For some people, a healthy, white smile evokes confidence and poise. Cosmetic dentists all over the nation help to restore self-assurance to patients with lackluster smiles by using whitening and bleaching techniques. By considering age, different techniques, and overall oral hygiene, an individual can best assess which form of teeth whitening is most beneficial to specific cases.
As people age, the white enamel on the surface of teeth erodes away with natural use, chewing, and grinding. Beneath the white enamel lies a layer in teeth known as dentin, which is darker and more yellow in natural color. Although whitening teeth in older patients is a bit more difficult, it is not impossible. Many stains are topical, or extrinsic, and can be more easily removed with the aid of dental hygienists’ cleaning or simple and less potent whitening methods, such as whitening toothpaste or mouthwash. Some stains causing tooth discoloration are deeper than the surface, known therefore as intrinsic stains, and require a more prominent method of whitening or bleaching under the special care of a registered dentist.
The ADA and FDA acknowledge a difference in terms both whitening and bleaching when in use referring to brightening the color of teeth. Whitening refers to restoring the teeth’s natural color by removing debris and stains on the tooth surface without means of peroxide or peroxide products. Bleaching systems, on the other hand, involve the use of different types and concentrations of peroxide to actually brighten, whiten, and change the color of the teeth. Professional dentists and technicians who whiten teeth with in-office systems, use high amounts of peroxide for a limited amount of time for a deep white hue, with long-lasting effects.
Although more expensive, dental office teeth whitening has longer lasting effects and reaches deeper into teeth to erase unsightly stains than at home whitening kits and solutions. Over the counter products are more affordable, but less effective in comparison to the dental office whitening. Both methods however have few side effects ranging from tooth and gum sensitivity to a temporary slight white discoloration of the gum-line. Although side effects are not harmful, they sometimes leave the patient in minor discomfort lasting only for a few days.
Teeth whitening is an easy solution to increase self-esteem and confidence, so finding a trustworthy dentist can help to begin the process. As a general, family, and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Ash, located in Studio City, helps California residents to have whiter, brighter smiles, in addition to healthy oral hygiene. For information about Dr. Ash’s Studio Dental Care practice, office staff, or other services offered please feel free to contact Dr. Ash today.
By Alexander Ash, DDS
Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.