Take a second look at all those beautiful people up there in fashion magazines and on television. What strikes you are those brilliant smiles-gleaming white teeth. Sparkling white teeth send out a message of good health and good grooming.They also make you look youthful and fun to talk to.
Yellowed discolored teeth have been a cause for concern since centuries. People have always desired whiter teeth. Early attempts were made in this direction in 2000BC by the Egyptians. They used powdered pumice stone and vinegar and brushed on Chewsticks made commonly out of neem and other medicated barks of wood. The first “professional” tooth whiteners were barbers! About a century ago, in 1884, Hydrogen peroxide was first recognized as a safe way to whiten teeth.
Today tooth whitening is a precise professional procedure guided and aided by the dentist. The method used for whitening teeth are by several ways but the chief agent is still Hydrogen peroxide in concentration of 5-50%. The most important part of successful tooth whitening is to establish the cause of the discoloration. Why do teeth get discoloured?
Overtime, there is a natural build up of pigments which are mostly yellow or orange in foods like turmeric and wines. Food colouring products also add to the problem. If the natural surface of the tooth is not very smooth, these stains tend to accumulate very quickly. At other times the inherent nature of the enamel may be of a rough texture or have some abnormality. Injuries to teeth are also very common. When a tooth is injured, the blood clots inside the tooth and discolours the same. The tooth could then appear brown or grey. Lifestyle also plays a role. Smoking, coffee and tea cause teeth to appear darker. If you are taking medication for a chronic health problem over prolonged period of time your teeth could change colour. Ageing wears down the enamel, rendering it thinner and more brown.
Whatever the cause, modern dentistry today offers a variety of procedures to almost everyone who wishes to brighten their smile safely, simply and effectively.
Heres how:
Dental Office Whitening: The dental office procedure, also called “Power Bleaching”, uses a technique that can lighten the teeth in the clinic in an hour. If the stains are darker, 2-3 sessions may be required. A concentration of 30-50% Hydrogen peroxide and the process is speeded up by higher energy light or laser. The process of whitening is a simple oxidation reaction where the stained organic molecules in the teeth lose their colour because their bonds are broken in the process. The use of light in the dental clinic speeds up the process. The latest and perhaps the most promising, because it promises instant and long lasting results has now been focused on the patented “Brite Smile”.
The Brite Smile Professional Teeth Whitening system has been named to “Dentistry Today’s 15th Annual list of Top 100 New Products in dentistry. The system which takes 1 hour to complete found an average of 5-6 shades lighter than the original colour.
BriteSmile pioneered today’s teeth whitening practices by spearheading a breakthrough patented blue-light technology called The BriteSmile Whitening System. Our state-of-the-art BriteSmile Whitening System is quick, effective and gently delivers a naturally brilliant smile. Consider this, in as little as 1 hour, a professional BriteSmile Teeth Whitening experience can yield a brilliant & healthy smile that will last for years. Now that is breakthrough.
After 1,50,000 whitening procedures they have developed the system so suitable for people from 14 years and above. It has been found to be safe and effective and the most popular today.
Home bleaching: This is a very popular though slower method of lightening your teeth. It may take 4-6 weeks and may have to be repeated. An appliance is made in the clinic- this is a thin plastic splint. The splint or tray, as it is called, is filled with bleached gel and worn overnight. There are options to wear it for a couple of hours during the day or overnight. The longer the contact of the teeth with the gel the faster the actions. The gel used is Carbamide peroxide which allows for the slow release of Hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent on to your teeth. This works best for people who have stained teeth. The colored substances in your tooth which get most easily bleached or lightened are the yellow, orange or brown stains.
It is important to understand that the cause and nature of your discolored tooth establishes the outcome. Sometimes Power Bleaching in the office has to be combined with Home Bleaching. In between these sessions, maintenance and follow-up may be necessary. The tooth whiteners now available are absolutely safe when monitored by the dentist. Sometimes you may experience a temporary sensitivity to temperature changes and irritation at the gum line. All these wear-off within a week.
Whatever the method you follow, the outcome is a promise of a more confident you. You are worth it!
