The
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Holywood Smile
Maybe you blame your morning coffee, or then again, it could be that extra glass of red wine. No matter the culprit, your teeth look visibly yellow and you’d like to do something about it. What are your options?
W
hen you can’t make a splurge at the dentist’s office on a professional
whitening treatment, or just don’t have the time or access to a dentist but want to keep that dazzling smile going….at-home teeth whitening products are the next best thing. Whether you prefer whitening strips, gels, pens, or kits, there’s a treatment out there for everyone to achieve a whiter smile without pain or sensitivity.
Why do teeth turn yellow? As you get older, the white enamel on the teeth becomes worn. When this happens, the calcified tissue underneath starts to show through. This tissue is called dentin, and it has a yellowish colour. However, staining can be reduced by avoiding: coffee, red wine, smoking and plaque built-up can be reduced by avoiding sugary foods, brushing regularly and using a mouthwash.
So, what are the DIY options? • Whitening toothpastes contain polishing or chemical agents designed to improve tooth appearance by removing surface stains, as well as lightening the colour of your teeth.
• Whitening strips are made of flexible plastic that mould to the teeth, and the whitening formula they contain breaks down and oxidizes into the teeth to whiten them.
• Whitening pens contain high quality teeth whitening gel, and their ease of application makes them one of the more convenient teeth whitening options.
• Whitening trays are an effective method of whitening, but experts recommend using custom-fitted mouth trays made by your dentist. If they aren’t fitted properly, the tooth whitening gel can leak out of the trays, and avoid putting too much gel in the trays so as to not burn your gums.
BUSTED
Certain health and wellbeing trends can attract viral fame, often helped by influencers promoting them on social media - but not all of them are proven to work. Just be aware that if one of the ‘well educated’ celebs is promoting a teeth whitening product, how much research do you think she’s actually done, and does she even use it? They probably photoshop their teeth as well.
One of these famous health trends that received massive airtime on every social media platform was the miracle of charcoal and its incredible benefits to just about every body part…. Well, it has just been busted by research published in the British Dental Journal. According to the study, not only does activated charcoal toothpaste not whiten your teeth — it may discolour them,
seriously damage both your gums and your enamel, and even cause tooth loss.
Teeth whitening products, which you can use at home, have come a long way in the past few years. But make sure they’re medically licensed or approved by a dentist. It’s just not worth experimenting with anything that looks or feels unprofessional.
How white will my teeth go?
You would generally expect to see an improvement of 5-10 shades
from teeth whitening involving an in-clinic treatment and about 50% of that with a DIY kit.
6
Will teeth whitening get rid of stains?
Yes but it is important to have
stained teeth cleaned first by a dentist or hygienist.
96 | AUTUMN 2019 | ONBOARD
So, how does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening works by
lightening teeth from the inside out. The whitening solution
usually contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. sustained for the long term.
Legal level of hydrogen peroxide In UK (due to EU regulations)
they use a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution. In USA they can use 25% or more, however this can burn gums and cause sensitivity.
Does LED light treatment actually work?
The whitening lamps used in clinics are of a very high grade so get good results but the LED lights at home are generally not of the same quality. The lights activate these gels so it is important to have a good one.
Will it make my teeth sensitive? People with sensitive teeth can
have their teeth whitened but are advised to use a desensitising paste first. The whitening does not damage the teeth but can cause teeth sensitivity. The desensitising toothpastes help
to reduce or eliminate any teeth or nerve sensitivity from the whitening gels.
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