Do you want to make your smile more shining? You may have noticed teeth-whitening products and have a few questions: How do they function? Is it safe? Is it long-lasting? If you thoroughly investigated each query you have, you likely came across some contradicting solutions on Google. Many individuals have misconceptions regarding the way tooth whitening works. If you want to whiten your teeth, you should contact an experienced dentist in Brooklyn, New York.
Things You Did Not Know About Teeth Whitening
- Teeth are not actually white.
Yes, you heard correctly! Our teeth do not always appear that sparkling white. Therefore, having white teeth does not indicate good health. Your teeth surface appears light yellow or gray, while the dentin underneath is actually dark yellow.
- Healthy teeth are not always white.
Since teeth are not usually white, having light-colored or light-gray teeth may indicate good oral health! It becomes unhealthy, however, if staining or plaque buildup causes your teeth to become discolored. For example, consuming acidic and sugary drinks, like soda, may erode the enamel on your teeth and expose the dentin, leaving your teeth a deeper shade of yellow.
- Not everyone’s teeth react effectively to teeth whitening.
Teeth with yellow undertones usually bleach well, brown teeth considerably less so, and gray or purple teeth likely not at all. If whitening products do not work for your discoloration, it might be due to drug side effects or tooth injury. Furthermore, teeth with veneers, crowns, fillings, or caps are resistant to teeth whitening.
How do teeth become discolored?
There are several reasons why the color of your teeth might have changed. It is common for the color of your teeth to change when you eat certain foods and drinks. Teeth stains might result from drinking red wine, coffee, or tea. The pigments in these drinks stick to your teeth’ enamel. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products cause, accordingly, brown and yellow stains.
Time is a factor as well. Our teeth’s outer enamel reduces, and the yellowish dentin underneath shows through more as we get older.
How Whitening Teeth Functions
Whitening teeth is a bleaching treatment that uses either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The staining agents are broken down with an oxidation process.
Options for Whitening Teeth
The most effective and safest method to whiten your teeth is with professional teeth whitening at your dentist’s office. A stronger concentration of whitening chemicals is used under your dentist’s supervision. Your gums are protected from these chemicals because the process might injure you otherwise. To enhance the treatment, a laser or other specialized light can also be used. Your teeth can go up to ten shades lighter after completing this, and it usually takes less than 90 minutes.