Teeth whitening procedures have come a long way since they were first introduced. While man has been attempting to whiten their teeth as far back as 3000 BC, modern dental whitening treatments did not appear until the 1980s, when hydrogen peroxide was first introduced to remove stains. Having whiter teeth can make a person look younger, healthier, and more attractive. When the teeth are their whitest, minor cosmetic dental issues are less noticeable.
When individuals come in for Teeth Whitening in Salisbury NC, it is vital their teeth are cleaned by the hygienist first. Clean teeth better respond to the whitening agent so the most amount of stains can be removed. If plaque and biofilm are present, they can inhibit the whitening ability of the treatment which can cause lackluster results. Cleaning the teeth ensures the pores are open and ready to receive the whitening agent.
First, the dentist will place a lip retractor in the patient’s mouth so their lips and cheeks are pulled away from the area of the teeth and will not be exposed to the whitener which can cause irritation in these sensitive areas. The gums will then be covered with a liquid rubber dam that protects the gum tissue from the whitener. This is vital for preventing burns to the gums.
The active ingredient in a whitening treatment is hydrogen peroxide. Although this is the same type of solution that is found in most medicine cabinets in the United States, the dentist offers a much stronger solution and one should never attempt applying hydrogen peroxide directly to their teeth. Once the whitener is painted on each tooth, the treatment is timed.
A high-intensity light is aimed right on the teeth which causes the oxygen to become free radical oxygen, making it more capable of whitening the teeth and removing the deepest of stains. The treatment will typically last around twenty minutes and then the results will be checked. While a single treatment may be enough for minor staining, severe stains may only respond after several sessions of Teeth Whitening in Salisbury NC.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile because of staining and would like to learn more about this treatment, contact the office of Robert S. Ogden DDS PA to schedule a consultation. You can also follow them on Twitter for more information.
