Teeth whitening
Who is qualified to whiten teeth?
A dentist or another licensed dental practitioner, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, should only whiten teeth at a patient’s request.
Some beauty marts provide teeth whitening favors, but doing so without a dentist is against the law and could endanger your oral health. Additionally, you can purchase DIY home teeth-whitening kits, although these could potentially be risky.
What takes place during teeth whitening?
The dentist will make a mouthguard using the appearance of your teeth and guide you on how to employ it with a whitening treatment. The gel is then routinely used for a predetermined amount of time over a few weeks while wearing your mouthguard at home. It is possible to minimize the treatment time by using whitening gels that you can apply for up to 8 hours at a time.
Another teeth-whitening method a dentist might offer is laser whitening, sometimes called power whitening. Your teeth get painted with a bleaching substance activated by a light or laser. It takes an hour or so to use laser whitening.
How can I figure out if I should whiten my teeth?
If whitening is appropriate for you, your dentist will let you know. For example, the dentist will not recommend teeth whitening if you have gum disease or crowns.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Tooth whitening is temporary. It differs from person to person and can last anywhere from a few months to three years.
The whitening effect won’t last long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea, or coffee, which can all discolor your teeth.
What risks come with tooth whitening?
No matter what method you use, there is a danger that the chemicals employed in teeth whitening will trouble your gums, especially if you already have sensitive teeth. Additionally, gum burns are possible, and some at-home whitening treatments might damage tooth enamel.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022