Benefits of Teeth Whitening
In an age where people are more focused on their appearance, it’s important to keep on top of your self-care to be the best you that you can possibly be. Especially following the rise of social media, it has become ever-important to take your grooming habits to the next level to maintain your self-esteem and create a positive projection of yourself to friends and family. Continue reading to gather more insight into the benefits of teeth whitening.
One of the most popular ways for people to improve how they look is teeth whitening. Many are beginning to research teeth whitening benefits to make an informed decision of whether or not they are worth getting, and what they can provide you with.
This article will focus on helping you to understand all you need to know about teeth whitening and why it can be a cosmetic enhancement for you. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what teeth whitening is, how it’s done, and how it can benefit you.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
More and more people are paying for brighter, whiter teeth both nationally and internationally, with Turkey being the most popular place for those who want to alter their existing teeth. But not many know that teeth whitening can be done to the same, if not better, standard than it is in there, with a range of diverse options that can help you paint yourself in your own image.
Teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. In most cases, it can’t make your teeth brilliantly white, but it can lighten the existing colour by several shades. It is a cosmetic dental procedure that can only be completed by a dentist or another regulated dental professional (like a dental hygienist or dental therapist), which ensures the quality of whitening you get is high.
Any dentist can whiten teeth as long as they’re registered with the General Dental Council. Registered dental professionals can also complete a teeth whitening procedure on the prescription of another dentist, in the event that they are unable to complete the procedure themselves. Whilst there are home kits available, they can be risky and improperly prepared, which can put you at significant risk.
Although some beauty salons also offer teeth whitening services, this can be illegal and prohibited by law if there is no dental professional present; this is because they may be untrained, which can put your dental health in danger.
Whilst there is no evidence that teeth whitening is biologically good for your teeth, there is also no evidence that it is bad, either. Studies have found that over 10 years of clinical use of teeth whitening products containing 10% carbamide peroxide have not shown any damage to existing fillings and that there’s no evidence that the teeth whitening process has a harmful lasting effect on the oral health of a patient or their nerves.
Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular dental procedures in recent years, with the majority of cosmetic patients requesting it as either their sole procedure or one of many. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that the most common desire from patients was for whiter teeth – their research suggests that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening. Not only is it quick and painless, but it can restore an individual’s smile with confidence for an immediate effect, and is suitable for patients with dental anxiety as there are no invasive procedures.
Its popularity comes following a fall in mental health worldwide, originating from a rise in depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Depression is amongst the most common mental illnesses worldwide, with people from all different backgrounds and demographics impacted sometimes to extreme extents. In fact, research has found that an estimated 3.8% of the population is affected by depression, including 5% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60. To many, cosmetic changes like teeth whitening can be a helpful way to raise their confidence and self-esteem to alleviate the feelings of depression and begin to feel much better about their self-image.
How Is Teeth Whitening Done?
Teeth whitening can help to reverse the effects of ageing and discolouration, helping you to achieve a sparkling, natural smile. It works to such an extent that in-surgery whitening can give intense and noticeable results in the space of just one hour. With such strong and quick benefits, people can only wonder how exactly the procedure works.
Teeth whitening is usually done using one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the colour less concentrated and your teeth much brighter. Essentially, dentists will bleach your teeth to a much brighter colour for noticeable results almost immediately.
Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide will be carefully administered by trained professionals to prevent harm and maximise the desired effect. Traditionally, dental offices will employ 35% to 37% carbamide peroxide, or 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide. Alongside this, they may also use a concentrated light or laser to activate and accelerate the chemical formula. This helps dentists to bleach the teach as white as possible, with lasers and light used to concentrate the formula on more hard-to-administer areas.
Alternatively, there are a number of different options for whitening your teeth and putting the shine back into your life; in-office bleaching, also known as chairside bleaching, is a 1-visit procedure where dentists will apply a protective gel or rubber shield to your gums whilst they apply bleach to your teeth. The bleach will then be left to sit for a period of time before being removed for your teeth to be checked over and treated. After that, you’ll be good to go with your freshly-whitened teeth.
What Are The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening?
There is a range of reasons for people choosing to get their teeth whitened. It is one of the most harmless yet impactful cosmetic procedures available, with the chance to completely redefine your whole look with no risk. So, what are the main reasons that people are getting their teeth whitened?
Primarily, people are getting their teeth whitened to remove discolouration and stains. Discolouration or stains on your teeth can happen with age or because of certain lifestyle choices, such as the foods you are eating and the liquids you are drinking. Most whitening products are designed with this in mind and work to break down and bleach the problem areas until they are as white as new.
Self-esteem is massive in today’s society – as such, it is another main reason behind teeth whitening. Because of a whiter, brighter and healthier-looking smile, you’ll normally find that people are happier to smile and will smile more often. Having a yellowed and dull-looking smile can dissuade people from smiling more often, so by using a corrective teeth whitening procedure, they can get back to being their normal happy selves.
For the more medically inclined, the chance of reducing bacteria from teeth whitening can be an attractive choice. Many whitening products are designed to kill bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Whilst you improve your cosmetic look, you can also put a significant boost in your physical health and protect yourself against infection.
Lastly, one of the biggest benefits of teeth whitening is its cost-effectiveness. Many practices offer the procedure for very competitive prices, which can be a great and cheap investment in your long-term health. Practices such as Didsbury Dental Practice complete teeth whitening appointments for as little as £150 and appointments can be completed within an average lunch break. Why not take a look at their options, and see what you can do to improve your dental health?
So, What Are The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening?
We hope that you feel more confident in understanding the processes behind teeth whitening and the benefits that can accompany them.
Whilst the payout of a procedure is undoubtedly relevant to the patient when asking, “what are the benefits of teeth whitening?”, we feel confident in saying that at our practice, the benefits are limitless. Although you may experience slight discomfort during the original procedure from having to maintain the same pose, you should feel no other pain with no recovery period needed. The quality and care of our dentists and staff ensure that your procedure will be done as effectively and as quickly as possible, to make a swift resolution to your teeth troubles.
If you want to find out more, you can read about our teeth whitening services here, or contact us to ask any other questions.
