A confident smile begins with white teeth
Have you found yourself feeling uncomfortable about showing your teeth lately? Are you losing confidence in your smile? Fortunately, one notable trend in dentistry right now is the increasing popularity of cosmetic teeth-whitening treatments. This is good news for the 71% of British adults who don’t feel confident smiling in photos (a third of those due to stained teeth). In fact over 40% of Brits say that, given the option, they would whiten their teeth using the latest technology. So, what’s new in the world of teeth-whitening technology?
Innovative procedures for bleaching teeth
Competition is fierce when it comes to the best whitening procedures. Gone are the days when patients were limited to choosing between over-the-counter sticky whitening strips or messy gel-filled trays. Improved in-office professional treatments such as bleaching teeth with laser or Blue Spectrum LED light have made the process of whitening teeth easier, faster and more effective.
Professional bleaching – Blue Spectrum LED vs Laser
In laser whitening, an activating whitening gel is exposed to a laser beam. Teeth whitening with Blue Spectrum LED simply needs a light to be activated in order to work. Let’s take a look at exactly what you can expect when undergoing either of these techniques:
Blue Spectrum LED
- Teeth are prepared by being thoroughly cleaned with an activator. This process not only removes accumulated debris but also ensures that the treatment is most effective.
- A specially formulated whitening agent, containing either a hydrogen peroxide or non-peroxide-based solution, is gently applied directly to the teeth.
- A high-energy Blue Spectrum LED light is used to activate the solution. The wavelength used has been found to be the most effective in activating and accelerating molecules within the whitening agent, without causing any harm or overheating to your teeth.
The entire procedure takes 60 minutes (usually two to three cycles, each lasting 20 to 30 minutes) and provides noticeable results immediately.
Laser teeth-whitening
- A mild dental-grade abrasive, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, is used to dissolve the chemical bonds holding the stains to the tooth’s surface.
- A laser beam is then used to activate the chemicals which immediately begin whitening the teeth until the desired shade has been reached.
An hour-long appointment is normal for laser teeth-whitening, after which a dentist takes a dental impression to create a custom mouthguard tailored to fit your teeth. This can then be worn at home and used with a special bleaching gel.
What the science says
A ScienceDirect journal article ‘Violet led dental whitening: Effectiveness and biological safety: An in vitro study‘ concludes violet and blue LED can be used to whiten teeth safely, whether or not combined with hydrogen peroxide bleaching. According to the study, this in-office tooth bleaching technique produces noticeable colour changes in a way that doesn’t harm the enamel or the DNA of healthy cells.
Advantages of in-office whitening
Professional treatments are designed to give you immediate and noticeable results. They may require only one treatment or just a few visits. The best part? The procedures can lighten your teeth by eight shades and last a year and a half. That’s 18 months with a brighter, whiter smile.
Busting the myths about teeth-whitening
On a lighter note, have you perhaps heard some of the astonishing myths that circulate about teeth-whitening? Check out ‘Teeth Whitening Myths Debunked’, which explains why professional techniques really are the best option. When it comes to myths about perfect pearly molars – don’t fall for them!
Before whitening your teeth
Before committing to a treatment, it would be advisable to do a little research. The General Dentist Council provides helpful information which you can access here. For good measure, also discuss the process with a trusted teeth-whitening specialist.
Sparkling white teeth for a healthy life
Over time, the consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine and certain medications will lead to the natural discoloration of your pearly whites and a gradual loss of brightness to your smile. That’s just a fact of life but state-of-the-art whitening treatments can offer a solution, bringing you multiple aesthetic and psychological benefits.
