Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that can help a person with stained teeth. If you have stained or discolored teeth and you want to undergo a teeth whitening procedure you might want to read this article first. At Beauty Techniques, we will be sharing with you the things that you should be considering before whitening your teeth. If you want to know more information, make sure to keep reading below to find out.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of bleaching the teeth to make them lighter. Depending on the degree of the whitening, it will make your teeth lighten in color, especially if it is stained or discolored. During the process, you must not expect your teeth to become brilliant white, it often lightens the teeth by several shades, and most of the time, it will require undergoing a few sessions.

What Causes Teeth Stains or Discoloration?

Teeth can become stained or discolored because of various reasons. Teeth color is determined by our genes and environment. Some individuals have thinner enamel because of their genes so their teeth appear more yellow. Staining can also affect the color of the teeth. Since some of the foods and drinks that you consume can stain your teeth, you must rinse your mouth after consuming anything to prevent stains from accumulating on your teeth. Stains or discoloration can be removed with the help of professionals by performing teeth whitening treatments at least once a year or twice a year.

There are two types of discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration

1. Extrinsic discoloration – Extrinsic discoloration occurs when things like beverages, foods, or smoking cause your teeth to become stained or discolored. Some foods or drinks such as coffee, red wine, tea, tobacco, and foods with food dyes can cause extrinsic discoloration. This type of stains affects the outer part of your teeth. It can be corrected by using whitening products that function on the stains of the exterior part of the teeth.

2. Intrinsic discoloration – Intrinsic discoloration occurs inside the tooth. It can occur because of the medications that you take, childhood medical problems, infection, trauma, or aging. Intrinsic discoloration is usually corrected by having the teeth professionally whitened to make the teeth brighter or a few shades lighter.

Here are some important facts to know before you consider teeth whitening:

1. Not everyone can have their teeth whitened – Before starting the teeth whitening procedure, a consultation must be done to check your dental history, overall health, etc. If there are any dental issues such as teeth and gum problems it needs to be addressed properly before starting the procedure. Children who are younger than 16 years old, individuals who have orthodontic treatments, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding mothers are not allowed to undergo teeth whitening as a safety precaution.

2. It is safe – Teeth whitening procedures are usually known to use a peroxide-base to remove the stains or discoloration on a person’s teeth. Professional treatments usually have 35-40% hydrogen peroxide content, while the over-the-counter whitening items contain up to 10% hydrogen peroxide and it is the type of compound that is commonly used by dentists for dental treatments as it is known to be safe for use.

Since the FDA does not regulate teeth whitening products, there are plenty of teeth whitening products on the market. You must be careful not to buy anything and use it on your own as it can be harmful to you. Some teeth whitening products may contain highly concentrated amounts, so you must trust this procedure to a professional so that you will be safe and avoid any untoward effects.

3. There are various teeth whitening treatments available – You can choose between take-home treatments and in-office treatments. Take-home kits use trays that are created from the molds of the teeth and can be filled with the whitening product and applied for a few days to produce any results. Whitening treatments done in a clinic can produce faster results as it uses a whitening gel and equipment that produces a special light that aids with the teeth whitening process.

4. Teeth sensitivity can occur after teeth whitening – Some individuals may experience teeth sensitivity after the teeth whitening procedure. When done by a professional, teeth whitening is a low-risk procedure but you must not expect that there will be no side-effects that can occur.
One of the most common side effects is teeth sensitivity, although some have reported that they experienced blistering or irritated gums. If you notice any of these side-effects, you must immediately inform your consultant; they can help you decrease or eliminate sensitivity.

5. Whitening results may differ – Teeth whitening may be effective to some, but not with others. There are plenty of factors that can affect the results of the teeth whitening procedure. Some individuals have healthy tooth enamel, making it easier to remove stains or discolorations are easier, so it is not difficult to make their teeth whiter after just a few sessions.

Individuals who have built-up stains for a long time may require more sessions to remove them. You must inquire with a consultant before you start with the teeth whitening treatment so that you can ask for any advice, suggestions, or recommendations.

Importance of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the process of making the teeth brighter or a few shades lighter as it can improve your smile and boost your confidence and self-esteem. Stained or discolored teeth can be a sign of aging. Professional teeth whitening is a non-surgical, low-cost, and fast option that can remove the stains from your teeth.

