A beautiful snow-white smile has always been considered attractive. Improper nutrition, bad habits and lack of proper hygiene negatively affect the color of enamel. Genetics also matters. It’s enough for some just to not brush their teeth once they turn yellow. To others, nature gave the natural white color of enamel. Technological progress does not stand still. Today, there are many ways to whiten teeth. Some methods can be used at home.
A bit of history
People have long sought a perfect smile. Even when the concept of “dentistry” did not exist, methods were used that made the teeth more attractive. Ways to perfect a smile were not always safe. By lightening teeth for a short period of time, people received many health problems.
Until today, the evidence of ancient chroniclers has been preserved, which described various ways of brightening teeth. The ancient Egyptians, in order to achieve pearl whiteness, rubbed enamel with freshly picked onions. This way really helped to make the smile more attractive. But the breath left much to be desired. The same Egyptians used pumice soaked in wine vinegar. The teeth became shiny in just a few tricks. But this method was too aggressive. Enamel quickly erased, teeth became more sensitive.
In the medieval period, knights and ladies also looked after their beauty. An interesting fact is that barbers were responsible for teeth whitening. In the hairdressing salon it was possible not only to shave the beard or make a beautiful hairstyle, but also to bleach the enamel. In the arsenal of specialists was a special nitric acid. The smile really became more attractive. But how to bleach your teeth without harm, the barbers did not know then. The use of acid subsequently led to erosion of enamel. Damaged teeth quickly darkened and collapsed.
In the XIX century, hydrogen peroxide was recognized as the basic component for all bleaching agents. In 1892, the first safe rinse was created based on it. This substance could be used by both adults and children. The plus is that hydrogen peroxide not only positively affects the color of enamel, but also acts as an antiseptic. People who had problems with the gums were able to quickly remove the inflammation with a rinse aid. The process of tooth decay slowed down.
How are you doing today?
Technological progress has gone far ahead. Today, there are many safe ways to quickly make a smile more attractive. Some methods can only be used in professional dentistry, others are available at home. Experts advise not to start whitening without prior consultation. A person can cause great harm to his health. The result of the cosmetic procedure will not be a beautiful smile, but spoiled enamel and caries.
Teeth whitening in dentistry begins today with a preliminary elimination of existing problems. The specialist treats caries and all inflammatory processes in the
oral cavity. Even devices for home whitening are undesirable to use without a preliminary examination by a doctor. The problem is that the procedure may have some contraindications. It is undesirable to whiten teeth for people with periodontal disease, sensitive enamel, caries on the front teeth. There may be bleaching problems in people who wear braces. It is worth remembering that enamel brightening is only a cosmetology procedure, without which it is quite possible to do. But its unprofessional implementation can cause serious problems in the oral cavity.
Home Teeth Whitening Methods
The most popular tool that is used at home to perfect a smile is special chewing gum. The basis of the technique is the abrasive principle. Enamel darkening is removed by the small solid particles that are present in the chewing gum. It is worth noting that the world's dentists are very skeptical of this method. Chewing gum can eliminate only fresh spots that appear after drinking coffee, red wine and tea. If the enamel has darkened long enough, it is unlikely to bleach it with chewing gum.
At home, special toothpastes for whitening enamel can also be used. Such funds give a good result with regular use. One has only to switch to the usual means for hygiene, as the teeth darken again. A longer effect is provided by the Cross toothpaste. But its cost is somewhat high. For one tube you have to pay about 350 rubles.
More effective are special kits and gels that are used in a course of several weeks. The basis of the action of such agents is a chemical reaction. Various compounds react with pigments, dissolving them forever. If a person will properly monitor the oral cavity, as well as avoid the use of harmful products, a snow-white smile can last a long time. The most popular today are
Crest 3D White whitening strips
. Reviews show that an excellent result can be achieved after just a few weeks of using the product.
