Braces versus Retainers: A Comprehensive Overveiw

2 Cosmetic Options to Improve the Colour of Your Teeth

13 February 2018 by Lonnie Bryant

Teeth tend to turn yellow over time because of age and staining from the things people eat. This is why it's very important to have professional cleaning as recommended by your dentist. In addition, good hygiene that includes brushing/rinsing after consuming teeth-staining foods can keep yellowing at bay.

Yellow or brown teeth can be rectified using various cosmetic dentistry treatment options, and these are highlighted in the following paragraphs. Read on to learn more.

1. Laser whitening

This is an in-office (must be done at the dentist's) whitening procedure that takes about an hour per session. Visible difference can be seen immediately, but badly stained teeth may need more than one session. The dentist usually applies a bleaching agent on your teeth and then shines laser beams over the bleach to activate the bleach.

The bleaching agent used has higher amounts of peroxide than normal whitening products, and so the dentist takes precautions to protect other parts of your mouth from injury during the procedure. A little sensitivity can be expected after the treatment, but this is often cured by using desensitising toothpaste. With good oral hygiene, you can maintain your pearly whites for anywhere from six months to several years.

Laser whitening isn't for everyone, and not just because it's rather expensive. Teenagers and pregnant women are advised to delay laser whitening because the enamel isn't strong enough. Those with receded gums (where the root is showing) will also need another option, as roots resists bleaching. Talk to your dentist for a pre-screening to find out if you're a candidate for laser whitening.

2. Dentist-supplied tooth whitening trays

There are many tooth-whitening products out there, but not all are best suited to remove all types of staining. Therefore, if you want to whiten teeth safely from home, it is recommended that you visit your dentist for a personalised option.

Dentist-dispensed options feature custom-made trays which help bleach to interact fully with the teeth, giving better and faster results than over-the-counter whitening kits. These trays also prevent the bleaching agent from getting in contact with the gums, which can get easily irritated. Your dentist may tweak the bleach and desensitising agent concentrations according to your needs.

Depending on the peroxide concentration in the bleaching gel, you'll wear your custom trays with bleach for 2-4 hours every day for about two weeks. You may extend this period if you're not pleased with the final result. Results can last between 1-3 years depending on your hygiene practices. Follow the dentist's recommendations to avoid damaging your teeth and gums.

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