Teeth Whitening
The procedures performed to remove darker-than-normal teeth due to the enamel and dentin structure and the discoloration occurring on them for various reasons are called Teeth Whitening-Bleaching. With the teeth whitening process, whitening up to 9-10 tons (on the 3m scale) can be achieved harmlessly. The materials used during teeth whitening are for professional use and are made with personalized medicines after the dentist’s examination. The agents sold in cosmetics that are not made under the control of the dentist are very ineffective and can damage tooth structures.
Food residues accumulating on the teeth, staining due to tea – coffee – smoking, and brushing habits are cleaned with dental calculus and plaque cleaning to be done in the practice and polishing to be done afterward. After these procedures, the teeth are ready for teeth whitening.
Why is teeth whitening needed?
The appearance of the teeth is important for people who take care of their personal care. Shape and color disorders in teeth can even cause psychological disorders. In addition to natural teeth whitening methods that can be applied at home using herbal methods, many color, shape, and position disorders can be easily resolved thanks to the development of aesthetic and restorative materials in dentistry. There are some applications such as tooth whitening with baking soda at home, the use of products such as whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening pencils, as well as some medical teeth whitening treatments applied by dentists. Among these, the bleaching method of discolored teeth is more economical, easy, and effortless compared to other restorative methods.
What should be considered in teeth whitening treatment?
- Teeth whitening (Bleaching) is a procedure that must be done under the control of the Dentist, strictly following the instructions.
- The cavities, cracks, and broken areas in the teeth may cause the chemical substance used to act on these and cause damage. Such dental problems must be eliminated before the whitening process.
- During the bleaching process, coloring foods such as tea, coffee, and cigarettes should be avoided, and regular brushing and maintenance procedures should be applied carefully.
Anyone who does not have any tooth or gum disease that interferes with the process can have teeth whitening treatment, but a dentist must be examined before whitening. Those who have advanced caries and gum disease in their mouth should have the whitening process applied after they have been treated by their physician. Apart from this, it is not recommended to apply teeth whitening to people who have not completed their growth and development, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
Research and microscopic studies; showed that there is no harm in using 10 percent bleaching solution. There is not even a single study showing that structural changes and permanent damage occur in teeth due to teeth whitening. Different concentrations of drugs can also be used to whiten teeth, but the dentist must decide how and how much to use them.
All whitening gels cause more or less sensitivity in the teeth. This sensitivity to cold-hot drinks and air can cause discomfort to people. This is a normal and expected side effect of administration. If the sensitivity does not go away within 24-48 hours, the use of bleach may need to be discontinued. In case of sensitivity, fluoride that your dentist will apply and toothpaste or creams that he will recommend to you will reduce this tooth sensitivity. As another option to reduce sensitivity, toothpaste containing potassium nitrate can also be used.