Surely, you've seen the people in toothpaste TV commercials that have those sparkling white teeth. If it's not from video editing then chances are those people have undergone tooth bleaching (also called tooth whitening). Tooth bleaching is a common procedure done by cosmetic dentists to whiten teeth that have been stained inside. Unlike extrinsic staining that can be removed or whitened by professional (dental) cleaning, stains inside the teeth can only be removed by bleaching.

What causes teeth to darken? There are a lot of things that cause tooth discoloration making teeth very hard to maintain. The most common cause would be ingesting staining substances such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Smoking cigarettes and tobaccos contributes a lot to teeth discoloration since they are also staining substances. Even if you don't smoke or rarely drink coffee or tea, genetics and aging would still play a role in discoloration. Antibiotic staining, excessive fluoride (the substance included in toothpaste), and old fillings also contribute in teeth discoloration.

There are two types of tooth staining: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic staining, or staining outside the teeth, can be easily removed by using whitening toothpaste or having it cleaned by a dentist. After having your teeth professionally cleaned by the dentist and the color remains yellowish, then the discoloration must be caused by intrinsic staining. Intrinsic staining can only be remedied by tooth bleaching (tooth whitening) since the stain is inside the teeth.

Tooth whitening is done by putting whitening gel in a tray that fits over the teeth. Whitening gel contains carbamide peroxide that breaks down and allows oxygen to enter the enamel and bleaches the inside of the tooth. There should be no worries in regards to the process as nothing is changed inside the tooth and should only whiten it.

The important part of the procedure is to make sure the tray fits perfectly. Although there are "take-home" or "over-the-counter" bleaching, it is certainly better to visit a Provo cosmetic dentist to ensure that the process will get the best results. They use accurate models of your teeth by custom fitting whitening trays can be made. A visit to a cosmetic dentist like a cosmetic dentist Provo has would be a good idea for a checkup.

Not all kinds of discolored teeth go well with tooth bleaching. Yellowish teeth are okay but grayish teeth will not usually get the best results. Furthermore, age plays a factor in the duration and difficulty of the process. Teenagers who undergo the process would get immediate results but older people may require more maintenance. People in their fifties may have stains that are difficult to remove but it's still possible to achieve the best results. Eating and drinking habits, as well as smoking affect the longevity of whitened teeth. It is best to avoid staining substances for a week after the whitening process.

There are a few risks involved in teeth whitening as well. The most common among them is sensitivity to temperature and pressure. It is more likely to occur to an in-patient rather than someone who used over-the-counter bleaching kits since bleach from a dentist's office has higher concentration than over-the-counter ones. Sensitivity usually lasts for a few days but may take a month for some people. There are toothpastes that are designed for sensitive teeth so using one would be best. Another risk is gum irritation that lasts for a few days. This usually occurs after using peroxide whiteners.