Nobody wants to flash a set of pearly yellows when they smile. But as you age, it’s natural for your once-gleaming grin to begin looking a little bit dingy as years of eating and drinking leave a mark.
So, perhaps you’ve started looking at teeth whitening products on store shelves and wondering if they’re safe and able to make a difference.
Best Dentist in Vasanth Nagar Dr Gaurav Ghosh, MDS has your answers.
How does teeth whitening work?
The magic of science can help make stains on your teeth disappear.
Most at-home teeth whitening products contain a bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (a chemical that includes hydrogen peroxide).
Tooth stains, after all, are merely an accumulation of darker-coloured compounds called chromogens. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down bonds within those compounds to lighten up the stains.
“As those compounds get smaller, the discoloration becomes less concentrated and the net effect is brighter teeth,” explains Dr. Gaurav Ghosh- Best Dentist near Cunningham Road.
Whitening toothpaste may also have an abrasive (such as baking soda) that works to reduce surface stains on your teeth.
Is teeth whitening effective?
It’s not unusual to see your teeth noticeably lighten a few shades with regular use of at-home tooth whitening products.
Gel-filled trays work the fastest, with results sometimes seen in as little as a few days, researchers say. Whitening strips and gels typically lighten teeth within two weeks. Whitening toothpastes and rinses work more slowly.
“If you follow product instructions and stick with it, you’ll start to notice a difference,” says Dr. Gaurav Ghosh at Quintessence Dental clinic in Vasanth Nagar. “Don’t expect drastic changes, though, from pretty dark teeth to bright ones. It’s more of a gradual process.”
Professional whitening treatments — which use stronger concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — may bring faster and more dramatic results. A 30-minute session with your best dentist near Mount Carmel College may be all you need for a much more radiant smile.
“You can walk in with one shade of teeth and walk out with them looking much whiter,” she says.
Are there risks to teeth whitening?
Overall, teeth whitening in Vasanth Nagar is considered safe. The products have been around for decades, and millions of people use them — including plenty of dentists, notes Dr. Gaurav Ghosh. “And we haven’t seen an increase in problems like cavity risk or tooth fractures after whitening,” she adds.
But as with any sort of treatment, the potential for issues exists.
“It’s very common to experience temporary sensitivity in your teeth or irritation to the gums after you start using a whitening product,” clarifies Dr. Gaurav Ghosh at Quintessence Dental Clinic near Cunningham Road.
Laboratory research also points to the possibility of tooth erosion and changes in tooth microstructure through aggressive bleaching. Studies suggest, too, that whiteners may chemically react to ceramic crowns, sealants and other dental restorations.
