A bright, white smile is a desired attribute for many people as it can boost self-confidence and improve aesthetic appearance. However, over time, factors such as the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, as well as aging, can cause teeth to become darker or stained. It is at times like these that teeth whitening treatment becomes an attractive option. In this article we will explain in depth what teeth whitening is, its process and the types of treatments available.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that seeks to lighten and whiten teeth, removing stains and discolorations. It is often performed by applying chemicals or whitening substances to the surface of the teeth. This treatment can be performed in the dental office or at home with whitening kits.

Teeth whitening treatment process

The teeth whitening process generally involves the following steps:

Initial evaluation: Before treatment begins, it is important that a dentist performs a dental evaluation to determine if the patient is a good candidate for whitening. Oral health is also checked and underlying dental problems are ruled out.
Dental cleaning: In many cases, a professional teeth cleaning is recommended before whitening begins. This ensures that the surface of the teeth is free of plaque and tartar, which can interfere with the whitening process.
Choice of bleaching method: There are several options for teeth whitening, and the choice will depend on the patient's preferences and the dentist's recommendation. Options include in-office whitening and at-home whitening with kits provided by the dentist.
Whitening in the dental office: For in-office whitening, the dentist applies a whitening gel to the teeth and uses a special light source or laser to activate and accelerate the process. This method is usually faster and can achieve immediate results in a single session.
Whitening at home: In the case of at-home whitening, the dentist provides a customized whitening kit that includes whitening trays and whitening gel. The patient fills the trays with the gel and places them on the teeth for a specific period of time each day, usually for several weeks.
Follow-up and results: After the treatment is completed, an evaluation is performed to determine the degree of whitening and whether additional treatments are necessary.

Types of teeth whitening treatments

There are several types of teeth whitening treatments and the choice depends on the patient's needs and the dentist's recommendations. The main types of teeth whitening treatments are:

In-office teeth whitening: As mentioned above, this method is performed in the dentist's office and is usually the fastest and most effective. The dentist applies a whitening gel to the teeth and uses a light source or laser to activate the whitening. The results are usually visible immediately.
Tooth whitening with customized trays: This is an at-home whitening method, where the dentist provides the patient with customized whitening trays that are filled with whitening gel. The patient uses the trays for a specified period each day, usually for several weeks.
Laser teeth whitening or LED light: This method uses a special light source to activate the whitening gel applied to the teeth. Although it can speed up the process, it is not necessarily more effective than other methods.

Conclusion

Teeth whitening is an effective and safe solution to restore a whiter and brighter smile. If you want to become a teeth whitening treatment in Granada make an appointment now at the B&J Dental Clinic.