It’s good to be well-informed about any procedure you plan on undertaking—teeth whitening included. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a better smile, but while discolouration in the teeth can make someone feel insecure about their appearance, it is important to know that there are a number of things that can affect it outside of oral hygiene.
Before you go into the dentist for teeth whitening, you have to understand that the results and success may vary depending on a number of factors. Here are some things that can affect the success of teeth whitening.
1. Your natural colour
The natural colour of teeth isn’t white, to begin with. It is a slightly yellowish colour that can be compared to cream. This is due to the slightly translucent property of the outer layer of the teeth, known as the enamel. Thus, we end up seeing the yellowish hue of dentin, which is the substance under the enamel.
People with yellowish teeth tend to respond to teeth whitening procedures more so than people with grey, brown, or purple teeth. People who have any other colour than yellow may need several more phases of treatment to fix the problem.
2. Food and nicotine staining
The food you regularly eat can stain your teeth, especially if you regularly consume pigmented food and drinks, such as tea, wine, berries, sugary foods, and many more. Such stains will require more intensive bleaching of the teeth.
Make sure you avoid consuming highly pigmented foods around the time you’re having the procedure, otherwise you might end up voiding the effects entirely.
Smoking and tobacco use causes intensive tooth discolouration as well. The nicotine and tar in such products are absorbed by the pores in your teeth, which may cause horrible brown patches that may take more time to bleach than your normal yellow.
3. Poor oral hygiene
No matter how much you spend on teeth whitening and no matter how effective the treatments might be, if you don’t take care of your teeth, your pearly whites won’t stay white for long. It is important to brush your teeth regularly, to floss properly, and rinse your mouth with water after every meal. Otherwise, the investment on teeth whitening won’t last long.
4. Teeth surface
Teeth whitening is more effective on natural teeth than it is on veneers, crowns, bridges, and other artificial surfaces. Having thinner tooth surfaces is also an advantage, as it will be easier for the bleaching gel to penetrate them.
5. Concentration and type of whitening agent
While there are many different types of whitening agents, the most commonly used and effective among them is hydrogen peroxide. Dentists often apply higher concentrations of it than would appear in your home whitening kits, but this does not always translate to more whitening.
This is why more permanent whitening solutions are best left to your dentist. Not only are they more aware of the science behind whitening, their dental facilities often have advanced equipment using lasers and LED lights to speed up the process.
6. Duration of teeth whitening
Depending on the state of your teeth, home treatments can take days or weeks. Some clinics guarantee whitening in one visit, and other clinics go through a series of complicated steps. Whatever you might go for, it’s important to consider the cost of every option, and weigh the pros and cons against each other.
Whitening your teeth isn’t a simple process. It involves complex chemical reactions specifically designed to whiten your teeth without permanently damaging them.
Conclusion
Having a nice smile is both valuable and can be helpful. More often than not, whatever’s wrong with your teeth is the first thing people notice about your face and overall appearance. Whiter teeth can help you feel more comfortable with yourself and improve your confidence.
For consultations on teeth whitening, give us a visit at Claydon Dental MK! We’re a dental practice in Milton Keynes, and we’re prepared to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.