Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth and wish you had a smile like TV stars?
Teeth whitening is a procedure in which the color of teeth is changed from their natural color to a lighter shade (whiter teeth). It can be done both in the office and at home.
There are many methods of whitening, from special toothpastes, strips, lasers, gels to in-office whitening agents.
Depending on each patient’s clinical situation, the dentist recommends a particular whitening method.
Teeth whitening is recommended for people who have healthy teeth, problem-free gums, or for patients who have previously treated all dental and gum diseases. There are also situations in which teeth whitening is not recommended, such as people with sensitive teeth, allergies to whitening substances, gum disease, eroded enamel, tooth decay, pregnancy, breastfeeding or children under 16 years of age.
Is there any risk?
The most common side effects are increased tooth sensitivity and minor irritation of the gums during treatment. Both of these effects usually disappear within 1-3 days of stopping or completing treatment.
What is important to know is that the whitening substance acts only on the organic material, which means that after whitening all fillings (fillings) but also prosthetic work (veneers, crowns) will not change color, looking quite unsightly. It is therefore recommended to replace old fillings after whitening with new ones in the current tooth color. The same applies for prosthetic work.
How long does the whitening last?
In most cases 2-3 years, but for this the patient must strictly follow the dentist’s instructions:
- During the first 72 hours after whitening, only white or clear foods/drinks should be consumed;
- avoid contact with colored food and drinks (red wine, coffee, fizzy drinks, acidic drinks, food dyes in large quantities) for the duration of the treatment, ideally for 2 weeks after whitening. In the event that consumed this type of food should be rinsed with water, mouthwash or tooth brushing;
- it is recommended to use a whitening toothpaste for 2 weeks, only once a day (in the evening), and in the morning use a fluoride toothpaste or a toothpaste for sensitive teeth;
- should come in a few days after the whitening treatment is completed for a fluoridation session;
- oral hygiene must be impeccable;
- for smokers, if the habit is not quit, the whitening time will be shorter. This treatment can be repeated periodically to maintain the desired dental aesthetics.
