TEETH WHITENING TREATMENT
Teeth whitening has become one of the most demanded treatments in dental clinics. You want to have white teeth and a healthy smile.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment, which results in the reduction of the color, usually yellowish, of the teeth, giving them a white and shiny finish. In this teeth whitening article we will teach you some interesting facts about what the treatment consists of, from our experts at Clínica Arpón y Quijada.
In addition to the decoration of the teeth, other purposes of dental whitening are the elimination of stains, which can be extrinsic or superficial. The treatment has to be repeated eventually as it is not a one-time treatment.
Causes derived from these factors are smoking, colored foods and beverages, among others.
TECHNIQUES
There are different factors that influence the classification of teeth whitening, such as the place where you do it, the type of tooth (vital, when the stain is external, or non-vital, whitening is done from the inside) and the technology used for it.
PHOTOACTIVATION OR IN-CLINIC TEETH WHITENING
Fast and effective treatment, results can be seen in 4 sessions, each lasting 15-20 minutes.
Although it is a simple treatment, it has to be carried out in the dental office by a dentist, because the soft tissues have to be isolated and protected with a special sheath. A whitening gel is then applied to the teeth, activated by an LED light that accelerates the whitening process. Very effective treatment that improves results by 40%.
HOME TEETH WHITENING
This treatment can be performed at home, although it must be supervised by a dentist. To do this, molds of our teeth are needed, from which splints are made, which are coated with a whitening gel for each tooth.
It can be combined with photo activation treatment, which is a mixed treatment.
MIXED BLEACHING
More complete whitening, combining photo activation treatment with home treatment. Effective results and longer lasting maintenance duration
INTERNAL BLEACHING
There are cases in which you have undergone a root canal and your tooth has lost color or darkened, for which an internal whitening can be performed, supervised by the specialists at Clínica Arpón y Quijada.
BENEFITS
Tooth whitening is one of the most used and demanded techniques nowadays.
Some of the reasons why our clients decide to start treatment is because of the many benefits they have, among them:
- Whiter smile: The smile is one of the most characteristic facial features, because having white teeth improves the mood and confidence in other people, being perceived as a confident and sociable person.
- Improves confidence: White teeth are a key factor in improving self-esteem. Having a healthy mouth and smile, socially is very well considered, giving more confidence and self-confidence.
- Helps to improve hygiene: Once the treatment has been performed, it is necessary to improve and maintain good dental hygiene.
- Fast results: Tooth whitening treatment requires between three and four sessions, with the opportunity to perform it exclusively in a single appointment, since the results of this treatment are very fast.
- Painless process: The treatment does not involve any discomfort, both during and after the session in the clinic.
PHASES OF TOOTH WHITENING
WHITENING OF VITAL TEETH IN THE CLINIC:
- The dentist will apply a substance, covering and protecting the gums. Next, a whitening gel is placed on top, which is then activated with a light to ensure effectiveness.
- If the blocker needs to be activated, an LED or laser light will be used for the duration of the treatment, with the option of performing it in several sessions or in one.
WHITENING AT HOME: Placing a splint, inserting a whitening gel, which has been previously prescribed by a specialist.
- The professional will take impressions: so that the splints can be made and fit perfectly with the teeth, and the whitening gel can be in contact with the teeth.
- When the splints are available, the whitening gel will be applied. The duration of the splints will vary in the hours required to wear them.
POST-BLEACHING CARE
From Clínica Arpón y Quijada we advise a series of general recommendations after having carried out a teeth whitening treatment, in order to achieve lasting results and a bright smile:
- Maintain a bland diet for at least seven days following treatment.
- There may be some discomfort, such as dental sensitivity, as it is very common in this type of treatment, it should be noted that these discomforts are temporary.
- Avoid smoking, as it will turn your teeth yellow again in a relatively short time, since it is one of the main causes of tooth staining and discoloration.
- Carry out a good oral hygiene, avoid some mouthwashes containing certain substances such as Chlorhexidine.
- Use dental floss.
DIET TO FOLLOW AFTER TOOTH WHITENING
There are a variety of foods that are not negative for teeth whitening treatment.
If you want this process to last, you have to contribute, so you have to follow specific care, among them, take care of your diet and control the food you eat in your mouth, known as “white diet”.
It consists of avoiding pigmented or acidic foods, since there is a high risk of absorption by the tooth, as it contributes to the reduction of the shades of the tooth. This is because the tooth is in a period of sensitivity and permeability.
The foods that can be eaten during this post-whitening process are:
- Milk and dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt.
- Lean meat.
- Fish, especially white fish.
- Legumes.
- Raw or cooked vegetables.
- Fruits with little pigmentation.
- Egg.
- Paste.
- Rice.
- Potato.
As for drinking, it is preferable to drink mostly water during this process.
FOODS TO AVOID AFTER TEETH WHITENING
- Pigmented beverages such as tea, coffee, red wine, carbonated beverages and fruit juices.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Dark foods: tomato sauce, soy sauce, red meat, chocolate, fruits. pigmented.
- Curry
- Sausages: chorizo, ham, among others. Nothing obscure.
- Potato chips, snack type.
- Colored beans, lentils, peppers and mushrooms.
- Very hot or cold drinks.
- Citric or acidic products: orange, lemon, kiwi, tomato… since teeth are very sensitive at this time.
- Chocolate, especially dark chocolate.
- Spices and colorants.
- Ice creams, sorbets and juices.
SUCCESS CASES
One of our clients was very satisfied with the result she achieved at Clínica Arpón y Quijada, after the teeth whitening treatment.
She went from having yellowish teeth to a healthy and shiny smile after attending the sessions at our clinic.
You can also improve your smile and have a good oral hygiene, you will feel more confident with yourself and improve your mood through these fast and effective results, thanks to the dental specialists we have at Clínica Arpón y Quijada.