Nobody likes to have a smile that resembles that of Gollum from Lord of the Rings; a yellow-toothed smile is the most feared social stigma in today’s world. There are various reasons for a yellow or stained smile.
It can be caused by external factors like wine, tea, coffee, cola, smoking, certain medication or it could be hereditary. The procedure used by dentists to remove staining and yellowness is known as bleaching. Aging is another culprit, as enamel wears down the yellower dentin that lies beneath becomes visible. But, bleaching does work on older teeth, too.
If you are in New York and are looking for professional tooth whitening treatment, Upper East Side is the best place to find a good orthodontist. If time is a luxury there are many dental clinics that provide ‘take-home teeth whitening’ wherein, the patient is provided with a take-home whitening kit which begins to show results within two to four weeks. While it’s tricky to say how long the results of tooth whitening will last, regular brushing and timely visits to the dentist would ensure long-lasting results.
How do you decide if you’re not a candidate for teeth whitening? Look for any of the following circumstances:
Age and pregnancy issues.
Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive. Also, teeth whitening are not recommended in pregnant or lactating women.
Sensitive teeth and allergies to products.
Individuals with sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums and/or defective restorations should consult with their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product.
Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots.
Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth whitening procedure. Cavities need to be treated before undergoing any whitening procedure. This is because the whitening solutions penetrate into any existing decay and the inner areas of the tooth, which can cause sensitivity. Also, whitening procedures will not work on exposed tooth roots because roots do not have an enamel layer.
Fillings, crowns and other restorations.
Tooth-colored fillings and resin composite materials used in dental restorations (crowns, veneers, bonding, bridges) do not whiten. Therefore, using a whitening agent on teeth that do and do not contain restorations will results in uneven whitening–in this case, making the teeth without restorations appear lighter than those with restorations. Any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of composite fillings, bonding, veneers, crowns, dentures, or porcelain restorations in order to best match the degree of whitening to your new tooth color.
Unrealistic expectations.
Individuals who expect their teeth to be a new "blinding white" may be disappointed with their results. Smokers need to be aware that their results will be limited unless they refrain from continued smoking, particularly during the bleaching process.
It is advisable to have one common Family Dentist Upper East Side because a good rapport between the dentist and the patient is a pre-requisite for successful and desirable results post any dental treatments. Cheers to a whiter tomorrow!
It can be caused by external factors like wine, tea, coffee, cola, smoking, certain medication or it could be hereditary. The procedure used by dentists to remove staining and yellowness is known as bleaching. Aging is another culprit, as enamel wears down the yellower dentin that lies beneath becomes visible. But, bleaching does work on older teeth, too.
If you are in New York and are looking for professional tooth whitening treatment, Upper East Side is the best place to find a good orthodontist. If time is a luxury there are many dental clinics that provide ‘take-home teeth whitening’ wherein, the patient is provided with a take-home whitening kit which begins to show results within two to four weeks. While it’s tricky to say how long the results of tooth whitening will last, regular brushing and timely visits to the dentist would ensure long-lasting results.
How do you decide if you’re not a candidate for teeth whitening? Look for any of the following circumstances:
Age and pregnancy issues.
Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive. Also, teeth whitening are not recommended in pregnant or lactating women.
Sensitive teeth and allergies to products.
Individuals with sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums and/or defective restorations should consult with their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product.
Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots.
Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth whitening procedure. Cavities need to be treated before undergoing any whitening procedure. This is because the whitening solutions penetrate into any existing decay and the inner areas of the tooth, which can cause sensitivity. Also, whitening procedures will not work on exposed tooth roots because roots do not have an enamel layer.
Fillings, crowns and other restorations.
Tooth-colored fillings and resin composite materials used in dental restorations (crowns, veneers, bonding, bridges) do not whiten. Therefore, using a whitening agent on teeth that do and do not contain restorations will results in uneven whitening–in this case, making the teeth without restorations appear lighter than those with restorations. Any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of composite fillings, bonding, veneers, crowns, dentures, or porcelain restorations in order to best match the degree of whitening to your new tooth color.
Unrealistic expectations.
Individuals who expect their teeth to be a new "blinding white" may be disappointed with their results. Smokers need to be aware that their results will be limited unless they refrain from continued smoking, particularly during the bleaching process.
It is advisable to have one common Family Dentist Upper East Side because a good rapport between the dentist and the patient is a pre-requisite for successful and desirable results post any dental treatments. Cheers to a whiter tomorrow!
