When a patient has discolored teeth, it drastically changes the way they look and their self-confidence.  Tooth discoloration could easily be a thing of the past for you. Welch Dental Group has only the latest innovations in tooth whitening procedures. Looking to get a beaming white smile? Let’s make it happen.

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening is the process of restoring the teeth’s natural color. At the Welch Dental Group, tooth whitening is carried out using a bleaching method that utilizes a carbamide peroxide base reacting with water to produce hydrogen peroxide, which is a powerful whitening agent.

What are the causes of tooth discoloration?

Generally, the teeth become more discolored with age because of the changes in the mineral structure of the enamel. The most common causes of tooth discoloration are the following:

• Food items such as coffee, cola, red wine, tea, and even vegetables that contain pigments such as carotenoids
• Certain medication like tetracycline, chlorhexidine
• Smoking and other tobacco products
• Oral conditions including fluorosis and enamel hypoplasia

 How does it work?

Hydrogen peroxide, when used in tooth whitening, is able to penetrate the porous structure of the enamel so that it can break down the stain buildup on the surface, as well as on the dentin layer, of the teeth. This reagent reacts to the intraoral bleaching blue light that accelerates the process, giving the patient whiter teeth in no time.

What happens during a tooth whitening process?

First, your dentist uses a shade template that will determine the extent of whitening needed.  To begin the process, the dentist applies a layer of protective gel over the gums and other tissues inside the patient’s mouth, the lips, and adjacent skin. The bleaching agent will be applied directly onto the teeth. Subsequently, your teeth are exposed to the intraoral blue light to accelerate the reaction. This type of treatment will last between 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the extent of whitening that needs to be achieved.