Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure. Via this, the teeth of a given person become whiter by several shades or degrees. Teeth whitening can be done at home as well as in the dental clinic.

How is teeth whitening done?

Teeth whitening is done at the dental clinic in the following manner: First and foremost, the teeth are prepped up. A whitening gel or paste is applied to the teeth. A laser beam is passed through the teeth. This is at a given frequency for a given duration of time. Due to this, the gel or paste gets activated and then it sort of gets “glued” onto the teeth, thereby whitening them by several grades. However, a point to be noted is that teeth whitening is not a permanent solution to the problem of stained teeth. Re-staining of teeth can happen if the person does not follow good oral hygiene habits.

Teeth whitening can also be done at home. This is with the use of whitening trays. These are manufactured in the dental laboratory after taking the imprint of the gums and teeth. These trays are taken home and smeared with a whitening gel or paste. They are then worn over the teeth for a given number of hours each day for a given number of days. Slowly, the teeth begin to whiten. This too is not a permanent solution to the issue of stained teeth.

How else can teeth be whitened?

Teeth can be whitened with the use of several over-the-counter products like whitening gums and toothpaste. The whitening gum is chewed on for a given duration, and due to the whitening substance in it, it does whiten the teeth. However, this too is not a permanent solution to this problem.

What works the best is that the patient takes very good care of his or her teeth after they are whitened. For this, he or she should brush the teeth at least twice daily for at least two minutes each time. It is best for him or her to brush the teeth each time after consuming any food or drink. If this is not possible, then the patient should at least rinse his or her mouth thoroughly well each time. Also, dental flossing at least once a day is highly recommended. Also, it is best to follow good diet patterns. For instance, one should limit the intake of tea, coffee and drinks like red wine to prevent teeth re-staining. Also, eating food items like beet root will also cause re-staining. Also, too much of smoking or taking in of nicotine-related products has a wrong consequence on the oral health of the tooth or teeth. Sometimes, if the teeth are badly stained, one can even opt for placing veneers on the front surface of the tooth or teeth or even have them fully covered up with the placement of root caps or crowns to cover up the entire surface of the tooth or teeth.

For details contact: 72 Pottstown Pike, Suite 103, Chester Springs, PA 19425. Call: (610) 458-5165.