What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

Tooth whitening Richmond is the most popular and in-demand cosmetic dental treatment because it instantly improves how your teeth and smile looks without the use of complicated methods. Given that teeth are very much susceptible to discoloration and staining from smoking and consuming food, drinks, or medications that stain teeth, teeth whitening procedures are a godsend. 

You have two main options for teeth whitening: in-office whitening by dentists Richmond or in the comfort of your home. In-office teeth whitening are typically more expensive, but it generally takes only 1-3 sessions as the dentist uses a more powerful whitening agent. For in-office whitening, first, your dentist needs to take a digital photograph of your teeth for monitoring and comparison purposes. The dentist will also check your teeth and find out what causes the staining. Next, the dentist or a dental hygienist will clean your teeth to remove plaque, bacteria, food particles, and other substances stuck on your teeth and that contribute to staining. It’s only after thorough teeth cleaning that the actual whitening procedure begins.

There are two types of in-office whitening procedures—vital whitening and non-vital whitening. Vital tooth whitening is done on teeth with existing live nerves, while non-vital whitening is done when you have teeth that have undergone root canal treatment and therefore, no longer have live nerves. 

Non-vital whitening whitens the teeth from the inside. The dentist will put a whitening agent inside the tooth and put a temporary filling over it. You may need to have this done only once or multiple times until your teeth have reached your desired shade. 

In vital tooth whitening, first, the dentist will apply a substance that covers and protects the gums surrounding the teeth. This is followed by the application of the whitening agent directly on the teeth, which is usually a gel-like solution containing hydrogen peroxide. The dentist then uses a specialised laser light and focuses it on your teeth. The light will activate the whitening agent and jumpstart the bleaching process. Each session usually lasts 30-90 minutes. The number of sessions you need would also depend on how white you want your teeth to be and how difficult the stains are to remove. If your teeth are badly discoloured, your dentist may suggest that you continue whitening treatment at home for a few days up to a few weeks. 

If you opt for whitening at home, your dentist will still take impressions of your lower and upper teeth to make custom mouthpieces or trays that fit your teeth. Each mouthpiece or tray contains whitening gel. That’s why the mouthpiece needs to be a perfect fit to help the whitening agent remain in contact with your teeth the whole time you’re wearing it. These whitening trays are used for several hours daily for 1-2 weeks, or longer, depending on the shade of white you want to achieve. Make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions to avoid misusing and damaging your teeth or mouth.   

Take note that teeth whitening are not a permanent solution. Teeth are still prone to staining, especially if you do not actively avoid those substances that cause staining. If this is the case, the whitening effect may fade within a month. If you avoid the sources of staining and consistently practice good dental and oral hygiene, it may take you 6 months to a year to need another teeth whitening treatment by your dentist in Richmond.