Different types of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a fairly common procedure undertaken by young and old people alike. Tooth discolouration is experienced by millions worldwide and it has increasingly become common for people to go ahead with a tooth whitening procedure if they feel their teeth is not shiny enough.

Your teeth might become yellow due to a medley of reasons. Aging, food habits, smoking, drinking, betel chewing and other external factors all contribute to the discolouration process.

Whatever be the reason, there are myriad options for teeth whitening available now ranging from over the counter gels to a proper inhouse dental procedure. Whilst the results vary depending on what type of whitening procedure you perform, in this article, let us talk about some common types of tooth whitening in detail:

• Traditional teeth whitening at the dental office – In this process, the dentist would examine the teeth with the help of X-Rays and evaluate the irregularities and discolouration before making a decision on the strategy. He/she may then consult with you on what colour you would like your teeth to be before starting on the procedure. Depending on the complication, it might even take a couple of months for the bleaching to be completed. But it is vital that during the procedure, you maintain good oral hygiene habits.

The advantage of a procedure conducted with the help of a dentist is that the results are fairly quick to see.

• Laser bleaching – This operation as the name signifies uses an LED, halogen gas or plasma to remove the peroxide molecules present in the outer enamel of your teeth. This procedure is done after a bleaching agent is added. It is vital to avoid wine, tobacco and sensitive food substances or drinks immediately after this procedure.

• Internal bleaching – In some cases, the colour of the enamel is changed because of internal substances like blood or other fluids. In these cases, the dentist would drill a hole in the pulp and clean using some sort of bleaching gel.

There are also a number of bleaching procedures that can be undertaken at home by you. Some of these are:

• Oil pulling – In this case, you swish oil in your mouth for a considerable amount of time to remove bacteria and plaque. Swishing your mouth with an oil like coconut oil is known to reduce your chances of contracting gingivitis.
• Consuming baking soda – Brushing your teeth using baking soda is guaranteed to make your teeth shinier if done regularly.
• Using a teeth whitening gel – There are several teeth whitening gels that are available over the counter that help you to achieve a good cosmetic look. Remember to ask your dentist on how to use the gel before attempting to do it yourself.

• Limit consumption of alcohol, tobacco, beverages and food substances that stain your teeth.

• Brushing and flossing regularly: Brushing and flossing regularly will naturally improve the colour of your teeth if done diligently.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure and the results can be achieved in a myriad of ways, with the help of a dentist or via natural methods. Never underestimate the power of good oral habits and never hesitate to consult a dentist if you are in doubt.