WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING?

WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING?

Teeth whitening is a very common procedure now in general dentistry, especially within the field of cosmetic dentistry. Also referred to as teeth bleaching, dental whitening, or dental bleaching, it is a procedure that attempts to improve the color (shade) of the tooth's surface (enamel). Typically, there are two ways a tooth can be whitened. First, there are products that bleach the tooth, which means that it actually changes the tooth's color with products that contain peroxide(s). These peroxide(s) help remove deep and surface stains. Second, non-bleaching whitening products contain agents that work by physical or chemical action to help remove surface stains only.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING DISCOLORATION OF YOUR TEETH?

According to Dr. Maria Lopez of the American Dental Associations' "ADA Dental Minute" (www.ada.org), smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or wine, as well as the food you eat and the medications you are on, can cause discoloration of your teeth. Some things are under your control, but other things are not. As you age, changes in the mineral structure of your teeth take place and the enamel (surface of the tooth) becomes more susceptible to discoloration. Your gene make-up can also determine the amount of discoloration in your teeth.

LEADING CAUSES OF DISCOLORATION IN YOUR TEETH:
Foods & Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Cola, Wine, Certain Fruits and Vegetables
Age: Layer of Enamel (Tooth Surface) Wears Away and Reveals Tooth's Yellowish Dentin (Underneath Tooth Surface)
Poor Dental Hygiene: Not Brushing or Flossing Regularly
Genes: Some People are Genetically Prone to Having Whiter Enamel than Others
Medications: Some Antibiotics, Mouthwashes, and Other Medicinal Drugs
Tobacco: Cigarettes, Pipes, Cigars, and Chewing Tobacco
Environment: Water that's High in Fluoride or Excessive Use of Certain Tooth Pasts, Rinses, etc.
Trauma: Falls, etc. Can Damage and Affect the Enamel (Tooth Surface)
Disease: Certain Diseases and Treatments Affect Enamel (Tooth Surface) and Dentin (Underneath Tooth Surface)
With the amount of teeth whitening products and teeth whitening systems available to consumers today, such as porcelain veneers, laser tooth whitening, tooth pastes, whitening strips, whitening gels, etc.

By Dr. Monica Muñoz - Mexico Dentist