Someone who may decide to get their teeth whitened may wish to undergo this cosmetic dentistry for several reasons, the most common being to improve the aesthetics of their smile and therefore their self-confidence. An individual who may have stains from coffee, or smoking, may wish to improve the look of their smile through teeth whitening in Bedford. Tooth whitening can be done in several ways, one of which being removing existing stains, and the other being the alteration of the shade of the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is the most common way to alter the shade of the teeth, this is known as bleaching. Extrinsic staining is any staining of the teeth through environmental factors. Environmental factors which may affect the colour of the teeth consist of highly pigmented food and drinks such as coffee, as well as frequent smoking. Other compounds which may cause the teeth to appear stained consist of metals such as iron and copper, as well as antibiotics. 

How would I go about removing extrinsic staining? 

Certain toothpastes may contain peroxide as well as abrasive material in order to attempt to remove any extrinsic stains. Micro-abrasion is a method that can only be used within a dental office and works by emitting a powder, water and air to attempt to remove staining as well as biofilm. Individuals may wish to whiten their teeth at home in order to avoid the financial strain of cosmetic dentistry, however there are a multitude of finance options. Some dental surgeries or practices may offer monthly finance options, in order to avoid the bulk of one initial payment. 

Are there any risks when whitening your teeth? 

Some patients may be more at risk of problems from different forms of teeth whitening. Patients who suffer from tooth sensitivity. Hyper sensitivity may be caused, due to teeth whitening causing the dentinal tubules to open up, this can be made worse by extreme hot or cold temperatures. Other issues can include over bleaching as well as damage to the enamel, both producing a negative effect on the appearance of the teeth. 

Is there more than one way to whiten the teeth? 

There are a variety of tooth whitening techniques this day in age, such as at home kits and tools which are now widely available. Teeth whitening at home can be as simple as toothpaste, or whitening rinses. Whitening rinses work by reacting with the chromogens within the tooth and the oxygen within the rinse. Whitening toothpastes work by using abrasion, however this method may only lighten the teeth by one to two shades. 

Some individuals may aim to stay clear of ‘artificial’ tooth whitening methods and may attempt some at home more ‘natural’ remedies, such as charcoal or baking soda. Whitening at home should be taken seriously, especially for some individuals who may have health problems, or may be pregnant, or simply suffer from sensitivity. Whitening strips at home work by applying a thin layer of peroxide gel to the surface of the teeth. Whitening strips vary greatly from brand to brand, but the general rule is that the more frequently they are worn, the faster the teeth will whiten.