A smile is a fundamental part of our image. It’s a gesture through which we communicate and which speaks of our deepest feelings, our state of mind.
That a beautiful smile gives us security is indisputable. But how to achieve this?
You watch TV and see presenters, actors, and celebrities with picture-perfect smiles and dazzling white teeth. How do they do it? You brush your teeth after every meal, use mouthwash, floss… yet your teeth aren’t as white as you’d like.
Let’s start at the beginning:
Teeth are not absolutely white! Just like that, without anesthesia…
Don’t look for a pure white smile because it doesn’t exist, and if it did, it wouldn’t be natural at all since the color of the tooth is a translucent blue that reflects the yellow of the dentin.
Pero el diente amarillea y mucho. Lo vemos en el espejo, ¿cierto? Ese amarillo ocre terrible que nos parte el alma…Por ello, antes de nada vamos a analizar los:
FACTORS THAT YELLOW OUR SMILE
Because that’s how it is. There are a number of circumstances that darken, stain and stain our teeth:
- Drinking wine, tea, coffee, Coca-Cola
- Smoking
- The intake of certain foods with intense coloring such as: carrots, chocolate, oranges…
- The consumption of certain drugs
- The presence of bacteria
- The use of some mouthwashes or mouthwashes.
- The passage of time. Age.
And for all this…
There is a solution!
First, and before starting a teeth whitening treatment, we must clean our teeth to remove stains, plaque, tartar, etc. from their surface. After the dental hygiene, we move on to the whitening.
There are several treatments to restore whiteness to your teeth. The choice of treatment will depend on the degree of staining or discoloration. Your dentist will suggest the most suitable option, and you will make the final decision. With this in mind, the available solutions are:
- Teeth whitening with veneers: Veneers are custom-made to fit your teeth, placed directly onto them, and a whitening agent is applied to improve their color. This treatment is done at home. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth to create a whitening tray. You will wear this tray at home for 4 to 5 hours a day, and it contains the whitening agent. The treatment takes place over a 15-day period, starting with the upper teeth and then moving to the lower. This allows you to achieve the desired shade and gradually notice the difference in color between your teeth.
- Whitening with toothpaste: This is a very light and superficial whitening, as toothpaste has components that help the tooth appear less yellow; but it does not achieve the result of the advertised smile.
- Laser teeth whitening: This is more expensive than the previous methods, but its results are remarkably visible and immediate. The treatment involves applying hydrogen peroxide to the surface of the tooth with a special light that activates the compound, allowing it to perform the whitening function.
- Internal tooth whitening: A more invasive treatment in which the dental nerve is replaced by a rubber that delivers the whitening substance to the tooth.
During the teeth whitening treatment period, it is advisable to avoid the foods mentioned earlier that stain teeth. This will make the treatment faster and more effective. Regarding tobacco, it should be avoided during the process as it prevents the whitening agent from working properly.
It’s important to note that during teeth whitening treatment, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks due to the hydrogen peroxide. However, this sensitivity will subside once the treatment is complete. If the sensitivity is severe, the treatment can be paused for a few days and then resumed.
It’s important to clarify that sensitivity isn’t a constant issue with treatment. Some people will experience it, and others won’t. That said, those who already suffer from sensitive teeth can undergo hydrogen peroxide treatment, as it won’t necessarily worsen. Even so, in these cases, it’s best to inform your dentist, as they can minimize the problem with a toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive teeth.
Once you achieve the desired whiteness, it is recommended to have a professional dental cleaning every 6 months to remove stains caused by food on your teeth; and to have a whitening touch-up every so often according to your dentist’s recommendations.
Finally, it’s worth noting that teeth whitening is not aggressive on your teeth. It doesn’t wear them down. It’s an absolutely safe treatment that will allow you to smile confidently and the way you like.
