TEETH WHITENING

There are many causes. The most common include ageing and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, red wine, tobacco from smoking, etc. During tooth formation consumption of tetracycline (an antibiotic drug) or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Bleaching or teeth whitening is a simple, painless way to make your teeth whiter.
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you but over time its brilliance can dim. Teeth whitening are one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry designed to give you a flawless smile you can be proud of. It is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. Whitening your teeth can make you feel more confident, with a beautiful new smile that brightens up your face!
At Bharath Dental Clinic, we are specialized in whitening and offer patients both in-clinic treatments performed by our qualified cosmetic dentist Dr. Shabbir, as well as take-home kits to whiten and maintain your smile at home.

In office, professional teeth whitening system

In-office whitening can help restore a healthy, vital and brilliant smile in a safe, convenient and easy way. The combination of a professionally applied whitening gel activated by a special light can result in dramatic aesthetic transformations. This bleaching technique is fast and effective.

During your diagnostic visit, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. This allows the dentist to make a custom thin plastic gel-holding appliance called a whitening tray which will be used in the future for a “touch-up” when needed.

At your second visit, the in-office tooth whitening procedure begins with a preparation period during which

• A cheek retractor is inserted into the mouth, exposing the entire “aesthetic zone”.,
• A rubber dam is placed or hardening resin is painted onto the gum tissue to protect the lips and gums against any irritation caused by the bleaching gel and protective eyewear is worn
• The Whitening gel is painted on the teeth and the Whitening light is positioned and switched on. The actual whitening session takes just 15 – 30 minutes and while your smile is being restored, you can relax.
• The bleaching gel is suctioned or washed off, and fresh gel is applied for one or more additional periods of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Between gel applications, the teeth are checked to see how well they have whitened, and whether more bleach needs to be applied.
• After the final gel application, the cheek retractors are removed, the patient rinses and the immediate post-treatment shade change are measured. The teeth may whiten by as few as two to three shades or as many as eight (out of a total of 16).

Part of the whitening effect is due to dehydration during the bleaching process, which makes the teeth look whiter than their true new color. The new ‘true’ color will emerge after a couple of days.
If a satisfactory level of whitening hasn’t been achieved, follow-up in-office bleaching at a future date, and/or a regimen of take-home bleaching trays are advised.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits,

We encourage our clients to incorporate the use our take-home teeth whitening products to maintain the results of in-office teeth whitening indefinitely. Take-home teeth whitening products offered in our clinic are very effective and cost efficient. In our Bharath Dental office, you will find a wide variety of take-home teeth whitening options ranging from teeth whitening pens and non-peroxide foams to custom teeth whitening trays.

During your diagnostic visit, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. This allows the dentist to make a custom thin plastic gel-holding appliance called a whitening tray.

At your second visit, you will be fitted with take-home whitening trays. You will also be given specific instructions on how to apply the gel and how often to wear your trays. Basically, a small amount of whitening gel has to be applied in the whitening trays and the trays have to be inserted in the mouth and worn. The trays can be worn any time that is convenient; night-time wear is not mandatory. Maximum results generally occur when the process is continued for 10-14 days/nights.

All kinds of bleaching can cause post-treatment sensitivity and some amount of gum irritation the whitening Light generates some heat which is the usual source of discomfort. On rare occasions, tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure, but this is only temporary. These symptoms disappear within 1-3 days after completion of treatment. The whitening lasts for 6 months to 1 year, depending on your personal habits such as smoking, pan chewing and drinking coffee and tea. No one can really predict how much lighter the teeth can become with bleaching. Every case is different.

Yes, research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with Carbamide Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe for teeth and gums. As with any tooth whitening product, it is not recommended for children under 18 years of age and pregnant and lactating women.

As the active ingredient in the gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentine and bleaches the coloured substances.

No, the structure of the tooth is not changed. Only the tooth colour is made lighter.