Professional teeth whitening
Whitening procedures can be performed in dental clinics using special equipment. When choosing a specialist, it is worth consulting with several doctors. The problem is that many clinics are trying to attract customers to the most expensive procedures, relegating safety to the background. A person must make sure that he has no contraindications for teeth whitening in a clinic.
People who have beautiful white teeth by nature just need to undergo a mechanical whitening procedure to remove dark stains from coffee, cigarette smoke and red wine. It is possible to return the natural shade of enamel in just a few tricks. With the help of special equipment, teeth are cleaned under a stream of solution. First, plaque and bacteria are removed. Further, stains that appear as a result of improper oral care are removed from the enamel surface.
One of the most gentle methods is bleaching with ultrasound. The procedure takes place without any effect on the tooth enamel. Using a special device, not only plaque can be removed, but also tartar, which could not be eliminated for many years. But brushing your teeth with ultrasound is not enough. The whitening procedure continues at home. The doctor can offer a special polishing toothpaste, which will not only make the smile snow-white, but also prevent the enamel from darkening in the future. Strips for teeth whitening also give good results. They are most often used after the procedure with ultrasound.
Chemical teeth whitening
This is one of the most common whitening methods used in professional dentistry. The same active ingredients are used as in home whitening. But their concentration is several times higher. Most often, components such as urea peroxide, chlorides, and hydrogen peroxide are used to remove darkening on enamel. The result of the procedure can be seen after the first session. At the same time, strips for teeth whitening at home show a positive trend only after a week of regular use.
Chemical bleaching involves a deeper penetration of the active substance into the enamel. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a rather long-lasting effect. A beautiful smile lasts for several years. In the future, the procedure can be repeated. To keep the enamel snow-white longer, you can additionally use Crest 3D White whitening strips. Reviews show that such tools help to extend the good effect of a chemical procedure by 2-3 times.
Unfortunately, chemical whitening of teeth is not shown to everyone. An important condition is the absence of veneers, prostheses, fillings and pins on the front teeth. Foreign materials can unpredictably react to exposure to chemicals. In the best case, the patient will get an ugly tooth color, in the worst - a mucous burn. If you believe the experts, for people with prostheses, laser bleaching is more suitable.
Laser Teeth Whitening
An effective method that allows you to specifically affect the tooth tissue. It is worth noting that the laser is less sparing. Along with this, it is possible to work with the most problematic places without affecting the entire surface of the tooth. The laser penetrates deep into the enamel and permanently removes the pigment that changes the color of the tooth. The dentist is engaged in jewelry work, changing the force of impact on various areas of enamel.
Laser tooth whitening begins with the application of a special chemical composition to the enamel surface, which allows you to remove contaminants at the molecular level. Using a laser, you can improve your smile as quickly as possible. In just one session, it is possible to whiten the enamel surface in several tones. Good results last for 5-7 years. The need for a visit to the dentist for cosmetic purposes will disappear altogether if you additionally use Crest 3D White bleaching strips. Reviews show that such funds help to save significantly. After all, there is no need to visit a specialist often.
Laser whitening is one of the most expensive. Before the procedure, the patient should put his oral cavity in order. The doctor checks whether all fillings are in place, whether there is a need to put prostheses. The presence of an inflammatory process in the mouth can lead to unpredictable results. People who have already performed the laser whitening procedure are advised to contact only a trusted specialist with extensive experience. Improper use of the laser can damage the gums.
Whitening strips
The price of dental plaque removal services at the dental clinic is always impressive. Not everyone can afford a cosmetic procedure of this kind. Recently, special whitening strips have begun to become popular, which are much cheaper and give a good effect. Reviews show that the first result can be seen after a week of using the product. The most popular today are strips of Crest 3D White. Instructions for use describe in detail how to use the product at home.
Whitening strips are small pieces of polyethylene coated with a special mixture for splitting pigment spots and plaque. Use this device with caution. The problem is that hydrogen peroxide, which is the main component of the whitening solution, can lead to increased tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. If an inflammatory process occurs in the oral cavity, it is better not to use Crest 3D White bleaching strips. Reviews show that mucosal disease can worsen.
