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What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a process of lightening and brightening discoloured teeth to make them look clean and healthy. Teeth are cleaned and polished to remove stains and look white by various methods ranging from simple whitening toothpastes, gels, rinses, strips, trays to whitening products which are done professionally at a dentist’s office.
Your teeth light up your smile and enhance your personality. Everyone finds clean, white teeth attractive and you make a better impression on people when your teeth look good.
You may want to have your teeth whitened:
- If they have got discoloured, either due to internal causes – damage to the dentin, which is the inner layer of your tooth, or external causes – staining of the enamel from smoking, or drinking wine, cola or coffee.
- To brighten your smile and look more pleasing aesthetically.
Risk Factors:
The following factors increase the risk of discolouration of teeth:
- Age: as you grow older, there is a natural deterioration of the enamel as well as the dentin, which causes teeth to look yellowish or grey.
- Smoking: tobacco, especially from cigarettes causes stains, which show even in the grooves of the tooth enamel.
- Drinking coffee, cola or wine: regular consumption of coffee, cola and wine cause teeth to yellow over time.
- Medicines: a high exposure to fluoride during early childhood or intake of tetracycline has been found to cause discolouration of teeth.
Tooth whitening is not recommended for persons having gum disease or worn enamel. If tooth roots are exposed or cavities left untreated, the whitening solution can penetrate into the inner areas of the tooth and cause further damage. Whitening agents do not work on veneers, crowns, fillings or restorations – this could result in uneven whitening. Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect of teeth whitening.
Signs & Symptoms:
You should consider teeth whitening if you observe the following signs:
- Stains on the enamel which could include white streaks, yellow or brown spots, and pits.
- Changes in the colour of the enamel or darkening of the teeth.
- Dentin getting exposed and causing teeth to appear yellowish.
Diagnosis:
Before administering a teeth whitening treatment, the dentist at Medcare will conduct the following diagnostics:
- An oral health assessment
- A discussion of your requirements and instructions
- Dental prophylaxis that involves teeth cleaning and plaque removal
Treatment Options:
Teeth whitening may appear to be a very easy process but it needs to be done under the supervision of an expert dentist. If it is not carried out by a professional, it may cause sensitivity of the teeth and irritation to the gums. The process involves the following steps:
- The dentist will apply whitening gel with a concentration of peroxide to your teeth. In some time, the gel will break apart the bonds between stained molecules, cleaning up your teeth dramatically. A high-power light that activates the gel will facilitate the oxygen to permeate your teeth completely.
- To achieve a brighter effect, the dentist may opt for laser teeth whitening.
- Repeated sittings may be required at intervals, as prescribed by the specialist.
Visit the Dental Clinic at Medcare to know more about our teeth whitening offers.
FAQs:
الأسئلة الشائعة:
Inclusions:
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Why is it necessary to clean the teeth before whitening?
A: With time, food particles and other debris get accumulated around your teeth and gums. That is what we see as yellow or brownish discolouration over the inner and outer side of teeth. If we perform teeth whitening over uncleaned teeth, its effects will not be as successful as they would be on cleaned teeth.
Do not skip teeth cleaning before whitening as the results could be disappointing. Book an appointment with a Medcare Dental Specialist today.
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What is the difference between do-it-yourself whitening and a professional whitening treatment done by a dentist?
A: The advantages of a professionally done whitening treatment are higher safety, reliability and better results. Your dentist will first screen you for oral health issues, and will not administer a whitening treatment if you have problems. When you use a whitening kit at home, you may not realise that you have certain oral issues, and then the whitening treatment could cause you pain or damage.
You also get better results with a professional whitening treatment. Dentists use a higher concentration of the bleaching chemicals than the ones given in an over-the-counter kit. So your teeth will be many shades brighter after a professional sitting, rather than a home treatment.
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How can I prevent my teeth from staining after having them whitened?
A: You should try to avoid consuming foods and drinks that discolour teeth, in order to maintain the results of whitening. If you whiten your teeth too often, it could make them brittle and blue, so remember to use an antiseptic mouthwash regularly and floss them too. Stop smoking, as the longer you smoke, the more ingrained the stains become. If you can't find enough reasons to quit, think of your smile!
