Teeth Whitening – What is it All About?

Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic dental procedure. It is aimed at restoring the natural color of teeth. Whitening can either be performed by a dentist or by you at home by using a whitening kit. However, it is advisable to go to the dentist because the results will be more effective.

When we eat food, some of the particles get stuck in our teeth. This leads to bacterial infection which results in loss of natural color of teeth. Certain foods such as tea, coffee, wine and chocolate can also cause stains because they contain certain pigments which penetrate the enamel layer and get deposited in the pores.
Teeth whitening is performed by using bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide. Teeth whitening kits that can be purchased in dental stores or online also contain similar bleaching agents, but with lower concentrations. Therefore, at home teeth whitening kits do not produce as effective results as when the procedure is performed at the dental office.

Bleaching agents do not act instantaneously. They take some time to penetrate the enamel layer and oxidize the pigments. That’s why the teeth have to be kept in contact with the bleaching agent for a certain time. This is achieved by using trays which fit snugly over the teeth. At-home bleaching kits include such trays along with the bleaching agent.

Using a whitening kit is a cheaper alternative to getting the procedure done at the dental facility. However, you may not get the best possible results. For effective and noticeable results, it is essential to follow all the given instructions carefully. And If you can afford it, getting teeth whitening procedure done by a dentist is always a better option.

You should also be very careful when purchasing dental whitening kits online. Not all products available online are genuine and some can even contain chemicals that may not be good for your health. Always read reviews about the product before making the purchase. You can also ask your dentist for more information about specific products that you wish to purchase.