What You Need To Know About Teeth Whitening Falls Church VA

By Miranda Sweeney


Tooth whitening is the process of getting rid of discoloration, dullness and stains from the teeth to make them appear whiter. Tooth discoloration can happen due to various factors including aging, cigarette smoke and drinks like coffee, soy sauce, berries and tea. Traumatic injuries and some medications can also stain them. By opting for teeth whitening Falls Church VA dwellers can reverse the effects of tooth discoloration.

Some tooth whitening products include gels, toothpastes and strips. They can make tooth enamel appear several shades whiter but some products have abrasive compounds that can damage tooth enamel. These products may also fail to eliminate some types of stains particularly on tooth enamel that is badly discolored.

To achieve the best results, residents of Falls Church Virginia should opt for professional tooth whitening, which is usually offered by cosmetic dentists. Professional treatments can help reverse the most serious discolorations. The procedure of bleaching teeth is not painful and it does not entail scaling or other invasive treatments.

Most dental practices offer home bleaching kits and laser tooth bleaching. In both processes, peroxide based bleaching compounds of different strengths are used. Gels with a high peroxide concentration are more powerful. These gels are therefore more effective but their potential to cause side effects such as sensitivity or damage to the lips and the surrounding gum tissue is high.

If you opt for laser tooth bleaching, your dentist will utilize bleaching compounds that are activated by light. This procedure can last anywhere from one to two hours and the results will be instant. Your dentist may ask you to use home tooth bleaching kits after undergoing a laser bleaching. Before the laser tooth bleaching procedure is done, this professional will get information from you to determine whether the procedure is suitable for you.

Your cosmetic dentist will inform you about the risks and possible side effects of laser tooth bleaching. You will be asked to sign a consent form as a way of conforming that you understand the procedure and the risks involved. Your teeth will then be cleaned thoroughly by the dentist or dental hygienist in order to get rid of stains. They will then be prepared for the procedure. Your dentist may use a bleaching compound that has a peroxide concentration of about four to six percent.

Prior to performing the procedure, your dentist will ensure that the gums are covered by a protective gel material and a roll of cotton to protect them from any damage that can be caused by the bleaching agents. He or she will also protect your lips and cheeks from damage or burning by using retractors. The professional will then put the bleaching compound on tooth enamel and expose it to light from a laser. When the procedure is completed, the dentist will wash off the whitening compounds and take off the gum protection.

If you opt for professional tooth bleaching kits, your dentist will use special dental putty to take an impression of your teeth. The moulds will be used to cast a model of your mouth from plaster and make custom tooth whitening trays. You will then use the trays together with the bleaching gel that the dentist will provide you with.




About the Author: