Teeth stain is caused by different factors such as time, food, coffee, nicotine and certain medications. Tooth discolouration may appear yellowish, brownish or greyish. There is no proven medical or health threats associated with stained teeth, however they’re not pleasant to look at. This can definitely affect your self-confidence. It isn’t vain to want beautiful, white teeth.
To restore your teeth to their former glory, there are whitening formulas and substances that are very effective, but how does teeth whitening work? Are these safe to use and do they have harmful side effects?
Many teeth whiteners contain bleaching chemicals. When applied to the tooth enamel, a chemical reaction called oxidation melts the components of the stain. The chemical, carbamide peroxide, is converted into hydrogen peroxide which serves as a bleaching agent and mild antiseptic. It easily decomposes in water and oxygen, so it is safe to use under the supervision of a qualified dentist or health worker.
The length of the treatment depends on the extent and cause of the stain. Some procedures may take a long six months to complete. If the procedure is done in a dentist’s clinic, the process can be done in a matter of hours with the use of lasers.
DIY Tooth Whitening
Commercially available teeth whitening kits, like Zero Peroxide are available without a prescription and allow you to do this procedure at home. This method is cheaper, but the formula used in most of these kits is not as strong as those used by a dentist, and can take up to three weeks to produce noticeable results.
“How does teeth whitening work” is a question you first need to pose to your dentist or health professional. Safety is important and you want make sure you have all correct information before your go ahead with this procedure.