A comprehensive guide on teeth whitening
A radiant smile is a powerful asset that can boost your confidence and make a positive first impression. However, over time, teeth can become stained and discolored due to factors such as aging, diet, and lifestyle habits. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective teeth whitening procedures that can help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a process that lightens the color of teeth by removing stains and discoloration. The most common cause of tooth discoloration is the accumulation of pigments from food, beverages, and tobacco use. These pigments can penetrate the tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, giving the teeth a yellow or brown appearance.
Types of Teeth Whitening
There are two main types of teeth whitening:
- Professional teeth whitening is performed by a dentist in a dental office. This type of whitening is generally more effective than at-home methods and can achieve dramatic results in a short period of time.
- At-home teeth whitening involves using over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, or whitening trays. These products typically take longer to see results than professional whitening, but they are more affordable and safe to use for a longer period of time.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening works by using bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down the bonds between the stain molecules and the tooth enamel. The bleaching agents penetrate the enamel and reach the stains, causing them to break down and lighten the color of the teeth.
How Does Teeth Whitening Toothpaste Work?
The active ingredients can change how effectively the products whiten your teeth. Usually, whitening toothpaste includes one of these three ingredients:
➔ Mild abrasives: The Journal of the American Dental Association reports that some toothpastes contain only mild abrasives. These ingredients don't bleach or change your teeth's color: they can only remove surface stains by gently scrubbing them off your enamel. These toothpastes are safe to use everyday.