Stained teeth may distract from your best qualities; they can cause embarrassment and a lack of self-esteem. Just about everyone wishes they had whiter teeth. Fortunately, there is an easy, painless way to make your teeth whiter with bleaching - a dental technique that can give you a dazzling, bright smile! Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that safely removes the discolorations of tooth enamel.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure designed to remove stains and discoloration , as well as lighten pigmentation within the teeth. The level of whiteness that can be achieved by teeth bleaching will depend on the level of discoloration of the teeth and how they came to be stained. Regardless, your teeth will be noticeably whiter after bleaching.

What causes discoloration of the teeth?

Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications (tetracycline), coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.

Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual's teeth.

Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth.

Professional teeth whitening techniques:

• In-office bleaching
• At-home application of tooth whitening gel.

Both of these teeth bleaching methods are done under a dentist's supervision, so the chance of negative side effects is reduced.

In-office bleaching The LED Tooth Whitening Procedure

In just one visit, you can have a stunningly smile with our LED (blue light) bleaching techniques.

For those who do not want to bother with the tray and bleaching gel at home, our tooth whitening or LED bleaching service is an alternative. This is done entirely in the dentist's office.

The cosmetic dentist begins by cleaning each tooth to remove plaque. Once the plaque has been removed, the dentist covers the patient's gums with a protective barrier and applies a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gel onto the teeth. A blue light activates the peroxide gel. The gel stays on the teeth for about 40 minutes,

and then is rinsed off. The patient must not eat or drink staining foods for several days because the teeth are still "highly oxygenated" from our tooth whitening process.

 
At-Home Tooth Whitening

Tooth bleaching kits take approximately two to three weeks to accomplish the desired level of whiteness and must be used under the supervision of a dentist.

Using Tooth Whitening Gel. The dentist begins the tooth whitening process by checking the teeth for cavities . The tooth whitening gel could damage teeth with cavities in them. If cavities are found, they will be repaired before tooth whitening begins. If no cavities are found, the teeth will be cleaned to remove plaque and take impression for custom tray, a mouth tray will be custom fitted. The dentist will then provide a peroxide-based tooth whitening gel. The mouth tray should be filled with the tooth whitening gel and worn overnight for two to three weeks.

 
How long does tooth whitening last?

Tooth whitening should last for approximately 18 months to 3 years. The length of time depends on your eating, drinking and smoking habits: tea, coffee, red wine and smoking cause teeth to discolour more.

Whether you are self-conscious because of yellowed teeth from smoking or drinking coffee - or just want to look your best - whitening your teeth is a sure way to brighten your smile and gain increased confidence in your appearance