When to whiten teeth?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Dang Tien Dat - Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Teeth whitening is a method to help improve the beauty of teeth effectively. Many people have a need to whiten their teeth to be more confident in communication, but are still wondering "is teeth whitening good?", "is it safe to whiten teeth?"

1. Is teeth whitening good?

The essence of the teeth whitening method is to use oxidants and light energy to create an oxidation reaction that cuts off the chains of color molecules in the dentin, making the teeth whiter and brighter than the original condition. Teeth whitening was born to solve the needs of many people, wanting to improve stained teeth to increase aesthetics and be more confident in communication. Most people can whiten their teeth, but teeth whitening is good, effective or not depends on many factors. In which, the most important thing is to determine the cause of the staining of the teeth, how serious it is and next is to choose a teeth whitening method that is suitable for the condition of the teeth.
Causes of tooth discoloration can be divided into two main groups:
Causes of surface discoloration:
Colored foods and drinks such as wine, coffee, tea, juice, ketchup,... Due to improper brushing, the plaque cannot be cleaned. Long-term smoking Causes of tooth decay:
Due to tetracycline antibiotic use in childhood or tetracycline use by pregnant women, the baby may be born with partial or complete tooth discoloration. The source of the water used is contaminated with Fluor or using a toothpaste with too high a fluoride content Due to age, genetics,...

2. Teeth whitening methods

Regarding teeth whitening methods, the two most popular methods today are wearing teeth whitening trays done at home and teeth whitening at a dental office. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different teeth staining conditions:
Method of wearing teeth whitening trays at home:
The advantage of this method is that it is done at home, can be proactive in time. wearing time trough, the cost of implementation is also quite low. The doctor will take an impression of your teeth and make a tray that fits each person's teeth. This trough is made of clear plastic, which holds the bleach in place and prevents saliva from entering. Troughs are used with bleach with a low concentration of about 10-15%. The disadvantage of this method is that it only bleaches in some cases of mildly discolored teeth such as coloration due to external agents or coloration due to age.

Teeth whitening method at the dental office:
The doctor will wear a lip and gum protector, apply an anti-tingling agent, then use a bleach concentration of about 35-37% combined with light. Strong intensity to perform bleaching. The advantage of this method is that it works quickly and effectively even in cases of teeth that are heavily stained, stained by Tetracycline, Fluoride,...
Teeth bleaching only works on teeth real without any effect on porcelain teeth or teeth made of other materials. Before teeth whitening, the doctor will clean tartar, restore restoration if the tooth neck is worn, brush away plaque, treat anti-sensitivity. If teeth are severely stained, a combination of both in-office whitening and at-home tray whitening may be required. Teeth whitening results for each person will be different, the whiteness may decrease over time, but it will still be whiter than the original tooth color.

3. Is teeth whitening painful?

Teeth whitening methods do not cause pain. However, after teeth whitening, many people still feel sensitivity, especially those with sensitive teeth, these symptoms are not serious and usually go away after a few days.
In addition, if the bleaching is done at a reputable dental facility, with good facilities, a professional and skilled doctor, using quality bleach, then teeth whitening is very safe. does not affect enamel as well as change tooth structure. Teeth whitening at home also needs the guidance and supervision of a doctor, the use of poor quality bleach or improper technique not only makes teeth whitening ineffective, but can cause diseases. serious dental problems.

4. When should teeth whitening?

Pregnant women and lactating women should not bleach their teeth, because the drugs used in bleaching can affect the health of the unborn baby. People who are suffering from oral diseases such as periodontitis, worn neck teeth, open roots, tooth decay need definitive treatment before teeth whitening. People with a history of allergies or signs of allergy to tooth bleach should not perform teeth whitening with drugs, but should find ways to whiten their teeth with other methods that are safer for themselves, such as using toothpaste. Or whiten teeth with natural ingredients. In addition, children under 16 years old should not bleach their teeth, because at this age, bleach can irritate the tooth pulp, making teeth sensitive and numb.
During the whitening process and after 2 weeks, the teeth are very sensitive, so it is necessary to abstain from eating dark foods to avoid the risk of re-coloring. When drinking colored drinks, use a straw instead of drinking directly. Avoid drinking water or eating foods that are too hot or too cold, which will easily cause tooth sensitivity. Maintain good oral hygiene, brush teeth thoroughly after eating to maintain the whiteness of teeth, limit the risk of teeth staining again.
Master, Doctor Dang Tien Dat graduated with a master's degree in Odonto-Stomatology from Hanoi Medical University. Dr. Dat has strengths in: performing wisdom tooth extraction procedures, root canal treatment, tartar removal, gentle tooth filling, minimal trauma, helping patients to minimize pain; Design and make beautiful porcelain teeth. Currently, dentist Dat is working at the Department of Odonto-Stomatology, Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

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