Teeth whitening is a method to improve the whiteness and brightness of your teeth. Teeth may become discolored from using tobacco products, drinking tea, coffee, or wine, or taking medications with tetracycline in them.
Does it hurt?
No, teeth whitening does not hurt. You may experience some sensitivity but its only minor and temporary. It will not harm your teeth or affect your overall oral health. The sensitivity will decrease or completely disappear after you have completed your teeth whitening treatment course.
What kinds of whitening products are available?
There are several types of whitening products that you may select from. Teeth whitening may be facilitated in a dentists office using special trays and an ultraviolet light. The doctor will insert trays with a bleaching agent to cover the upper and lower sets of teeth; the doctor will then administer an ultraviolet light laser to set the bleaching agent. This takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Another popular teeth whitening method is take home trays, which are custom fitted and made for your mouth and teeth. The doctor provides tubes of the bleaching material of his choice. You take the trays home and use them for a period of several weeks to a month.
What are some popular brands of teeth whitening products?
Some brands that you will find in many dentists offices are Nite Brite, Rembrandt, and Zoom products.
What kind of results can I expect from teeth whitening kits?
You may expect an improvement in the brightness and whiteness of your teeth up to ten shades, depending on what method and product of teeth whitening you and your doctor choose.
How long do results last?
Results will last several months up to a year or so. Most dentists will recommend a teeth whitening treatment course every year to maintain results and even improve upon them