individuals, business owners, and families,
please click here.
Copyright: Kurhan
/ 123RF Stock Photo
