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Each of us dreams of a snow-white smile. After all, the health and appearance of our teeth are our showpiece. However, drinking coffee, tea or smoking can cause unsightly discoloration to appear on our teeth. That is why teeth whitening is becoming more and more popular. But how to choose the best whitening method for us?
Teeth whitening in the office or at home?
If we have already made a decision that we want our smile to dazzle, we will face another dilemma – decide to bleach on our own or use the help of specialists in the dentist’s office? A lot depends on the amount we are able to spend on the procedure, because the cost of teeth whitening ranges from a dozen to several thousand zlotys. In-office whitening will not only be safer for our teeth, but also more effective – teeth will be whiter for a longer time.
Tray whitening
What is overlay whitening? The dentist will prepare an overlay tailored especially for us. It will be up to us to distribute it on it for the next 2-4 weeks whitening gel and put it on the teeth during the day or at night, usually for 4 hours. After removing the overlay, brush your teeth thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste. It is worth knowing that some patients notice the hypersensitivity of the teeth after the whitening process is completed. Therefore, dentists recommend washing with toothpaste intended for sensitive teeth for at least 2 weeks after the last whitening session.
Since the overlay will be prepared especially for us, it will also be perfectly matched to our teeth, which will make them whiten evenly on the entire surface. It is worth knowing, however, that this method will work only in cases of not too large discoloration. However, it can whiten our teeth by several shades, and the effect will last for up to 2 years. To extend its durability, you should remember about thorough oral hygiene. For several weeks after the end of whitening, it is recommended to use the so-called “White diet”. This means that during this time we should give up coffee, tea, fruit juices and red wine. The cost of teeth whitening using the overlay method ranges from PLN 600-800.
See what the whitening of problem teeth looks like:
- dead teeth whitening;
- whitening and braces;
- whitening and seals.
Laser teeth whitening
The method of laser teeth whitening will make our teeth even eight shades whiter in a very short time. The procedure itself takes from 40 minutes to 1,5 hours. Its cost ranges from PLN 200 to PLN 2500, depending on whether you want to whiten one tooth, one or both dental arches. Before making a decision about laser whitening, all cavities in the teeth should be healed. The method is not recommended for people suffering from gum disease or exposed tooth necks. Contraindications also include pregnancy, breastfeeding and a large number of dental fillings.
Before visiting the dentist, remember that the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned and free of tartar beforehand. The dentist will put a whitening gel on them and start the laser, which will make the gel penetrate the enamel and whiten the dentin. Thanks to this, the effects of the treatment will last longer. For 2 weeks after the treatment, you should follow a “white diet” – if you do not use it, the whitening effects will last much shorter.
Masking veneers
The use of masking veneers is the most expensive method to obtain a snow-white smile. The cost of whitening one tooth starts from PLN 800. However, the veneer will mask not only discoloration, but also the curvature or asymmetry of the teeth. This type of teeth whitening finds the greatest enthusiasts among celebrities. The procedure itself involves attaching a thin piece of porcelain to the outside of the tooth. Masking porcelain veneers will make the teeth whiter and more aesthetic, but they will still look natural.
Teeth whitening at home
There are also teeth whitening methods that we can do ourselves at home. However, they do not guarantee such effectiveness and safety as professional whitening. We can apply:
- whitening with strips,
- whitening with baking soda,
- whitening with active charcoal,
- whitening with paste.
Strip whitening costs several dozen zlotys. It consists in sticking the whitening gel strips on the teeth and wearing them for a certain period of time. The entire whitening process usually takes 7 or 14 days. Bleaching with baking soda and activated charcoal are methods that dentists do not recommend. They consist of rubbing the teeth with a paste made of baking soda and water or activated carbon powder. However, this can lead to enamel abrasionsfor pain and dental diseases. The safest home whitening method is to use a whitening toothpaste. However, it has a huge downside – we have to wait even several months for the effects. At Medonet Market you will find a combination of toothpaste with activated carbon, i.e. Georganics mineral toothpaste with activated carbon, which whitens teeth, remineralises enamel and supports the fight against tartar. After brushing your teeth, it is worth applying ApaCare Repair Tooth Remineralization Gel, which enhances the whitening effect and smoothes the enamel.
Try Vitama Aurum’s sonic toothbrush with polishing function. It also supports their whitening and is safe even for people with sensitive teeth and periodontitis.
How to enhance the effects of teeth whitening?
A professional teeth whitening procedure in a dentist’s office can be performed once a year. In order for its effects to be more long-lasting, it is worth giving up products that discolor your teeth, such as coffee, tea or wine.
You should also remember about proper hygiene and daily tooth cleaning. Every six months, we decide to fluoridate and remove tartar from our teeth.
Contraindications for whitening
It is worth remembering that only a specialist will be able to determine whether the condition of your teeth allows their whitening. We certainly will not whiten:
- lead,
- dead teeth,
- heart,
- root canal treated teeth,
- teeth with gum disease.
If you decide to undergo a self-performed procedure without prior dental consultation, you can expect pain, sensitivity, and even the need for subsequent root canal treatment.
It should be remembered that each of the methods of teeth whitening may contribute to the weakening of the enamel and the subsequent need for treatment. Therefore, when we intend to improve the appearance of our smile, we should visit a dentist so that he can determine the condition of our teeth and choose the appropriate method.
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