Teeth whitening is a process that involves using bleach to lighten the shade of your teeth. While it cannot make your teeth completely white, it is capable of brightening the current color by multiple shades.
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How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. Typically, the results can last anywhere from a few months up to three years.
However, the duration of the whitening effect may be reduced if you engage in habits that stain your teeth, such as smoking or consuming beverages like red wine, tea, or coffee.
Who can do teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is considered a dental procedure and should only be performed by a licensed dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, under the supervision of a dentist.
Whiten your teeth by up to six shades in under 16 minutes.
While some beauty salons offer teeth whitening services, it is illegal to do so without the presence of a dental professional, and it may pose a threat to your oral health.
Although DIY home teeth whitening kits are available for purchase, they may also carry potential risks.
What about home kits and beauty salons for teeth whitening?
It is important to seek teeth whitening services from a registered dental professional, as whitening treatments offered by unqualified individuals, such as those in beauty salons, are considered illegal.
Similarly, home whitening kits may also carry potential risks. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your dentist before using such kits.
What causes teeth to look yellow?
There are several factors that can cause teeth to lose their white shine and appear yellow.
Some foods and beverages can stain the enamel, which is the outer layer of the teeth. In addition, the accumulation of plaque on the teeth can also lead to yellowing.
While regular cleaning and whitening treatments can often address this type of discoloration, there are cases where the yellow appearance stems from the erosion of the hard enamel, which exposes the dentin layer beneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel .
What is the best way to whiten your teeth?
The optimal way to whiten your teeth is influenced by a variety of factors such as your individual preferences, goals, and budget.
Several approaches, such as oil pulling, utilizing baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, adopting a healthy diet, and moderating consumption of foods or beverages that discolor teeth, can be effective in whitening teeth.
What are the risks of teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments carry some inherent risks, regardless of the method utilized. One potential issue is sensitivity of the gums to the chemicals used in the process, which may be more likely if you already have sensitive teeth. Additionally, there is a possibility of gum burns and damage to the tooth enamel from some of the home whitening kits.