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Is Bleaching Good for your Teeth?

Discoloration of teeth is a major concern among adults. This could be the result of habits like smoking, improper brushing, consuming high quantities of coffee, tea, and red wine, or even having foods with colored dyes. This might also lead to a build-up of plaque and bacteria and eventually to tooth decay. Hence, people get bleaching done to whiten their teeth. Here, the words, bleaching, and whitening are interchangeably used.  

However, the basic difference between teeth bleaching is that bleaching is the process of whitening your teeth beyond the natural color of the teeth. This is more cosmetic in nature. While teeth whitening is the process of removing the discoloration of the teeth caused due to the various foods that are consumed. This process restores the natural color of the teeth.  

What is Teeth Bleaching? 

Teeth Bleaching is the process that uses bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down the stains on the teeth. This is a cosmetic dental procedure. It is a cost-effective alternative to other aggressive dental treatments veneering or crowing to improve the color of the teeth.  

This process of bleaching can be done at home or by a dentist. The composition of the chemical used in terms of the amount of peroxide present in it is the biggest difference between the two.  

Different Ways of Teeth Bleaching: 

There are two different ways in which teeth bleaching can be done.  

1.  In-office bleaching treatment: This method is preferable when the cause of discoloration is due to gum receding. The concentration of peroxides is high and hence requires the supervision of a dentist. This treatment might require several sittings and is a prolonged process.  
2. At-Home treatment: In this treatment, the dentist prescribes a procedure that is having a custom-fit tray with the bleaching agent in it and affixed to the teeth. This is used every day for a few minutes to enhance the brightness of the color of the teeth. The concentration of peroxides is relatively less in this treatment. 

Is the Bleaching Treatment safe? 

The teeth bleaching treatment is a definitely safe one to take up, however, it is suitable only for natural and healthy teeth. This procedure is not advised to people who have active cavities or implants. It is not possible to whiten implants. 

And bleaching or whitening treatments can cause sensitivity issues for a certain period of time but it is subsidies in a few days. The dentist might also prescribe a few dental products to maintain the shine and color of the teeth.  

This treatment should be avoided by  

• Pregnant or lactating mother 
• People with active cavities or implants 
• Children below the age of 16 
• Anybody with weak gums 
• Anybody who is allergic to peroxide. 

Wrap Up! 

Thus, these whitening and bleaching treatments are safe if done under professional supervision. This treatment is not a permanent solution and hence the patients are expected to regularly visit the dentist for the longevity of the results.