Tooth whitening is the process of getting rid of discoloration, dullness and stains from the teeth to make them appear whiter. Tooth discoloration can happen due to various factors including aging, cigarette smoke and drinks like coffee, soy sauce, berries and tea. Traumatic injuries and some medications can also stain them. By opting for teeth whitening Falls Church VA dwellers can reverse the effects of tooth discoloration.

Some tooth whitening products include gels, toothpastes and strips. They can make tooth enamel appear several shades whiter but some products have abrasive compounds that can damage tooth enamel. These products may also fail to eliminate some types of stains particularly on tooth enamel that is badly discolored.

You can achieve the best results if you have your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist. The professional treatments that cosmetic dentists offer can reverse even the most serious tooth discolorations. Their treatments are pain free treatments since they do not involve scaling or other invasive procedures.

Most cosmetic dentists recommend the use of lasers and professional tooth bleaching kits. Tooth bleaching products and procedures are usually based on a whitening process that uses gels containing peroxide. The concentration of peroxide in the gels differs. Gels that have lower concentrations of peroxide are less powerful. Although you can achieve better results by using the gels that have higher peroxide concentrations, they can cause side effects such as sensitivity or damage to the gums and lips.

Laser tooth bleaching whitens tooth enamel through a light activated bleaching gel. Your dentist can complete this procedure within a period of 1 to 2 hours and the results are instant. Your dentist may recommend that you use a professional tooth bleaching kit after you undergo a laser tooth whitening procedure. Before a dentist performs this procedure, he or she will ask you a few questions to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Your cosmetic dentist will inform you about the risks and possible side effects of laser tooth bleaching. You will be asked to sign a consent form as a way of conforming that you understand the procedure and the risks involved. Your teeth will then be cleaned thoroughly by the dentist or dental hygienist in order to get rid of stains. They will then be prepared for the procedure. Your dentist may use a bleaching compound that has a peroxide concentration of about four to six percent.

As they perform laser tooth bleaching, dentists usually place some form of protection such as a roll of cotton and protective gel material around the gums to ensure that they do not get damaged by the bleaching compound. They also use cheek retractors to prevent potential burning or damage to the cheeks and lips. They then apply the bleaching gel to tooth enamel and expose it to a laser. After the procedure, they wash off the bleaching gels and remove the gum protection.

If you opt for professional tooth bleaching kits, your dentist will use special dental putty to take an impression of your teeth. The moulds will be used to cast a model of your mouth from plaster and make custom tooth whitening trays. You will then use the trays together with the bleaching gel that the dentist will provide you with.