Teeth Whitening – The Perfect Christmas Gift

The American Dental Association reports there has been consistent demand for white, brighter teeth. A professionally administered tooth whitening procedure can tackle both intrinsic and extrinsic staining. Thus, your smile will be iridescent and shiny, perfect for the holidays.

 

What Everyone Should Know About Whitening Procedures

Dental bleaching is done in-office at your local dentist’s location. However, some people implement at-home cleaning using custom-fitted trays. On the other hand, dentists’ trained eyes can be helpful when correcting imperfections. If you are considering a procedure, you should also know a few things.

Check out our blog for more interesting tips to improve your smile from Cottonwood Cosmetic Dentistry!

 

Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Staining

The best dental office will inform their patients about the difference between stain types. Generally, tooth discoloration describes any change in a tooth’s color or translucency. In addition, changes to the entire dentition can be described with this language. Nevertheless, these stains fall into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Typically, extrinsic staining occurs as the result of colored compound accumulation and coating enamel. In general, this is associated with environmental factors, such as tobacco use, metal salt exposure, or the consumption of pigmented foods.

Mechanical interventions can reduce these stains. These interventions include brushing with a whitening toothpaste or professional prophylaxis.

Intrinsic staining, on the contrary, develops beneath the tooth’s enamel. Therefore, mechanical interventions, such as brushing, will not alleviate the problem. These stains can arise as a consequence of systemic causes, genetic disorders, or local factors. Additionally, aging can contribute to discoloration’s advent. As people age, the enamel thins, exposing the yellower dentin underneath.

 

Whitening Agents

Depending on the stain type, different methods may be implemented to correct them. Reducing intrinsic stains involves a chemical interaction, so you must use chemicals. Most commonly, bleaching relies on carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. These are gathered on a patient’s smile at different concentrations according to the regimen.

According to the ADA, the bleaching action occurs due to carbamide peroxide’s influence. It releases one-third of its contents compared to hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent. The bleaching process occurs when reactive oxygen molecules interact with organic chromophores.

 

Is Bleaching the Right Christmas Gift for You

Tooth whitening is an elective procedure and a popular aesthetic treatment. Before bleaching, most dentists require a clinical exam with radiographs and diagnostic tests. Remember that only patients with natural teeth will respond to color restorations. Nonetheless, if you want to smile as brightly as Christmas, there is no better technique.

Contact us for more information about smile improvements in Arizona at the best dental office!