Teeth Whitening
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening involves polishing them to make them lighter in color. Teeth whitening does not make the teeth brilliant white, but it does lighten the existing color by several shades.
Who can perform the teeth whitening procedure?
Teeth whitening is one of the tasks of the dentist, and it can only be done by a dentist or other recognized dental specialist, such as a dental care specialist, or a dental therapist, and with a prescription from a dentist.
Some beauty salons offer to do teeth whitening, but it is illegal without a specialized dentist, and it can be dangerous for the patient’s oral health.
A person can also purchase self-contained home teeth whitening kits, but these tools may also come with some risks.
What is teeth whitening?
After teeth whitening, a person needs to make several visits to a dental surgeon for a period of more than two months. The dentist takes an impression of the teeth to form the oral protector and instructs the person how to use it with the whitening gel, then the patient must use it at home, where the gel is applied for a specified period of time and for periods of more than two to four weeks, some types of whitening gel can leave up to eight hours of time, reducing the duration of treatment to one week.
There is another type of teeth whitening system that can be carried out by the dentist and it is called laser teeth whitening, which is known as strong whitening, where the teeth are painted with the whitening product and then exposed to a laser beam to activate the whitening, this whitening takes about an hour of time.
Can any dentist do teeth whitening?
Yes, if registered with the General Dental Council, registered dental therapists and dental care professionals can also perform teeth whitening based on a prescription issued by a dentist.
When can I get teeth whitening?
The dentist advises whether teeth whitening is good for the patient or not, as the whitening procedure can be inappropriate as in the case of gum or crown disease.
What are the risks of home teeth whitening equipment and bleaching in beauty salons?
You should only go to a dentist who specializes in teeth whitening; Because bleaching it by unqualified people as in beauty salons is illegal, in addition to that bleaching it at home comes with many risks.
Some home teeth whitening equipment does not contain materials to whiten the teeth in sufficient quantity, and generally, if the dentist does not whiten the teeth, the oral protector used may not fit in the mouth of the person being bleached, so part of the whitening gel can leak into the mouth and gums, causing sensitivity occurs.
Since teeth whitening performed in beauty salons is carried out by untrained personnel who do not have dental qualifications, it is fraught with many risks to oral health.
What questions to ask the dentist before doing teeth whitening?
There is no need to be afraid to ask about the types of whitening treatment available, what results can be expected, and whether the continuation of the result of this procedure is guaranteed for a period of time. It is also possible to ask about the presence of risks specific to the patient’s condition, such as: increased tooth sensitivity.
It is good to try to talk with other people who have undergone the same treatment, or it is possible to visit another dentist to get another opinion and to feel confident to take this procedure, and it is important to ask about the treatment plan and the estimated price before undergoing this treatment plan.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
No, the result is not permanent, as it can last for several months up to 3 years, but this varies from person to person, in general, the whitening effect will not last long if you smoke, or drink red wine, tea, or coffee, which can cause pigmentation the teeth.
Can teeth whitening affect artificial teeth?
No, teeth whitening will not affect dental prostheses, crowns, fillings, and porcelain crowns.
What are the risks of teeth whitening?
Regardless of the treatment used, there is a possibility that the gums will be sensitive to the teeth whitening process, especially in the case of previously sensitive teeth. There is also a chance of burning in the gums, and some home teeth whitening equipment can damage the enamel of the teeth.