About Teeth Whitening
If the face is a theatre, the lips are the curtains, then the teeth are the actors. Today we live in a very beauty conscious world. Our appearance has become an important component of our success. The well-known saying, “A Million Dollar Smile” has become a reality today and all of us have the desire to possess pearly white teeth.
In reality, various methods have been used to brighten and whiten teeth. Some methods have proved successful, but more often disastrous both in terms of results and permanent damage to teeth. Some such miracle methods included rubbing vinegar or fresh lemon juice on the tooth’s surface. This resulted in acidic erosion of the tooth enamel making the teeth look white but in actual fact the teeth turn chalky and dull and sensitive to cold foods.
Dentists have been offering whitening procedures which are effective and certainly not detrimental to the future health of the teeth. These methods include use of oxidizing agents to clean the surface of the teeth much like bleaching clothes. Here a ‘peroxide’ such as a highly concentrated Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide is applied on the tooth surface. This infuses oxygen onto the prismatic structure of the enamel and gives it a bright white appearance. The point to note here is that nothing is taken away from the tooth structure, hence no damage is done to the tooth surface. These procedures have now been refined and made quick and simple. What used to take 3 to 4 sittings spread over a weeks duration has now been reduced to a single sitting. It has now become a very comfortable procedure. The effects are instantly visible and appreciated. New technology uses specially designed ‘ crystal lights’ to activate the peroxide compound that hastens the bleaching procedure. Whitening with ‘crystal light ‘ activated compounds are now routinely indicated for people with discoloured teeth, unevenly shaded teeth, and those who desire to have a “Million Dollar Smile” and a whole new personality.
