The perfect white smiles in media have influenced the public immensely. As T.V’s color quality, print, and electronic media have increased, so is the self-awareness of discolored teeth. The public has come to insist for whiter, more perfect smiles. Many companies introduced home-based as well as professional tooth whitening products in the late 1980s. As this industry has gained popularity worldwide, teeth whitening Dublin also had its advancements over the years.
Teeth whitening Dublin is a cosmetic procedure and is never covered by insurance.
There are several methods for teeth whitening. Every method has its own mechanism of action. Broadly, tooth discoloration is categorized into two main groups:
- Intrinsic staining, also known as internal staining. This staining can happen due to genetics, antibiotics, age, developmental disorders, and high levels of fluoride.
- Extrinsic staining is also called external staining. It is caused due to environmental factors like smoking, antibiotics, pigments in foods and beverages, and metals such as copper and iron. The colored compounds from the above sources are adsorbed on the tooth surface or into dental pellicle, causing stains.
Whitening Chemistry
Any procedure that lightens the tooth color is referred to as tooth whitening. It may be accomplished by removing the stains physically or by some chemical reaction. The compounds of tooth stains that have a color or darker shades are called chromogens. The chemical degradation of chromogens is called bleaching. Hydrogen peroxide () is the active ingredient of most of the teeth whitening Ireland products.
The bleaching of metallic compounds is difficult. An aesthetically better option can be bonding, veneers, or crowns.
Types of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening systems can be categorized as follows:
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste generally contains abrasives and detergents in higher amounts to removing tough stains. These toothpastes do not have bleach (sodium hypochlorite) but contain low carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide concentrations, around 1% to 1.5%, to lighten tooth color. This concentration is ample to remove surface stains, and it won’t penetrate the tooth enamel. The whitening toothpaste lightens the tooth color by one or two shades.
Over-the-counter Whitening Gels and Strips
Whitening strips hit the market in the late 80s. These strips offer a thin layer of whitening gel (peroxide gel) on plastic strips shaped to fit the teeth’ buccal surfaces. These gels or strips contain 6 to 10% concentration of hydrogen peroxide and can penetrate fissures and microscopic holes in your enamel and bubble away the stains. Generally, these strips are advised to apply twice a day for 30 minutes for 14 days continuously. These strips are used for teeth whitening Dublin by color by one to two shades.
Whitening gels are applied with a toothbrush and are peroxide-based gels. These, too, have instructions to be used twice a day for 14 days. The results are one or two shades lighter teeth.
Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses also contain hydrogen peroxide to react with the chromogens. One to two shades of improvement can be observed, within 30 days, with the use of twice daily for 60 seconds each.
Tray-based Tooth Whiteners
The tray-and-gel system is a step up in potency and results when it comes to tooth whitening. It contains a concentration of 10% to 15% hydrogen peroxide. The custom tray ensures even application of the gel and can produce impressive results. This tray is worn for 2 to 4 hours a day or maybe keep it overnight.
In-Office Whitening
For quicker results, in-office whitening best. The products contain a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, as high as 35%, than OTC. The gingival tissues are protected before applying the product. These treatments make your teeth a dozen shades brighter. Sometimes, to increase oxidation, heat or intense blue light is used, with the wavelength between 480 nm and 520 nm. The laser is also used by some professionals to speed up the chemical reaction.
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, when used according to manufacturer’s instructions, are the most effective and safest modes of tooth whitening. It’s better to seek professional help before undergoing any procedure. Supervising the Teeth whitening Ireland strategy from any teeth whitening Ireland will reduce potential risk and increase teeth bleaching benefits.