Teeth Whitening Treatments & Methods

Today, more and more people are leaning towards teeth whitening for a brighter and more beautiful smile. While some choose their local dentist’s office or a closeby dental clinic for teeth whitening options, some opt for renowned teeth whitening clinics abroad. What is teeth whitening? How long does it last? Is it safe? Here is everything you need to know about teeth whitening and more.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a bleaching method that ultimately makes your teeth lighter. While most teeth whitening procedures are able to lighten the existing color of your teeth by several shades, it is safe to say that no teeth whitening professional would be able to make your teeth exclusively white.For the safest and successful results, a teeth whitening dentist should be the only one conducting this procedure. Teeth whitening is considered a dental procedure and should only be carried out by a regulated dental professional, a dental therapist, or a dental hygienist. Even though there are numerous ways you can whiten your teeth at home with DIY teeth whitening products, it is always best to seek professional help and let the experts do their job.

Various Teeth Whitening Methods

There are two main options you can turn to when looking into various teeth whitening methods. These include bleaching and non-bleaching procedures. Although teeth whitening and teeth bleaching are commonly confused terms that are used interchangeably, it is important to note that the term “bleaching” only refers to methods used with products containing medical bleach. “Whitening”, on the other hand, is used for procedures that remove food or debris from the surface of teeth without the help of bleach or bleaching products.Most bleaching products contain hydrogen peroxide, a material that helps remove both deep stains and cosmetic surface decolorization to make the teeth an even lighter shade than their natural ones. Hydrogen peroxide, being the actual bleaching agent, is solely used in professional dental practices; therefore, you cannot purchase these types of teeth whitening products over-the-counter. Experts recommend teeth whitening be done only via a dentist or an expert dental clinic to achieve the healthiest and long-lasting results.In-office teeth whitening is the term used when referring to teeth whitening at a dentist’s office. Best teeth whitening solutions can be offered when done by your dentist, in which you can achieve much stronger and effective results than using at-home whitening kits. Heat, light, or a combination of both are usually used to speed up and intensify the teeth whitening process. While whitening your teeth at home may require a few days or – in some cases – a few weeks, consulting a medical professional will get you the results you have been looking for in about 30 minutes to 1 hour.Receiving teeth whitening from dentists has additional benefits, including immediate assistance when needed, sterile and hygienic workspace, a professional outtake on whitening procedures, as well as high-quality customer service. Although the prices of teeth whitening services may vary depending on the techniques used and the dentist’s experience, usually, the cost of in-office teeth whitening can range from $500 to $1500.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Although the whitening process itself takes a couple of hours, the completion of the process from start to finish may last a couple of months and may cost you several visits to your dentist’s office. During the first appointment, your dentist will take a visual impression of your teeth in order to prepare a mouthguard that will help you use the bleaching gel. You will then be asked to use the mouthguard at home and regularly apply the bleaching gel over the course of 2 to 4 weeks. The exact instructions on how much gel to use and how long to keep it on your teeth will be thoroughly provided by your dental professional.In case you opt for laser teeth whitening, in other words, teeth whitening with light (also known as “power whitening”), you will most probably visit your dentist just once, where they will apply a bleaching product on your teeth and use laser solutions to activate the whitening process. Taking approximately 1 hour, this type of teeth whitening method is considered the most effective and productive method yet.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Before you research your options on teeth whitening at dentist offices, you need to know that teeth whitening is not a permanent solution for your teeth. The duration of the teeth whitening effect can vary between a couple of months to a couple of years.While this period may change from person to person, smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages, and not caring for your regular oral health may cause early staining in your teeth, shortening the lifespan of your newly whitened teeth. In order to achieve long-lasting results, it is important to brush your teeth on a regular basis, stay away from smoking and drinking tea or coffee in the long run, and make sure not to postpone your regular dentist appointments.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

When conducted by an expert, teeth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dentistry options out there. During and a short time after the treatment, there is a slight risk that your gums will become more sensitive due to the chemicals used during the procedure. However, this sensation is likely to go away after a few days, leaving you with a healthy, beautiful, and white smile. When using teeth whitening kits at home, these over-the-counter products run the risk of burning your gums and harming your tooth enamel. That is why it is important always to seek professional help first and leave the job to the pros.

Teeth Whitening Dentists Abroad

If you are looking for options for teeth whitening abroad, you are not the only one. More and more patients choose to conduct their cosmetic dentistry procedures abroad, with leading medical tourism countries offering affordable prices and high-quality patient service throughout the process. To learn more about your teeth whitening options abroad, click here and find out the most popular medical destinations that offer teeth whitening solutions.