Teeth whitening
Why whiten your teeth?
Today’s society is obsessed with beauty, and some people want to improve their physical appearance to feel better about themselves. A growing number of adults are turning to orthodontics to improve the aesthetics of their smile and achieve better chewing function. People also want whiter teeth. Even if someone brushes their teeth two or three times a day and flosses once a day, these habits are unfortunately not enough to keep teeth white.
Teeth whitening is therefore an option for restoring the brightness of a person’s smile.
The natural color of teeth varies with age and time
Tooth color varies greatly from person to person and becomes darker with age. As we age, the dentin (located under the enamel and naturally more yellowish) becomes increasingly exposed due to the gradual thinning of the enamel layer that protects the teeth. Teeth therefore become more yellow or grayish over time.
For a brighter smile, think teeth whitening.
First, you should know that teeth naturally range from greyish to yellowish, from pale to dark. Over time, it is common for teeth to become darker.
Several other factors can influence teeth color. In fact, some drinks (coffee, tea, red wine) and smoking can create spots on the surface of the teeth. Wear, tooth decay, plaque and tartar build-up as well as some prescription drugs can also contribute to the discoloration of teeth.
Although for some, scaling and polishing are enough to restore a glowing smile, others will need to whiten their teeth.
Talk to your dentist about finding a solution that best suits your situation and that will give you back your radiant smile.
Two types of whitening are available
- At-home whitening using over-the-counter products;
- Professional whitening at the dentist’s office, sometimes including part of the treatment to be done at home under the dentist’s supervision.
In some cases, teeth whitening can make a noticeable difference to a person’s smile. In other cases, the results will be less significant, depending on the nature of the stains on the teeth.
How does teeth whitening work?
The whitening agent acts on the surface of the tooth (enamel) and dentin (located under the enamel). It never reaches the pulp (inner part of the tooth), as it is not powerful enough to have an effect on it.
The most commonly used products for teeth whitening are:
- Hydrogen peroxide (oxygenated water);
- Carbamide peroxide;
- Urea peroxide.
Peroxide is able to “attack” the dark molecules that have accumulated on the enamel and dentin of the teeth in order to break them down using the oxygen it contains.
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