Tooth whitening is the gateway to a better, sparkling smile. Whitening products typically discharge a chemical into the tooth enamel and activate a reaction. In effect, this reaction paves the way for the chemical to lighten the tooth by means of oxygenation and diffusion processes. The oxygenation process begins on the tooth surface and cycles deeper inside the tooth tissue resulting in the disintegration of the stain and elimination of the debris through diffusion. Are you a suitable candidate for teeth whitening? Read on to find out.
Suitable candidates
People who stand to benefit immensely from teeth whitening include those drink tea and coffee, tobacco users and those with dental stains acquired through poor dental care. Often, these stains are yellow or brown in colour and occur on the external surface of the tooth which means they are quite easy to lighten and get rid of. Nevertheless, heavy smokers, routine tea and coffee drinkers can only achieve great results if only they discontinue the use of these substances while undertaking the teeth whitening process.
Persons with intrinsic stains require additional whitening applications compared to the average person. Basically, intrinsic stains are the type of stains that sit underneath the surface of the tooth enamel. They often appear grey or grey-brown and call for additional applications given that the whitening gel must penetrate through the enamel pores and inside the dentin. One of the toughest stains to remove is grey and good results from teeth whitening will need more commitment and patience.
Unfit candidates
Whitening is not suitable for people experiencing severe tooth sensitivity, oral cancer, periodontal disease, or badly worn enamel. This is because the whitening procedures are likely to cause irritation to their tender gums. People with tooth cavities and gum disease should first be treated by a dentist before considering any whitening procedure.
Additionally, whitening is not suitable if you have dental restorations such as crowns, bonding or caps. Dental restorations are typically designed to match the colour of one's teeth at the time of the procedure. Therefore, if you did not undertake teeth whitening prior to the dental restoration procedure, then your restorations are likely to stand out in your natural teeth after whitening. This is because unlike enamel, dental restorations don't whiten or stain. Therefore, bleaching should be done before the placement of dental restorations to nicely match the extent of your new whitened smile.
In conclusion, please consult a dentist before undertaking any whitening procedure.
