Various ways to whiten teeth through doctor care

Many people desire to have bright white teeth that are free of stains and avoid yellow teeth. Unfortunately, the natural color of your teeth will tend to turn yellow and dull as you age and the foods you eat on a daily basis. However, you don't need to worry. There are many ways you can try to whiten teeth.

What is teeth whitener?

Teeth whitener is believed to brighten and make teeth look brighter than before. But actually, not all teeth can be whitened by teeth whitening.

Yellowish teeth turn bright white more easily than brownish teeth. Meanwhile, teeth that were previously gray, purple, or even bluish in color will be difficult to whiten with teeth whitening.

The result of tooth color depends on each whitening product used. In addition, the condition of the teeth, the stains on the teeth, the concentration of bleach used, the duration of time, and the whitening system used also determine the effectiveness of teeth whitening.

Who can do the teeth whitening procedure?

Teeth whitening is a form of treatment that can only be performed by dentists or professionals who specialize in this field. For example, a dental hygienist or dental therapist with a dentist's prescription.

Maybe you will find several beauty salons that offer teeth whitening treatments, but that action can be categorized as an illegal act. This is determined if the beauty salon does not have a dentist.

Therefore, avoid doing teeth whitening treatments anywhere other than at the dentist for the sake of your oral health.

If your dentist has already whitened your teeth, you will need several visits to the doctor over several months.

The dentist will examine your teeth to make a mouth guard and tell you how to apply the whitening gel. You should use the mouth guard provided at home and regularly apply the whitening gel for the desired long-term results.

The use of this whitening gel is carried out for 2 to 4 weeks. Some of the whitening gels available can be used for up to 8 hours at a time, which can shorten the treatment period to 1 week.

Don't hesitate to ask your dentist first about what risks each type of teeth whitening treatment has. The doctor will answer correctly and clearly regarding all the information.

How to whiten teeth with doctor care

There are also teeth whitening treatments at the dentist. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your condition.

Here are some ways to whiten your teeth that you can try.

1.

One of the most popular ways to whiten teeth at doctors is veneers. Veneer is a thin layer of special material that serves to coat the surface of the teeth. The materials used as coatings are various, some are made from porcelain, composites, and ceramics.

This artificial coating can make your teeth whiter, cleaner, and more radiant. This procedure can also be done to correct any uneven or messy tooth structure.

Cost veneer will be adjusted according to the type of material used and the number of teeth to be fitted veneer . Veneer porcelain is more in demand because it is able to last for a long time and brings out a naturally radiant white color.

Although it is effective in whitening teeth, veneer may make your teeth more sensitive. Because, the installation process veneer requires that the doctor scrape a few millimeters of your tooth enamel.

Apart from that, layers veneer also prone to damage. When you chew on or bite into a hard object such as ice, the tip of a pencil, or even your nails, the veneer can loosen or fall off.

2. Whitening gel

Your doctor can also prescribe you whitening strips or gel. Both are considered effective as a way to temporarily whiten teeth.

Tooth whitening gel is clear in color and contains hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong compound that is often used in teeth whitening and cleaning products.

How to use whitening gel is easy. You just take a little gel, about the size of a corn kernels, then apply with a toothbrush to the surface of the teeth.

You can see the results after a few uses. As long as you use it as directed by your doctor, usually this one tooth treatment can last up to four months.

3. Bleach strip

Bleach strips that contain hydrogen peroxide are also a great way to whiten your teeth at a doctor.

As the name suggests, the strips are in the form of a thin transparent sheet that is almost invisible to the eye.

How to use strips to whiten teeth is very easy. You just stick the sheet directly on the surface of the teeth. Flatten the grooves of the teeth.

Leave the strips on your teeth for 30 minutes. When using it, you will not feel anything strange or lump in your mouth.

Use the strip twice a day for 14 consecutive days. Results will be visible after a few days and will last up to four months.

4. Prescription whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste contains abrasives (hard) such as alumina, silica, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate which can erode dull stains on teeth.

Actually there are many whitening toothpaste products that are sold freely in the market. However, specifically for whitening toothpaste that is prescribed by a doctor, the abrasive properties are stronger. As a result, this toothpaste is more effective at disguising tooth stains than regular toothpaste.

It is important to understand that whitening toothpaste does not change the original color of your teeth. This toothpaste does not remove stains that have already penetrated the deepest part of the teeth. Despite the name whitening, this toothpaste can only disguise stains on the outer surface of your teeth.

In order for this method of whitening to work optimally, make sure your brushing technique is correct. Make sure you also brush all parts of the teeth in a comprehensive manner starting from the part of the teeth that is used for chewing, to the molar teeth close to the tongue or cheeks.

Brush your teeth slowly. There's no need to rush. Brushing your teeth too hard can damage the tooth enamel tissue as well as your gums.

Ideally, you need about 2-3 minutes to brush all parts of the teeth in your mouth.

5.

Dental bonding is another way that doctors can do to whiten teeth. Compared with crown and veneer , dental bonding costs also tend to be cheaper.