There are several varieties of whitening strips. The most popular ones should be considered in more detail. Almost all species have the same composition. The whitening gel has components such as water, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, sodium saccharin, and sodium hydroxide. The strip itself is made of special high-quality polyethylene. The bleaching agent not only improves the color of enamel, but also prevents the accumulation of plaque, and also reduces the level of acidity.
Crest 3D White Glamorous White
This tool allows you to whiten your teeth in three tones. Reviews show that the best effect can be achieved after two weeks of regular use of the strips. In this case, the first results are noticeable after a few days. The special composition, although safe, is better for people who have problems with gums, to use a bleaching agent. Inflammation may worsen. It is also undesirable to use strips for more than three weeks continuously. After achieving maximum results, Crest 3D White Whitestrips strips can be used once every few days to maintain the effect.
The product has a special sticky composition. With it, the strips stick better on the teeth. The fact is that they must be used daily for two weeks for 30 minutes. During the procedure, you can drink water, take a shower or do any other daily activities. Teeth remain whitened throughout the year. After a while, you can improve your smile by a few more tones. The price of the Crest 3D White Whitestrips Glamorous White kit is about 4000 rubles.
3d White Professional
These strips allow you to lighten your teeth by 4 tones. Use the product for 30 minutes daily for three weeks. After a while, the course can be repeated. But applying strips for more than a month is not advisable. This can lead to gum irritation and enamel sensitivity. Despite the fact that Crest 3D White Professional has a gentle composition, safety precautions should be followed. Experts advise to carefully study the instructions before starting the whitening procedure.
If you believe the reviews, the first results can be seen after two to three days using the tool. Initially, teeth are whitened by one tone. 3D White Professional strips are perfect for those who have previously gone through the procedure and decided to return to the previous result. Beginners will have to use the product longer to achieve the desired effect. Before using whitening strips, it is best to consult your dentist.
3D White Luxe
This type of whitening strips went on sale only in 2014. At home, everyone can improve the color of enamel by 6 tones. This can be equated to the bleaching procedure in a dental clinic. Those who managed to use such a tool note that the enamel is lightened by several tones the very next day. The maximum effect can be achieved in two weeks. Apply Crest 3D White Luxe strips daily for 60 minutes.
Small pieces with a brightening component have a special shape. This allows you to comfortably improve the color of enamel without harm to the gums. "Cross" - whitening strips that are firmly fixed and take the form of teeth. A person does not feel the presence of a foreign object in the oral cavity at all. The effect of the application persists throughout the year. After some time, the course can be repeated to achieve even better results. The cost of a set of whitening strips is 4800 rubles.
How to use strips?
Half of the successful result depends on how correctly the product will be used at home. It is advisable to perform the bleaching procedure daily at the same time. This is best done in the evening before bedtime. First of all, it is necessary to conduct proper oral hygiene. It is worth using not only a toothbrush, but also a rinse, floss. The gel whitening strip is carefully separated from the transparent substrate and applied to the teeth. It is best to apply the product in front of the mirror. The denser the strip adheres to the teeth, the faster you can see the whitening effect. The protruding edges of the polyethylene can be bent.
People with sensitive enamel should follow some recommendations. Teeth should be brushed several hours before the procedure. The gel that remains in the oral cavity must be washed off with plain water. Additionally, use paste to strengthen the enamel. If there are problems with the teeth, it is advisable to use the strips in the daytime. You can do the procedure every other day. For people with sensitive teeth, special Crest 3D White strips have been created. Their price is about 3500 rubles. Vivid strips allow you to whiten enamel in 1-2 tones. This option can also be used to maintain the effect.
Although bleaching strips provide a good effect at an affordable price, they should be used after consulting a doctor. Only a dentist can tell what type of product is best used at home.