Denture Repair: Home Remedies and More

Thanks to the use of social media, more and more people are concerned about how their teeth look when they are taking a selfie! Hence, there is an increasing demand for teeth whitening procedures, which are also referred to as teeth bleaching. 

Types of teeth whitening procedures

Thanks to technology, those that are uncomfortable with the colour of their teeth have several options when it comes to teeth whitening, such as:

Over-the-counter procedures

Over-the-counter dental whitening procedures are the cheapest. However, they also offer slow results that might not be long lasting. Examples of procedures in this category include:

1. Toothpastes: These products usually have a mild abrasive effect, and can therefore mildly lighten the colour of your teeth.
2. Gels: There are many whitening gels being sold over-the-counter. So, the results you receive from using a gel will largely depend on the type and strength of gel you are using.
3. Strips: These are thin pieces of plastic strips, which are coated with peroxide. These strips are attached to teeth for about 30 minutes, in a daily procedure that may last for a few weeks. 

At-Home Procedures

These are procedures which have been prescribed by a dentist. They are safe and easy enough for you to use at home. Such procedures include custom-made whitening trays. Unlike the whitening trays that you can buy over the counter, these have been specifically measured and designed to suit your dental structure; the tray will therefore fit comfortably in your mouth.

In this procedure, the tray is placed over your teeth for approximately 30 minutes or more every day for several weeks. There are also overnight procedures

In-office procedures

These are teeth whitening procedures that are carried out by dental professionals in a dental office environment. They usually yield more dramatic results than at-home procedures and are quite effective. They include whitening trays which use a higher concentration of peroxide as compared to the 'take-home' trays. Laser whitening treatment may also be used, where specifically formatted lights are passed over teeth to activate the whitening gel so that it works faster and better.

Millions of people from all over the world suffer from different degrees of dental discoloration. Even if you observe the basics of dental hygiene such as brushing, flossing and regular dental visits, you may still be susceptible to discoloration caused by environmental factors, age and food, so you may need teeth whitening procedures.