The Guide to Brightening Your Smile

From early childhood, we were taught the importance of brushing teeth and the impact of brushing style on dental health and brightness. Incorrect maintenance, including consuming foods with artificial colors, caffeine, or sweets, directly affects the health and color of teeth.

Aside from cleaning, whitening is another process to keep teeth white; it can be done at home or professionally by a dentist. This thorough treatment is designed to remove the stains that accumulate over the years.

Here are some tips to help you understand more about the tooth whitening process and its suitability, and perhaps even give you a beautiful smile:

1. The use of hydrogen peroxide, which whitens the internal pigmentation of the tooth, usually does not harm the tooth unless used excessively, left on for too long or too short a time.

2. After whitening, avoid consuming foods with natural or artificial colors as it may reduce the whitening's effectiveness.

3. Sensitivity to heat or cold may occur post-whitening but usually subsides after a few days.

4. The main difference between home whitening like brushing with baking soda and professional whitening in certified clinics lies in the material and its concentration. Additionally, professional whitening has the option to speed up the active material using advanced equipment.

5. It is important to remember that whitening is not suitable for all ages. To avoid damaging the tooth nerve, dentists recommend starting whitening from age 15 and up.

6. The active material may cause gum burns if used immoderately, but the damage is usually not significant and results in temporary pain.

In conclusion, if this process seems right for you, know that its effects depend on the cleanliness of your teeth. Before starting, it is important to visit a dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning, removing decay and tartar that has accumulated on the gums.