The vast majority of people experience dramatic results. A very small percentage does not. The degree of whiteness will vary from patient to patient, depending on the structure of the teeth. In the case of home whitening the result can also vary depending on the number of whitening applications and/or the duration of time that the whitening system is used.

Tooth whitening/bleaching is not permanent. To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, it is recommended that you use at-home bleaching kits and avoid dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening. Whenever possible, use a straw while taking beverages and always rinse after taking foods, coffee etc.

The teeth will always be lighter than they were before. However, some patients may need a tooth whitening “touch-up” for 1-2 days, once or twice a year. In order to maintain the whitest tooth shade possible, it is best to try to avoid substances like coffee, tea, colas, red wine and tobacco.

All toothpastes contain mild abrasives to remove surface stains. Whitening toothpastes however, are generally more abrasive and may also contain additional polishing agents and chemicals, making them more effective against stains than regular toothpastes. While whitening toothpastes can make teeth appear lighter by removing surface stains, they do not actually whiten teeth.
How white will my teeth get?

This depends on the nature of the staining and length of treatment. You may see up to 13 shades of color change. Some people lighten 7 shades in 7 days.

Yes. Restorations (fillings such as tooth colored composites and crowns) do not change color. If you have many fillings on your teeth that show when you smile, they may become more noticeable (look darker) after the teeth get lighter. Your dentist will examine you and advise you as to whether the improvement from whitening is worth the cost and risk of replacement of those restorations.

Bleaching improves the appearance of your teeth without removing any of the natural tooth surfaces. Bleaching is a better option than a crown or veneer if you want to lighten the colour of healthy teeth.

The results can be unpredictable, the lighter the teeth are to start with, the less effect the bleach will have. Some types of staining (like tetracycline stains and some other chemical inclusions in the enamel) don’t respond well to bleaching.

Most dentists recommend a twice a year routine. But, if you maintain your oral hygiene exceptionally well, then you may need to get it done once in a year/s. At Bharath Dental clinic we monitor your oral hygiene for the first 6 mos.-1 yr after your first cleaning session is completed. Depending on your individual need, you are advised on how often you require scaling to be done. The golden rule is to have a routine dental check up every 6 months.

Foods to Avoid Following Teeth Whitening

Staining Foods (Foods with Color) – Following a teeth whitening session, several foods and ingredients are particularly likely to stain your new smile. Foods to watch out for include dark chocolate (white chocolate is fine), dark soups, stews, beets, tomato sauces, dark marinades, soy sauce, strawberries, and blueberries. Certain ethnic foods like Spanish and Indian cuisine may also be bad for your new smile. This is because those cuisines tend to incorporate lots of tomato sauces and curry.

Dark Beverages – The preferred drinks to maintain a white smile are the clearer ones like water and milk. Various colored drinks can leave staining on your newly whitened smile. The drinks to avoid include coffee, tea and red wine, as well as dark soft drinks and sports drinks (Gatorade). Colored juices can also stain our teeth, like grape juice, tomato juice, green juices (like Kale) and cranberry juice. A helpful tip when drinking darker beverages is to use a straw so the liquids have less contact with our teeth thus reducing the staining opportunity.

Acidic Foods – The teeth whitening procedure has one definite side effect for some patients. It may leave your teeth temporarily sensitive to acidic foods and drinks. This can cause you pain and discomfort while eating. So if you are feeling sensitivity try to avoid acidic foods and drink. These can include citrus drinks and soft drinks. Luckily, the sensitivity is usually very short lived (for most between 48 and 72 hours) and you can go back to enjoying your favorite foods very quickly.

-Cold Drinks And Food – Similar to being sensitive to acidic food and drink, our teeth can also be sensitive to extreme cold temperatures for a short period following teeth whitening. If you are experiencing sensitivity you should avoid cold drinks (like ice water), ice cream, and other frozen desserts. Try to eat items at room temperature until sensitivity subsides to avoid discomfort.