There are numerous ways to whiten teeth, as a matter of fact teeth whitening in Salinas has become one of the more sought after dental procedures. Although it is a reasonably simple and straight forward process it is always best to have a complete oral examination and teeth cleaning, the best results are achieved when there is no plaque or surface stains on the teeth.
Can you get your teeth whitened?
There are certain patients that are not good candidates for teeth whitening, the solution that used must be able to get through to the dentin which is the second layer of the tooth. You might be prevented from using a teeth whitening solution if:
- If your teeth have been restored: Teeth which have been subjected to bonding or have been repaired using white fillings will not be able to benefit from whiteners that contain hydrogen or peroxide. If this process is attempted the teeth which have been restored will not be affected, they will stand out.
- If your teeth have internal staining or if you have had a root canal the affected tooth or teeth may not be affected by the whitening chemicals.
- Teeth with a yellow hue whiten the best; teeth which have a brown or grey hue often do not take the treatment well.
- People who have hypersensitive teeth and expectant mothers must not undergo teeth whitening.
What is the process of teeth whitening?
The top layer of a tooth is the enamel, this is not white as many people think; enamel is actually semi-translucent or clear. The second layer of a tooth is the dentin, the most common tint for the dentin is yellow but it can also be brown or grey. The color that you see when you look at your teeth is actually the dentin; it is visible through the enamel. It is the dentin that is actually whitened; a peroxide solution is applied to the teeth, the pores in the enamel open and the peroxide goes through to the dentin and bleaches it. The result of course is whiter looking teeth.
There are a number of products available for the teeth whitening in Salinas. The best choice is to use professional products and have the treatment done by your dentist; other professional products can be sourced from the dentist and applied at home, the least effective products are over-the-counter whiteners.
Teeth whitening may not result in sparkling white teeth, you must have a realistic expectation. Although there will be a noticeable difference after your first treatment, in the majority of cases it takes several treatments to reach the level of whiteness desired, even at this the process is not permanent. Teeth naturally stain from certain foods and beverages as well as smoking. Brush and floss daily and see your dentist regularly for cleanings and oral examinations.
If you find that your teeth are dull and stained you should discuss the possibility of teeth whitening in Salinas with the dentists at Dental Concepts and Orthodontics.
