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Dr. Arabella Michelén
Sunday, October 13, 2024
One of the most requested aesthetic dental treatments is whitening. Sometimes patients tend to ignore cavities and gum disease and go to the dentist because they want to have white teeth. It is important to clarify, achieving a beautiful, shiny smile means that it is healthy.
Teeth whitening can be defined as the treatment whose objective is to lighten teeth, either by removing stains, products of external causes, such as the consumption of food and drinks, for example: red wine, coffee, tea; habits such as smoking, poor hygiene, among others. When the stains are of intrinsic origin, other treatments are generally needed prior to whitening to obtain better results. Care and proper hygiene are excellent allies to prolong the effectiveness of teeth whitening.
Since ancient times, civilizations have given great importance to physical appearance, without a doubt the smile is a vital part of the facial frame, this is how teeth whitening was bet on with home elements: the Romans used pumice stone, others, ash, charcoal, herbs, lemon, bicarbonate; while it is true that some of these eliminated dental stains, others cause abrasion and wear, especially of tooth enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity.
Today, thanks to scientific advances and studies, supported by prestigious universities, research centers and universities, there are excellent products on the market that allow the patient to enjoy good results, with minimal side effects.
The correct term is to lighten, not whiten; teeth range from greyish, yellowish to whitish tones; which are closely related to genetics. So taking a tooth from a greyish tone to white with a simple dental whitening treatment is probably impossible and will certainly not match the rest of the physiognomy of that individual. It should never be forgotten that teeth are part of a human being and their colour, shape, and size must match the rest of the face.
Before teeth whitening, the mouth must be clean, free of dental caries, periodontal disease, exposed tooth necks and a very important factor is that the patient does not have dental sensitivity. In case the patient has veneers, inlays, dental prostheses, the dentist will tell the patient that these do not respond to the treatment as natural teeth do.
Some important observations are:
⁃ Each individual will respond to teeth whitening differently, even if the same technique is applied and the same material is used. Remember, we are unique and unrepeatable.
⁃ Prior to whitening, the oral health professional will perform a thorough examination and clinical history, if other previous treatments are necessary.
⁃ The treatment process is not painful.
⁃ Sometimes tooth sensitivity may appear as a side effect.
⁃ The effects of teeth whitening tend to fade over time, especially when habits and customs are not changed,
⁃ It is important to follow your dentist's instructions to the letter.
⁃ Nothing replaces proper oral hygiene.
Remember that teeth whitening is an excellent tool for the beauty of your smile, as long as it is handled by expert hands.
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