Cosmetic Dentistry

In the past few years, tooth whitening has become increasingly popular. Unlike other elective beautification procedures, such as nose jobs, chin tucks, tummy tucks, Botox injections, etc., tooth whitening is relatively inexpensive and just about anybody can afford to try it.

The term "tooth whitening" can refer to a number of methods used to improve the brightness of a person's teeth. Some of the methods or techniques used to whiten the tooth enamel are bleaching with hydrogen peroxide, laser and mouth trays .The primary reason for having a tooth whitening treatment is enamel discoloration.  

The enamel of the tooth contains pores which cause the stains to remain on the teeth. The known causes of enamel discoloration are wine, tobacco, medication, beverages that contain caffeine such as tea, coffee, cola and stains, which can occur inside the tooth. Two additional factors that contribute to the discoloration of tooth enamel are aging and genetics.

Before deciding to go for a tooth whitening treatment, it is advisable to conduct research. As previously mentioned, there are several methods or techniques used to whiten tooth enamel.  Since the rise in popularity of tooth whitening, many do- it-yourself home kits, which can be bought over- the- counter at the local chemist or drugstore, have become available. These kits vary in price and contents. The material used can be in the form of gels, toothpaste, strips and trays.

It is also possible to use whitening toothpastes that contain polishing or chemical agents to improve tooth appearance by removing surface stains through gentle polishing, chemical chelation, or some other non-bleaching action. Many whitening toothpastes are available over-the-counter. While these over-the counter products are relatively inexpensive and more convenient, the results are temporary.

It should be noted that tooth whitening is not for everyone; it is not recommended for children under the age of sixteen, for people with gum disease or an exposed root or cavity, or for pregnant women. It is possible for tooth whitening to be performed on patients with prior cosmetic dentistry work.
For purposes of health and safety, it is recommended to have a tooth whitening treatment performed by a professional in a supervised professional setting, whether it is in a dental clinic or a spa.

This is especially important for patients with many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains. A thorough oral examination, performed by a licensed dentist, is essential to determine if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment. The dentist then supervises the use of bleaching agents within the context of a comprehensive, appropriately sequenced treatment plan. Before a treatment, the patient's dental history is discussed to determine the cause of the discoloration.

The first necessary step before the actual tooth whitening treatment commences is the cleaning and scaling of the patient's teeth. These tasks are performed by qualified technicians. Protective or precautionary measures should always be taken.  For example, if the selected tooth whitening method is a mouthpiece tray, which contains gel, an impression is taken of the patient's teeth. The reason for the mould of the patient's teeth is for maximum results and to lessen the contact between the patient's gums and the gel.
Tooth Whitening is highly unlikely to cause serious side effects, although some patients have complained of a temporary sensitivity of the teeth and gums.

(Leslie Harracksingh is the Medical Occupations Customer Service Officer at Sinclair Insurance Company)

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