Teeth can often become stained over the course of the years, either due to lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking red wine and coffee or simply as part of the aging process. Yellow or brown stained teeth can appear very unattractive and can be the source of considerable embarrassment that will stop you smiling.
Teeth whitening is the process of bleaching the teeth to remove discolouration and staining. It is offered by most dentists as an in surgery procedure or as a take home kit with specially prepared trays of bleaching substance. This is usually a peroxide-bleaching agent that varies in strength from between three and 30 per cent, depending on the patient. Although the peroxide bleaches the teeth white it can also be caustic to the gums and other soft tissue around teeth like the lips and tongue, so dentists will often only use stronger peroxide agents in surgery. They can use gum protectors to help keep the peroxide off the soft tissue and prevent damage. The take home kits will usually have significantly reduced levels of peroxide to limit damage to soft tissue.
However, some whitening kits that can be purchased from the internet often have very strong peroxide content and inadequate gum and lip protection and as such can be very dangerous. It is always advised to have the whitening procedure performed, or at least prepared, by a dentist.
Teeth whitening can be more effective for some patients than for others. Bleaching may have dramatic like-new results for one patient and a barely noticeable effect on another. It very much depends on the patient, the dentist and the whitening system being used. The level of discomfort felt by patients also varies on a case-by-case basis. Some patients experience little or no pain and discomfort, whereas others complain of mild pain and a small percentage, moderate pain. This is usually reported as a sporadic, shooting pain in the teeth, roughly like the pain of sensitive teeth, and lasts for anything up to three days after the whitening procedure.
Whitening is a very common and relatively inexpensive way to improve the appearance of your teeth, but one that is always best performed by a dentist. Some whitening procedures can look ‘too white’ and appear fake. A Leeds dentist can advise you on the level for whitening you may need to brighten your smile.
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