Important Facts About Teeth Whitening Falls Church VA

By Miranda Sweeney


Tooth whitening is the process of getting rid of discoloration, dullness and stains from the teeth to make them appear whiter. Tooth discoloration can happen due to various factors including aging, cigarette smoke and drinks like coffee, soy sauce, berries and tea. Traumatic injuries and some medications can also stain them. By opting for teeth whitening Falls Church VA dwellers can reverse the effects of tooth discoloration.

Several tooth bleaching agents are available. They include strips, toothpastes and gels. Although they can make the tooth enamel appear whiter, some of these products have abrasive substances, which can lead to wearing away of the enamel. Some of them are also not able to eliminate stains especially if the teeth are pitted or badly discolored.

As a resident of this city, you can get the best results if you choose to visit a cosmetic dentist. With professional treatments, most serious discolorations can be reversed. You will not experience pain during the tooth bleaching process since no scaling or other invasive treatments will be performed.

Most dental practices offer laser tooth bleaching and professional home bleaching kits. Both of them are based on a bleaching process that utilizes peroxide based bleaching gels of varying strength. Gels that have a higher concentration of peroxide are more powerful. Even though a higher concentration of gel is more effective, it also has a higher potential to cause side effects like damage or sensitivity to surrounding gum tissue and the lips.

Laser tooth bleaching utilizes light activated bleaching gels to whiten tooth enamel. Dentists usually complete this procedure within one to two hours and the bleaching results are instant. Most dentists recommend that patients who undergo laser bleaching also utilize professional tooth bleaching kits. Before laser tooth whitening is performed, patients consult with a dentist to ensure that they are suitable for the procedure.

Dentists also explain the possible side effects and risks of laser tooth whitening to patients. They usually request patients to sign a consent form to confirm that they have understood the procedure and all the risks involved. Before the procedure begins, hygienists or dentists clean the teeth of a patient thoroughly to remove surface stains and tar. They then prepare the area for the procedure and use a bleaching compound that contains a peroxide concentration of about 4 to 6 percent.

As they perform laser tooth bleaching, dentists usually place some form of protection such as a roll of cotton and protective gel material around the gums to ensure that they do not get damaged by the bleaching compound. They also use cheek retractors to prevent potential burning or damage to the cheeks and lips. They then apply the bleaching gel to tooth enamel and expose it to a laser. After the procedure, they wash off the bleaching gels and remove the gum protection.

If you choose to utilize a home bleaching kit, your cosmetic dentist will use a dental putty to take the mould or impression of your teeth. He or she will then produce a replica of your mouth from plaster and create customized tooth whitening trays from the same. After the trays are ready, you can use them along with the whitening agent that the professional will provide.




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