This is information you can use. The following report includes some fascinating information about Teeth Whitening:
Tooth bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure, especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Many people consider white teeth to be an attractive feature of a smile. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker, appearing stained. This darkening is due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by tobacco, and food stuff. White teeth are associated with being more youthful. This has been made more apparent with the spread of American culture worldwide, where an especially white smile is often called a "Hollywood smile." The procedure to bleach teeth uses oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidizing agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidizes interprismatic stain deposits. Over a period of time, the dentine layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached.
There are two main methods of bleaching:
The first method involves applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent for a short period of time, which is the so-called office bleach. This produces quick results but risks chemical burns to the soft tissues. Therefore, most in-office bleaching procedures use a light-cured protective layer that is carefully painted on the gums and papilla (the tips of the gums between the teeth). The bleaching agent is either carbamide peroxide, which breaks down in the mouth to form hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide itself. The bleaching gel typically contains up to 35% hydrogen peroxide equivalent. The second method involves using a thin mouthguard or strip to hold a low concentration of oxidizing agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days. This is known as take-home or over-the-counter bleaching. This is a slower process but has fewer risks to the soft tissues. The bleaching agent is typically less than 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent. Tooth bleaching can produce dramatic improvements in the cosmetic appearance of most stained teeth, however some stains are stubborn to bleaching. Tetracycline staining may require prolonged bleaching, as it takes longer for the bleach to reach the dentine layer. White-spot decalcifications may also be highlighted and become more noticeable. Recently, the laser method has been tried to to accelerate the bleaching process. Studies have shown varying results as to how effective this light-activated bleaching method can be. Side effects of tooth bleaching can include:
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