Teeth whitening is the process of brightening the color of a tooth by removing and preventing the formation of exterior stains. In simple terms, this is bleaching of the teeth by chemically degrading the chromogens in or on the teeth. Many people nowadays are spending large amounts of money looking for the most effective ways to whiten their teeth. This search for more attractive smiles has led to a significant rise in the number of teeth whitening methods available on the market. However, it is vital to understand the benefits and side effects of each method before you choose one for yourself.
Even before you consider using any of these teeth whitening methods, you need to know the kind of problem you are dealing with and its causes. Only then can you be able to find the right solution. Most cases of teeth discoloration are food-related. Therefore, you can quickly reverse them by making simple dietary changes. If the natural methods don’t work, you should consult a dentist for advice on the ideal and safe teeth whitening procedure.
Most traditional teeth whitening procedures used hydrogen peroxide delivered either as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When hydrogen peroxide dissolves into the tooth, it is transformed into an oxidizing agent and breaks into unstable free radicals. The free radicals then attach to organic pigments in the tooth enamel to produce less pigmented components. Since they are unable to reflect too much light, these small components provide a whitening effect. The only problem with this traditional whitening method was that it could cause other unintended dental issues, especially if the person performing it chose the wrong time exposure and concentration of the bleaching substance.
Luckily, there are numerous advancements in this field of dentistry that can help you address the discoloration problem once and for all. One of the latest methods of teeth whitening is the use of a time-released gel containing 6% hydrogen peroxide during application but rises to 10% after five to ten minutes, helping reduce the amount of time the whitening agent stays in the patient’s mouth thus preventing damage.
Other dental experts are currently testing the use of calcium phosphate in teeth whitening gels. If successful, this method will help to keep teeth healthy. There is also the possibility of producing toothpaste with compounds to neutralize any side effects caused by the teeth whitening process. Teeth whitening strips with scalloped edges and designed to match specific gum line patterns will hit the market soon. These advances will revolutionize the whole teeth whitening industry.