This one-stop dental treatment can make you smile more confidently after just one visit. Usually, this treatment takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

To do dental bonding , the doctor will file your teeth so that the surface of your teeth becomes rough. A special fluid will be smeared on the tooth surface as a binding agent.

After that, the doctor will place a composite resin on the surface of the tooth that is problematic. Composite resin is a special material that can be used to replace lost tooth structure and improve tooth color and contour.

The doctor will adjust the color of the composite resin to the natural color of your teeth. After the composite resin has been successfully applied to the surface of the tooth, the doctor will use ultraviolet light to harden it.

Dental bonding can also repair damage to teeth. Some people use this treatment to repair decayed and cracked teeth. This procedure can also close the small gaps between the teeth and change the size of the teeth.

Are teeth whitening permanent results?

The results of teeth whitening are not permanent. The brilliant white tooth color usually lasts several months to 3 years. All of these timeframes vary widely from person to person.

The long-lasting effects of teeth whitening also depend on the daily habits of each person. If you are still in the habit of smoking or drinking red wine, tea, and coffee, these drinks can stain the color of your teeth.

This can affect how long you last for the teeth whitening effect. Therefore, it is important that you maintain excellent oral and dental hygiene at all times.

What are the risks of teeth whitening?

Every treatment has its associated risks. Especially if it is not cared for properly and is left alone.

So are the risks that can come after you do a teeth whitening treatment. Some of the risks that can occur are the possibility of your gums becoming more sensitive, especially if you previously had sensitive teeth. The condition of the teeth to become more sensitive usually occurs in the early stages of the teeth whitening process.

Some of the other possible risks of teeth whitening treatments are burns on the gums. If you use household whitening kits, this can put you at risk of damaging your tooth enamel.

If your teeth become more sensitive, here are ways to reduce your symptoms:

• Brushing your teeth using a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. This toothpaste usually contains potassium nitrate which can reduce tension on the tooth nerves.
• Stopping the whitening medication that is being used for 2 or 3 days. This aims to give the teeth time to adapt to the drugs used.
• Use products that contain high fluoride to help remineralize your teeth. Use this product 4 minutes before using the whitening product.

Bleaching your teeth with whitening kits that you do yourself at home is also more risky because you don't have the oral protection your dentist should provide. If anything, it usually doesn't fit the size of your mouth, so some of the whitening gel can leak into the gums and mouth. Doing so can cause blisters in the area of ​​your mouth.

Apart from becoming more sensitive teeth, a side effect of teeth whitening is the potential for irritation to the walls of the mouth. Oral irritation is the result of the teeth whitening process and occurs in the final stages. Both of these conditions are only temporary and will disappear between 1 to 3 days after finishing treatment.

What can be done to maintain teeth that have been whitened?

Here are tips you can do to keep your teeth white from turning back:

• Avoid foods that can affect food or drinks that can leave stains on teeth. If you are forced to consume a drink that can affect the color of your teeth, it is better to use a straw so that it does not hit your front teeth directly.
• Brushing your teeth shortly after consuming these foods or drinks.
• Maintain dental hygiene by always brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using dental floss .
• Using toothpaste that contains whitening to clean stains on the surface of the teeth and prevent yellow teeth. This can be done once or twice a week.
• Carry out treatment and control to the dentist at least every 6 months. If you smoke or frequently consume drinks that can leave stains on your teeth, then take control more often.

Can teeth whitener damage tooth enamel?

Enamel is the outermost layer of teeth that protects teeth from various types of decay. Usually every tooth whitener contains carbamide peroxide which is a substance that can damage the enamel.

However, tooth whiteners given by dentists are usually safe to use because they only contain 10% carbamide peroxide.

Can this tooth whitening process damage the tooth nerves?

Until now, there is no scientific evidence that the teeth whitening process has a long-term impact on the nerves of the teeth.

A study shows that the teeth whitening process requires a root canal treatment process to prevent various problems with teeth that may arise in the future.

Don't be tempted by instant teeth whitening products

Currently, many instant teeth whitening products are sold in cyberspace and in the market. Bombastic testimonials and low prices make many people tempted to try it.

However, you have to be careful. Using any whitening product may not make you profit, but instead you will get lucky. Especially if you buy whitening products through online stores.

Certain teeth whitening products on the market have the potential to contain harmful chemicals which can cause serious side effects.

Therefore, before buying any product, always read the ingredients carefully. Make sure the product you buy is safe and has a seal from a reputable organization such as the American Dental Association or BPOM RI. This seal shows that the product you are using is safe and effective for treating teeth.

Is it safe to whiten teeth during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

It's hard to know if teeth whitening is dangerous for you or your baby because there isn't enough research in this area.

Therefore, many doctors will recommend that pregnant women wait until delivery and the breastfeeding process is complete, before starting teeth whitening treatments. Especially considering that most teeth whiteners contain the chemical hydrogen peroxide which is chemically water with additional oxygen atoms which can cause tissue damage if used in high concentrations.