There is a popular saying that goes like, “Smile
and the world smiles with you.” There is no doubt
that a beautiful smile radiates infectiously to others.
Let us put an emphasis on the word beautiful. How
does one possess a beautiful smile? Of course you
have to agree that heredity cannot be singled out.
Lifestyle and attitude also play part in the maintenance
or even having a sweet smile.
But what if you can not incorporate a do-it-yourself
way to your busy lifestyle so as to have a smile makeover
transform your simple smile into a rather healthy
and “infectious” one? In this case, a professional
treatment by a dentist might be the best remedy.
The following article provides an appraisal of a
professional teeth whitening system usually provided
and conducted by dentists.
Professional teeth whitening is a technique by which
whitening compounds that are peroxide based are applied
to teeth by dentists within their dental office. Laser
teeth whitening is the common practice of dentist
to whiten teeth stained by nicotine, food, or even
liquids.
Peroxide-based whitening compounds usually depend
on two factors:
1. The concentration of peroxide in a whitening compound
2. The amount of time a whitener is put in contact
in the surface of the teeth
Laser teeth whitening utilize a higher concentration
of whitener for a shorter period of time, say for
hours or for few appointments.
The whitening compounds and associated equipment
(bleaching light or laser) used by dentists are normally
purchased from a manufacturer as a franchise, system,
or simply as a kit. In fact, many manufacturers have
provided national campaigns about their whitening
products and equipment, and dentists play a vital
part in the promotion of a manufacturer’s product
because they are actually using the product to their
patients.
Below is a list of some professional whitening products
dentists and professionals choose. (The kind of bleaching
laser or light is enclosed in parentheses.)
1. BriteSmile (gas plasma light/light emitting diode)
2. LaserSmile (a Biolase laser)
3. LumaArch (halogen light)
4. Rembrandt Sapphire (plasma arc light)
5. Zoom! (metal halide light)
Each of these whitening systems has its own degree
of effectiveness. However, we can summarize three
standard steps when using these types of products.
1. The dentist will compare the tooth shade of the
patient with a tooth shade guide.
Surface stain and tartar are removed before determining
the tooth shade. A dentist needs to document a pre-treatment
and a post-treatment tooth shade to assess the effectiveness
of the whitening treatment system applied. A dentist
may make use of variously shaded tooth-shaped porcelain
tabs and compare them to a patient’s set of teeth
and each match is documented. Some dentists even take
pictures of a patient’s teeth before and after the
treatment.
Flour of pumice is used to polish each tooth to ensure
that stains are completely removed.
2. The dentist will isolate teeth being whitened.
Bleaching agents, normally peroxide-based, can irritate
or even damage delicate tissues within and inside
mouth of patients. To protect these tissues, dentist
use dental dam barriers.
Thin sheet of latex punched with a hole for each
tooth and dental gels painted around each tooth are
used to protect teeth being treated. When the latter
is used, a cheek retractor, cotton rolls and gauze
are used to make sure that the patient’s lips and
cheeks are held out of the way. Afterwards, these
items are simply peeled off.
3. Bib covering and eye protection are placed on
the patient.
Unexpected things can happen. Bibs are worn by patients
to protect their skin against the caustic nature of
these bleaching agents.
Eye protection is also placed to ensure that whiteners
will not irritate even the eyes of the patients. Moreover,
it is a common knowledge that an intense bleaching
light or a laser used to activate the components of
bleaching compounds could cause eye damage.
What else can I do if I have undergone professional
whitening?
To get rid off typical stains—the coffee and cigarette
variety—can be washed away alternately with professional
whitening systems. Here are some additional tips:
Munch some apple and drink water afterwards.
Brush after every meal to have a less chance of keeping
stains on your teeth. Brush gently but effectively
by using a dentist-approved toothpaste and toothbrush.
Practice the correct ways of brushing.
Researches on dentistry note that an electric toothbrush
removes a plaque percentage that is about 98.2 percent.
Gargle with a mouthwash that has an antibacterial
action. This practice will surely will reduce stain-catching
plaque.
Don’t depend on quick-fix remedies like using super-whitening
tooth polishes because these also make the enamel
of teeth thinner. And as enamel gets thinner, more
of the dentin will show off making your teeth appear
as heavily stained.
To put it simply, here are some reasons why or why
not choose professional whitening systems.
1. The effect can be seen even instantly.
2. The whitening can be completed in just a few appointments
(possibly even just one).
3. Professional teeth whitening remedies cost more
than do-it-yourself teeth whitening items.
Hope this article brightens up your smile!
