Teeth whitening - Basic information

Very few people are gifted with naturally brilliant, white teeth. Those are the teeth you will see in advertisements, televison and magazines. But nowadays, white teeth are available to anyone. Drugstores have many teeth whitening products in stock, so that everyone can have whiter teeth.

Discolored teeth, why?

Many factors affect the color of teeth. Age, smoking, tea, coffee, wine, certain foods and even some antibiotics cause staining and discoloration. Here is where teeth whitening comes in. Teeth whitening is the process of lightening the natural color of your teeth without scraping any of the tooth surfaces.

Options for teeth whitening

There are many available options for teeth whitening.

The length and frequency of the required treatment depends upon the used method. From 30 minutes to four weeks and several visits to the dentist before the treatment is finished. The cost of teeth whitening procedures varies greatly.

Long term results

Some results of teeth whitening procedures could last for a long time, depending again on the procedure you use and on your lifestyle. The teeth whitening procedure cannot control if you go on smoking, or drinking tea and coffee or eat products that can stain your teeth.
People who undergo teeth whitening procedures usually suffer from sensitivity to hot or cold during or after the treatment but this is just passing. Other people will also experience minor discomfort in gums or in the mouth but again, these side effects are just temporary. If side effects continue, you should consult your dentist.