Teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after and popular dental procedures. It can remove the stains, teeth discoloration and brighten up your smile. The results are almost instantaneous. Almost all dental clinics provide some kind of teeth cleaning or teeth whitening procedure.
In fact, there are several over-the-counter whitening products you can find in pharmacies, like bleaching trays, whitening strips, and toothpaste. But, before you buy one such kit or rush to your dentist, it’s good to know a few facts related to teeth whitening.
Teeth Have Pores
The surface of human teeth is much like a sponge with countless pores according to this trustworthy dentist in Pasadena CA. They can hold and absorb liquid. That’s the reason why drinking dark beverages like coffee often lead to discoloration as it gets stuck into those pores. Over the course of several years, you start to lose the natural color of your teeth, and they become stained.
At times only dental treatments can remove that staining. Some home kits like teeth whitening gels may also work by pushing away these stains as they get locked into these pores.
Increased Sensitivity is Normal Post Teeth-Whitening
Sensitivity is a common issue that most people deal with. Many factors like damaged/cracked teeth, eroding of enamel, poor oral hygiene, and genetics can play a role. It’s normal that after a teeth whitening process, your sensitivity increases.
But, mind you, it’s only temporary. It should go away after 12-36 hours. It happens because your teeth lose hydration temporarily. Using a fluoride treatment after the procedure may promote rehydration.
Custom-fit Whitening Trays are More Costly
It’s a lot easier to create hundreds and thousands of standard trays that are one-size-fits-all. But, creating a custom one that is designed specifically for your teeth demands more time. It requires getting an impression of the teeth, sending it to the lab, and having it custom-made. That’s why it’s so complex and also much costlier.
Expect to shell anywhere close to $500 or more if you’re aiming for custom-fitted whitening trays.
You Cannot Whiten Veneers and Crows
The thing is, crowns and veneers are made with the kind of material which is resistant to any and all whitening treatments. Besides, when you go for dental restorations, most dentists would ensure that they match the natural color of your teeth during the time of treatment.
You should consider this before you go ahead and get your teeth whitened. It’s possible that you wind up with a mismatch of color between your restorations and newly treated teeth. This is another reason why you should prefer professional North York dentistry over home kits or DIY. Your doctor would advise you on how the final result will look. If needed, he might even offer some alternative treatment.
Teeth Whitening was Discovered by Accident
We all know that dentists use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. But have you ever thought about how the world came to know that peroxide can whiten teeth? The truth is, it was all an accident.
During the early days of dentistry, dentists would ask patients to use mouthwash for rinsing. Those mouthwashes contained hydrogen peroxide to fight off gum disease.
It was only a matter of time that the dentist started noticing the considerable difference in the teeth’ color before and after rinsing. And that’s how it came to be.
The Best Time for Teeth whitening is Right Before Bed
This may sound weird, but it’s actually effective. The thing is, right after the whitening treatment is over, the pores on your teeth become slightly more porous and receptive to staining.
That means anything you drink or eat has a better chance of locking into the pores and destaining them. But, when you have this treatment before bed, you give yourself an entire night for teeth to remineralize and rehydrate.
Plus, because you won’t be eating anything, it’s another way to discourage staining. To quicken the remineralization and rehydration, your dentist might suggest using a desensitizing gel infused with fluoride to replenish and nourish your teeth.
Teeth Whitening Results Are Temporary
Till now, we don’t have any whitening treatment that can yield permanent results. As already mentioned, because of the porous surface, your teeth will again begin to absorb all the foods and beverages you consume.
So unless you eat only lettuce, decolor foods, and drink only water, there’s no way the results are going to last forever. The results depend on how cautious you are with the foods you consume. But, expect thighs to go back to normal between six months to two years.
Bottom Line
Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and quickest ways to gain more confidence and flaunt a better smile. But, as discussed, the results are only temporary. With that said, it’s a dental procedure worth exploring.
