Teeth Whitening Treatment Methods

A teeth whitening treatment is the one of the best ways for a person to have pearly white teeth and brighter smile. A unique gel is used for bleaching the teeth in this type of treatment with the aid of a specialized halogen light.

Teeth whitening treatment can be a very effective method to lighten the natural color of the teeth while preventing damage to the surfaces of the tooth. It does not guarantee that it will change the color of the teeth completely but it will definitely lighten it. Teeth whitening treatment will not work on dentures, jackets or crowns. This treatment works only on natural teeth.

To perform treatment, the dentist uses a special bleaching gel, applying it gently onto the teeth of the patient using a tray made specially to fit into the patient's mouth. The whitening agent used in the bleach is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which lets the oxygen get into the teeth's enamel making the color of the teeth lighter. Teeth whitening treatment may be continued at home. The dentist will give the patient instructions on how to do so. Always make sure that the treatment will be performed by a licensed dentist.

Teeth whitening treatment is usually done within a few weeks, approximately four weeks. So once the patient starts the treatment, regular application of the special bleaching gel onto the teeth should be done at home for a few weeks, for 30 minutes to an hour per application.

There are minimal side effects to teeth whitening treatment. Some experience teeth sensitivity to cold water or food after the treatment. Others get a sore throat or feel a little discomfort in their gums or little white patches appear along the lines of the gum. Nonetheless, all of these side effects are temporary. They should disappear after a few days and if in any case the side effects persist, it would be best to consult your dentist immediately.

There are other ways of whitening the teeth, the latest of which is laser whitening or "power whitening" as it is commonly called. In this treatment, a laser beam targets the teeth that will activate the chemical applied to it. The laser light will speed up the action of the whitening chemical to lighten the color of the teeth.

The most convenient and cheapest teeth whitening treatment is through the use of an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit. However, dentists do not usually recommended them due to their strong, abrasive chemical contents that may cause gum ulcers. To achieve whiter teeth, it is still best to consult a licensed dentist to make sure that the treatment will be safe and effective.