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When will I need to repeat the teeth whitening treatment?
A: The duration after which an individual chooses to repeat teeth whitening treatment varies a lot from person-to-person - from as soon as one month, to a year or longer. If you consume foods and drinks that stain your teeth, then you are likely to feel the need for a touch-up or another whitening quite soon.
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Is there a chance that whitening may damage my fillings and crowns?
A: Whitening does not damage fillings, bridges or crowns. One thing that you should remember is that the whitening process does not modify the colour of these restorations. So if these are affecting your appearance, you may need to speak with your dentist about matching their colour to your whitened teeth.
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How long does teeth whitening last?
A: Most of my patients ask me this question, and I always tell them that post-treatment care is key. Teeth whitening is known to last for up to three years, but it depends on your consumption of pigmented food and beverages, which are absorbed by the pores in your teeth. Depending on their doctor's recommendation, some patients also opt for annual or semi-annual sessions.
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How can you make your teeth whitening last longer?
A: Apart from regular brushing and flossing, you should avoid certain foods and drinks that can stain the teeth such as tea, coffee, and sugary foods. Quitting smoking is also advisable as the tar and nicotine in cigarettes are sworn enemies of pearly white teeth. In addition to this, visit your dentist regularly for whitening touch-ups as this can keep your teeth looking white for a long time.
Give your confidence a boost with pearly white teeth. Book an appointment with Medcare Dental Specialist for teeth whitening today.
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How do dentists whiten teeth?
A: Professional bleaching is the most commonly used procedure for teeth whitening, but new techniques like laser teeth whitening are also equally effective.
First, the shade of your teeth is recorded. After this, your gums are covered with a rubber compound to protect them from the bleaching agent as it may irritate the soft tissue and then plaque is scrubbed off of the teeth. Finally, a high concentration of bleaching solution which usually contains some form of hydrogen peroxide is applied on the teeth.
How long the solution is left on the teeth depends on the desired shade or if it has completed the maximum time limit of 60 minutes. You may be asked to come in for a follow-up depending on the treatment and the desired shade.
Laser teeth whitening involves the same procedure, except that the teeth are exposed to a curing light or laser after application of bleaching solution. This accelerates the chemical reaction and whitening process.
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What to avoid after teeth whitening?
A: The results of teeth whitening usually last for up to three years, but may be shorter if you do not take proper care. It is important to remember that this isn't restricted to just brushing and flossing. You also have to make a few lifestyle changes.
Avoiding food and drinks that can re-stain your teeth is crucial. So, cut down the consumption of things such as coffee, tea, red wine and other dark-coloured foods and beverages. And if you consume tobacco in any form, it is best to quit as the tar and nicotine present in it can cause your whitened teeth to get discoloured again.
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What can you do to keep your teeth white?
A: Proper oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing post every meal and before bedtime can extend the results of your teeth whitening treatment. Along with this, regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and top-up whitening sessions is a must.
If you too wish for those pearl white teeth, book an appointment with Medcare Dental Specialist today.
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Should you get your teeth cleaned before whitening?
A: The teeth whitening procedure involves several steps to achieve the best results. Teeth cleaning is one of the steps that precede the teeth whitening procedure as it removes the accumulated plaque and tartar.
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Why is it best to get teeth whitened by a professional?
A: Professional teeth whitening kits have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, making them more effective than over the counter (OTC) whitening kits. The results achieved are also drastically different as professional treatment can give up to 8 times whiter teeth. OTC kits also carry the risk of blisters and increased teeth sensitivity, which can be prevented if you choose to go to a professional.
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How can professional teeth whitening help?
A: In most of the cases, teeth whitening is very effective, especially if discolouration is caused by excessive intake of tea, coffee, red wine, curries, tobacco consumption, ageing and trauma. There are many procedures available, such as professional bleaching, zoom teeth whitening, laser teeth whitening, or 'power whitening' that you can choose from.
For quick, better and longer-lasting teeth whitening results, visit Medcare Dental specialist for professional teeth whitening.
