There are a number of reasons why patients may choose to get their teeth whitened. Sometimes they have stained teeth because of drinking caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee, and other times they have drank a lot of red wine (wine o’clock was calling!) However, it is not always the most obvious reasons that cause patients to want to have their teeth whitened. Sometimes, smoking or taking certain medications can affect the colour of your not-so pearly whites. The question is: what can be done about it?
There are many ways that teeth can be whitened: dentists offer home whitening kits and treatments in their dental practices, but sometimes, patients opt for other home whitening kits that are not sold by dentists and if used incorrectly, can cause permanent damage to the teeth and gums. This is why it is recommended that you seek appropriate care from a qualified health practitioner for Teeth Whitening Macleod.
How good is the result of teeth whitening?
For professional teeth whitening with a dentist, you have the option of receiving home whitening kits which consist of trays with gels that are worn overnight, or from receiving treatment in the practice and having a light shone on to the teeth to lighten the shade of the teeth. Sometimes, a combined approach may be offered as a treatment plan. The whiteners in the professional whitening treatments can be 40% concentrated, compared with 3-10% in non-professional grades. The aim of whiteners is not to make your teeth brilliant white, but to lighten the natural shade that is already there, so that you have a natural looking smile and of course, the results will only last for as long as you avoid the causes of your discolouration and use any top up treatments and special toothpastes that you are prescribed by your dentist.
Whether you’re having a home whitening kit from your dentist, or a treatment at the dental practice, the trays will be made to custom-fit your mouth and this will reduce the risk of you harming your gums by exposing them to the chemicals in the gels. With DIY options that are not prescribed by your dentist, this is the risk that is posed by not seeking treatment from a dentist. However, some patients may feel more reassured that they are in professional hands by having treatment in a dental practice, however, this treatment will be limited to around 40 minutes in length, whereas using the home kits allows for a lengthier exposure to the gels by wearing the trays each night for a couple of weeks. Arguably, therefore, a combined approach may be more advantageous as you get the best of both worlds!
Get a brighter smile!
If you are interested in finding out more about teeth whitening, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of a dentist who is qualified to treat you. By booking in for a consultation, a dentist will be able to listen to your concerns and examine your mouth, before offering you a treatment plan. You can ask as many questions as you need to and gather all of the information you need to make a fully informed decision about the treatments available in your quest to get a brighter smile that shines like the star you are!
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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