There are plenty of home remedies for teeth whitening. Lemon, bicarbonate soda, and charcoal toothpaste are some remedies that individuals use to whiten their teeth. Experts have advised about being wary of using abrasive and acid-based whitening treatments. Lemon juice can dissolve the tooth’s enamel. Some studies mentioned that charcoal toothpaste can be harmful as it can scratch the tooth’s enamel.

What Are the Things That You Must Do Before Teeth Whitening?

Before booking your teeth whitening session, you must undergo a consultation and a check-up because this is a cosmetic procedure and may require your dental history and other health records. You must also use desensitizing toothpaste if you have sensitive teeth.

Feel free to questions about the process to determine if the treatment is the perfect solution for your stains. Stains from food or drinks can be easy to remove, but stains caused by illness or medication may require more intensive whitening treatment.

It is necessary to identify the cause of stains or discoloration so that you will be recommended the best treatment for your teeth. It’s important to undergo the full cleaning procedure so that the plaque and tartar will be removed before you undergo the teeth whitening process. If your teeth have tartar, plaque, and other sediments it can affect and reduce the effect of the whitening treatment.

If you have sensitive teeth, make sure to inform your consultant. You can also use desensitizing toothpaste. Teeth whitening can cause teeth and gum sensitivity. If you use desensitizing toothpaste it can decrease the discomforts that you may experience after the treatment.

What Can I Expect After the Treatment?

Teeth whitening is not an invasive procedure and considered safe but you can experience some side effects from the procedure.

1. Teeth sensitivity – Teeth can become more sensitive after the teeth whitening session. You can experience this during the first or second treatment. Some professionals may recommend products with ingredients like sodium fluoride and potassium nitrate.

2. Sensitive and irritated gums – Some individuals may also experience gingival irritation. The gums may become irritated after the teeth whitening treatment because the gums can come in contact with the whitening product. It will lessen and go away after the procedure.

Teeth whitening does not produce permanent results. Keep in mind that you have to undergo whitening treatments from time to time to prevent the buildup of stains or discoloration. Teeth whitening does not work for implants, crowns, dentures, or bridges. If you have cavities or dental issues, then teeth whitening treatment may not be advisable for you.

After the teeth whitening procedure, keep in mind that the way you eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene can affect the longevity of the teeth whitening results. Once the procedure is finished, you must be wary as your teeth will be susceptible to foods, drinks, smoking, and other activities that can easily stain them again. You must always rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything that can stain your teeth.

Here Are Some of the FAQs about Teeth Whitening

1. What if my teeth become extremely sensitive?

If your teeth become sensitive during the treatment, you should immediately inform your hygienist or consultant so that they can lessen the number of rounds of the treatment. Desensitizing toothpaste and less abrasive teeth whitening gel can be used during the procedure to prevent it from happening.

2. What happens after the treatment? Can I eat or drink anything?

You are allowed to eat or drink anything as long as you avoid consuming anything that has bright or artificial colors. You must avoid drinking tea, coffee, red wine, colorful fruits, and vegetables, such as tomatoes and beets for at least 24 hours.

3. What are the benefits of having teeth whitening treatment done by a professional?

If you want fantastic and successful results you must trust a professional to do the teeth whitening treatment for you. This will ensure that the treatment will be done in a safe environment and they will perform the procedure efficiently, therefore, giving you guaranteed and long-lasting results.

Choose a professional like Beauty Techniques to perform services like teeth whitening. You can contact us by filling up this contact form here. Check out our clients’ testimonials here. Click this link here if you want to check out the services that we are currently offering. You can also check out the photo gallery of our clients here. Book an appointment with us now!

Do you have teeth stains, discoloration, or simply want a brighter smile? Do you want to avail of teeth whitening services? Beauty Techniques is worth checking out if you are located in Houston, Texas, or its nearby areas. We are offering different types of permanent makeup services. Our services are available via appointment only we don’t accept walk-ins. If you want to inquire about our shop or the products and services that we are offering, please feel free to reach out and contact us.

You can call us at 832-654-4595 or send an email at [email protected]. We are located at 2990 Richmond Avenue, Suite 370 Houston TX 77098. If you want to invest in yourself, make sure to trust a reliable shop like Beauty Techniques. What are you waiting for? Contact us today!