What Is Teeth Whitening?

No smile, no matter how healthy and clean, is immune to the effects of time, wear, fading, and discoloration. Eventually, even the brightest smile begins to lose some of its luminescence, its vibrant whiteness falling prey to stains and loss of enamel. Fortunately, cosmetic and restorative dentistry offers a potentially ideal solution to those who are looking to restore their smiles to their natural brilliance. In-office teeth whitening is a simple, quick, and relatively pain-free method of reversing the effects that the passage of time has had on teeth, diminishing or eliminating even stubborn stains left by soda, wine, tobacco, food, and certain medications. Even those whose teeth are discolored due to congenital conditions may benefit from teeth whitening. Although there are several brands of teeth whitening systems, most operate according to the same principles. Generally, a proprietary blend of bleaching agents, usually hydrogen-peroxide based, is applied in gel form to the front surfaces of the teeth. Before the whitening gel is applied, the cosmetic dentist will first isolate the teeth from the gums to ensure that there is no periodontal damage. Once the gel has been applied, its cleaning properties are activated upon exposure to a special light, which causes it to break down and penetrate the enamel. Because teeth whitening systems are able to access deep stains, most patients are able to achieve dramatically noticeable improvements in the brightness of their teeth, often emerging from the dentist’s office with teeth that are up to ten times whiter. Most whitening treatments require no more than an hour and produce results that can last for years with proper care. For those patients who prefer not to undergo an office whitening procedure, most dental practices offer the option of take-home whitening kits. These kits are generally far superior to those that can be purchased over the counter, producing results similar to those attainable through the in-office treatment. The patient is provided with a custom-molded tray that will hold the whitening formula, and he or she will wear the tray at his or her convenience in the privacy of his or her own home. To learn more about teeth whitening and other dental treatments such as porcelain dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and sedation dentistry, visit our cosmetic dentistry office near Houston to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you.