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The quest for a dazzling smile has been gaining momentum over the last five years. In fact, the number of tooth whitening procedures has increased by 300 percent. So if you're considering teeth whitening, you're in luck; there's never been a larger variety of teeth whitening systems available!
But remember, whether you select an at-home or in-office teeth whitening treatment, the first and most crucial step is to see your dentist for expert advice. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of your lackluster smile before setting upon the appropriate course of action.
There are two different categories of tooth stain: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are classified as outside agents located on the outer surface of the tooth. Intrinsic stains occur when pigmented materials are incorporated into dental tissue.
Extrinsic stains are more commonly known by the dental layperson. Certain foods, liquids and substances contain chromogenic agents that are known to stain teeth; the most common are tea, coffee, red wine, soda and tobacco. If you're unsure whether a product can stain your teeth, follow this rule of thumb: If it stains your t-shirt, it'll stain your teeth!
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Types of Bleaching
Once the cause of your tooth stain is confirmed, your dentist can prescribe the appropriate tooth whitening product. There are two types of teeth bleaching techniques: vital and non-vital. Vital bleaching means the tooth discoloration is confined exclusively to the enamel. Vital teeth bleaching can cause tooth hypersensitivity and gum irritation. Both reactions are purely temporary.
Non-vital whitening is used for discolored teeth that have been treated with a root canal. This treatment is known as "walking bleach" because the hydrogen peroxide formulation remains inside the tooth between appointments and whitens the tooth from the inside out.
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Teeth Whitening Systems
Teeth whitening is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. There are so many options available that it helps to talk to a dentist to find out which would best fit your needs. A dentist can also examine your teeth to make sure they are healthy enough to undergo the whitening process.
Teeth whitening products can be divided into a few categories to help you better understand the options:
Tray Whitening:
- Dentist prescribed and custom-fit
- Home trays
- 10% carbamide peroxide
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
In-Office Whitening:
- Dentist supervised
- Also known as "power bleaching"
- 25-30% hydrogen peroxide
Over-the-Counter:
- No prescription needed
- 6% hydrogen peroxide
Keep in mind that, as with any product on the market, all directions must be followed. Abusing teeth whitening can do serious damage to teeth. Misuse, or over-use, can wear down the enamel of teeth and weaken them. A further danger of misusing whitening treatments is the blue glow that emits from teeth over-treated with whitening agents.
To achieve your optimum smile, make sure to get the advice of a great dentist -- only a dentist can help you decide which teeth whitening system is right for you. To find a trusted dentist, call us at 1-866-970-9853.
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RELATED TOPICS
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Few cosmetic dental treatments have reached the masses as teeth whitening. You've probably heard the hype and seen teeth whitening systems in stores. But which kind is right for you?
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