Top facts about tooth whitening
- There are many factors that influence the whiteness of your teeth. Food and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine can stain your teeth over time, as can smoking. Genetics may also influence how bright your teeth are.
- If plaque is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, it hardens to form calculus. Calculus (also known as tartar) can also affect the colour of your teeth.
- Some people may have staining under the surface. This can be caused by some antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which absorb stains.
- Regardless of your stains, the natural colour (and genetic makeup) of an individual’s teeth are set at birth. The only thing a whitening product can do is remove all the stains that have accumulated over time.
- Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening and can lighten your teeth from their natural shade . The ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter. This affects the way the natural light hits the tooth to appear white.
- The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person-to-person. If you eat or drink strongly-coloured foods or smoke, it is possible that the whitening will not last as long, so taking care of your teeth is still important.
- Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour and won’t be able to get rid of deep stains.
- You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.
Top tooth whitening tips
Don’t purchase teeth whitening products from overseas
While the prices might make it tempting, don’t purchase tooth whitening products from abroad. It is difficult to guarantee the product ingredients, and this puts your safety at risk. It is much harder to police companies and products online, so you cannot be sure they are regulated and of the highest standards. The best way to know that tooth whitening products are safe.
Talk to your Orthodontic team
When it comes to tooth whitening, there really isn’t a better source of information than your dentist and Orthodontist. Not only are they fully-qualified and licensed to perform the treatment, but they will be able to take your Orthodontic needs into account. Dentists can treat you with 6% hydrogen peroxide (the bleaching agent that whitens teeth) – this is nearly 6,000 times stronger than any over-the-counter tooth whitening product. Because of this, tooth whitening by a dentist will give you the very best results.
for more information about whitening your teeth while undergoing Orthodontic treatment contact our friendly FreshSmiles reception to book a consultation appointment!