How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Your smile is often the first impression people get from you, and having teeth whitening can help you feel more confident and secure in your appearance. If your teeth are less than white, you may have considered teeth whitening in order to improve your teeth’s appearance and brightness. The following is a guide to how teeth whitening works and whether or not it may be the right option for you.

What Makes Teeth Less than White?

First, it’s important to discuss what can make your teeth less than white. There are many factors that go into your teeth’s whiteness; the following are the most significant factors that can make your teeth less white.

• Age. Over time, the enamel on your teeth will naturally wear down; this causes your teeth to become less white over time. 
• Stains. Your teeth can be stained by certain foods and beverages, such as soda, coffee, tea and even certain vegetables such as beets. 
• Smoking. If you are a smoker, your teeth can become yellowed due to the components of cigarette smoke.
• Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, your teeth may become less white due to damage to your enamel as well as the development of tooth decay.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

No matter what type of whitening technique you use, there are two primary ways that tooth whitening works: bleaching and non-bleaching methods.

Bleaching your teeth involves using chemicals to change your teeth’s colour through bleaching treatments, which may be performed in a dental office or with at-home trays. If your teeth are bleached through whitening treatments, it will typically take several treatment sessions to achieve the look that you want for your teeth. Bleaching treatments in a dentist’s office can include light-activated whitening treatments as well as custom-made trays; at-home treatments can include over the counter products as well as custom kits created by your dentist.

Non-bleaching treatments work by removing surface stains on your teeth. Non-bleaching procedures include professional teeth cleanings, as well as using toothpaste that works via mild abrasion.

Is It Safe?

Overall, yes: teeth whitening is safe.  However, it is important to work with your dentist on a teeth whitening plan due to the fact that not everyone responds the same way to teeth whitening treatments. If you have sensitive teeth, cavities or other problems with your teeth, then your teeth may not respond well to certain types of treatments. Your dentist may recommend certain whitening treatments over others depending on the state of your teeth. It is generally recommended that you choose in-office treatments or dentist-approved kits rather than generic over the counter products, especially if you have never had your teeth whitened before and you aren’t sure how your teeth are going to react to the treatments.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

If you want to have a whiter smile that gives you more confidence when you look in the mirror, then contact Oxford Family Dental about potential teeth whitening treatments today.