How to Use Teeth Whitening
Kits at Home
Tooth whitening is the process in which the natural shade of your teeth is lightened by a few shades without removing the enamel.
It can never make a complete colour change but many will notice a significant difference in the shade of their teeth. Only natural teeth can be whitened, if you have veneers, dentures or crowns they will need to be specially cleaned.
Very few people are born with naturally very white teeth. People choose to whiten their teeth for numerous reasons; some may have very yellow teeth due to stubborn food and drink stains especially beverages such as tea, age can affect not only the quality of teeth but also its appearance, smoking is also a big factor.
Poor oral hygiene can also cause yellowing of the teeth, such as a build up of tartar or calculus as it is sometimes known. Also certain medications, particularly antibiotics can contribute to staining even under the surface of the teeth.
Teeth whitening can be very lengthy and costly, especially when carried out professionally but there are cheaper alternatives that can be just as effective. There are a variety of teeth whiteners and home teeth whitening kits available although it is advised you thoroughly research the product before buying as some can be too high a strength to be used safely at home.
If you do choose to opt for professional tooth whitening, your dentist professional will be able to advise you whether your teeth are suitable and strong enough to undertake the process. There are a few exceptions where teeth whitening may not be suitable but in most instances it is generally suitable for most people.
The dentist will put a gel or rubber shield on your gums to protect the soft tissue then a whitening product is applied to the teeth with mouth trays adapted to fit the shape of your mouth similar to a gum shield. This process can take up to anything from 30-60 minutes.
The main ingredient in the teeth whitening product is Hydrogen peroxide or more commonly used nowadays Carbamide Peroxide. As the ingredient is broken down, the oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the teeth become lighter. A laser light shone directly onto the teeth can also used as a quicker way to speed up the chemical reaction and even lighter shades can be achieved but repeated applications may be required for optimum whiteness.
Home teeth whitening kits can be cheap, quick and give effective results, although most contain a variation of what is used in dental surgeries, make sure that the kit you are buying is approved by the British Dental Health Association.
Tooth whitening toothpastes are another option; these can be used to promote whiteness after a tooth whitening treatment as they do remove some staining, although they are rarely strong enough to make a considerable change.
