Essential insights on the practice of teeth whitening: a guide.
Teeth Whitening: A Guide for Brighter Smiles
First impressions often begin with a smile. A radiant smile with gleaming, almost perfectly white teeth can boost confidence. However, as we age, various factors can cause teeth to lose their luster. Regular consumption of tea, wine, coffee, and smoking can lead to discoloration, while the hard enamel may erode, revealing the dentin. To counteract this, many individuals opt for professional dental procedures like teeth whitening or bleaching.
According to Dr. Gwendolyn Amarquaye-Bayitse, resident dentist on Time with the Dentist show, teeth whitening aims to make teeth whiter than their natural color. When performed by a qualified dentist, it is a safe process that does not require drilling or extensive surgical procedures.
However, teeth whitening might not be suitable for everyone, as it may not respond to certain conditions, such as discoloration caused by tetracycline medication. Moreover, the bleaching material will not affect materials like fillings or prostheses like crowns. Here are tips to consider before undergoing any teeth whitening procedure:
- Consult your dentist for the appropriate teeth whitening option:Your dentist will evaluate your teeth to determine the cause of discoloration and recommend the most suitable whitening procedure. There are various methods for whitening teeth or changing the color of specific discolored teeth. It is also essential to have your teeth cleaned by the dentist before the whitening process.
- Be cautious with local home remedies:While some remedies may remove stains, they may not change the color of teeth. Ensure you get approval from your dentist, particularly when obtaining information from online sources.
- Ensure you have healthy teeth and gums:If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, you may need to defer teeth whitening until these issues are addressed. After undergoing teeth whitening from a qualified dentist, you should avoid consuming certain foods and drinks like coffee and wine, which can easily stain teeth.
Whitening toothpastes like Pepsodent Charcoal are available for maintaining whitened teeth. If you wish to whiten your teeth, consider consulting a dentist and following the guidelines before and after whitening.
Time with The Dentist, a dental TV show by Pepsodent in partnership with the Ghana Dental Association, is designed to educate Ghanaian individuals on basic oral hygiene practices, teeth care, and various myths and facts associated with maintaining good oral hygiene.
The show airs weekly on TV3, Adom TV, UTV, MX24, and GHOne TV. For comprehensive oral health guidance, consult a qualified dentist.
- A dental report on teeth whitening might include the effectiveness of the procedure for enhancing overall health-and-wellness, as well as potential risks and appropriate precautions.
- To maintain a brighter smile after undergoing teeth whitening, one might incorporate science-backed oral hygiene practices, such as using toothpaste like Pepsodent Charcoal, into their daily health routine.
