Orthodontic dentistry
Whiter teeth are always in demand, if you feel that your teeth are slightly yellow, you are not alone!
Teeth have pores and a lot chemicals tend to get absorbed such as nicotine or food color, these stains then make our teeth look dull and darker.
Research says that 80 percent of the population think that they have yellow teeth and would like to have a whiter and brighter smile, also asked some questions back… so let’s clear the facts first, here are the answers to some FAQ’s.
Reason for yellow teeth?
- Age, with advance in age the enamel wears of showing the dentin
- Tea, coffee, red wine and food color leave stains on teeth
- Smoking, tobacco, arecanut, pan, gutka, bidi and other forms of tobacco containing tar and nicotine
- Clenching of teeth
- Improper tooth cleaning leading to build up of tar and calculus
- Dental fluorosis
- Certain medications like tetracycline
- Trauma
- Chemotherapy
How does teeth Whitening work?
- The process of teeth whitening is a simple process where the chemicals of the bleaching agent act upon the tooth, get absorbed within the pores of the tooth and break the stain particles into smaller bits that have made the teeth dull and dark, hence then making the teeth lighter and brighter.
What are various whitening options?
- Stain removal toothpastes
- Single visit in office bleaching
- At home bleaching from dentist
- Over the counter bleaching kits
Are there any side effects of bleaching?
- None major
- Few may experience tooth sensitivity that disappears within 12 to 36 hours
- Some abnormal gum discoloration if not performed well at home
All teeth are not suitable for bleaching and hence a thorough check up by the dentist has to be done before commencing whitening of teeth. Such teeth can go for better cosmetic options or may be a other course of treatment. Also in cases of home bleaching the desired result may not be achieved, as no change happens over the night, slight changes may start after days of application or even weeks. Home bleaching provided by the dentist show better result than the one picked up from over the counter.
Every face color has a tooth color and every tooth color has an eye color which is called the genetic makeup, as dental surgeons we can play around with the colors of these and yet stay within the boundaries to not spoil up the genetic makeup.
Tip:
It is recommended to do an in office teeth whitening for brighter looking smile followed by fluoride therapy that nourishes and hydrates the teeth thoroughly.
