Whether you want to brighten your smile for a big life event, nail that job interview or simply boost your confidence, teeth whitening can really help. But how does teeth whitening kit work? Why do teeth stain and discolor in the first place? Why are there so many different teeth whitening products? And why should you trust Opalescence whitening with your smile?
To answer these questions let’s first learn a little about tooth anatomy. The outer layer of the top of the tooth is enamel and beneath the enamel is dentin, enamel is thinner and typically much lighter in color. While dentin is darker and makes up the bulk of the tooth. Enamel can be discolored over time by outside sources like coffee, tea, tobacco, and other foods and beverages.
Also as we age our enamel becomes more translucent causing more dentin to show through, which makes the overall appearance of the tooth look darker. Teeth whitening is the transformation of these discolorations. Oxidizing molecules, enter the enamel prisms and dentin converting the discolorations into simpler and thus lighter molecules giving a brighter smile. So what whitening agents are out there? And do they all work?
Lots of other whitening treatments use a led light or a laser during the whitening process. You’ve probably seen ads for these kinds of teeth whiteners, are these lights and lasers really effective though? Current research shows that light activation adds no additional benefit. In fact, some research shows that using a light for whitening can be harmful to lips and gums. Lights also heat up and dehydrate your teeth and can cause sensitivity and even pain.
Your dehydrated teeth may look white, but they’ll relapse and darken as they rehydrate over the course of a week.
There is also no evidence that brushing your teeth with activated charcoal is better, safer, or more effective than standard whitening toothpaste. Charcoal leaves a mess, tends to settle at your...READ MORE
Breaking Down Dental Anxiety Heights, spiders and the dentist are commonly listed when people talk about their biggest fears. While all fears are valid, the latter of...
How does teeth whitening work? Whether you want to brighten your smile for a big life event, nail that job interview or simply boost your confidence, teeth whitening c...
If you’re about to get dental implants, thinking about implant treatment, or caring for someone who just had dental implants placed, proper home care can impact how succe...
The College Director of Global Health, Professor Jeremy Bagg, writes about the College’s involvement in the MalDent project, establishing a degree programme for Dental Su...
COVID-19 does not just stop with respiratory illness, it seems to spread and affect the mouth too. Though there is plenty left to research about the effects of COVID-...
A virtual marketplace leading your business into the future