How Can I Bleach My Teeth?

Some sets of teeth are naturally yellow while some sets start losing natural colour because of Image Courtesy: 32 Reasons
Dental Clinic

ageing. Many toothpastes claim to give you "white teeth", but it is not true. If you wish to whiten your teeth, you need to head to your dentist.

Your dentist will take a measurement of your teeth and prepare a teeth tray. This is basically a kind of mould which will hold the bleaching gel. These trays will keep the gel close enough to your teeth help in the process of bleaching.

You can go for bleaching as soon as you turn eighteen.

Bleaching removes almost all stains right from those caused by tea, coffee, or tobacco. However, bleaching may not remove black, brown or white colour, caused due to teeth decay.

Ways of Bleaching

You can opt for a Day Bleach, Night Bleach or a Laser or Chair Bleach.

Day Bleach is the mildest of all and takes time to show results. If you do it everyday, it may take two weeks to whiten your teeth. However, it also depends on how stained your teeth is.

Night Bleach is the one which you can use at home. This bleach is stronger and more effective as compared to the Day Bleach. You need to keep the mould overnight to get the results.

The fastest and the most effective procedure is the Laser or Chair Bleach. In this method, the mould is placed and a light is focussed. The light starts acting on the bleaching gel which then starts whitening the teeth, taking about an hour to show results.

Bleaching your teeth can cost anywhere between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 15,000 depending on how much bleach your teeth needs. However, whichever method you opt for, once you get your teeth whitened, you need to maintain it by using whitening toothpastes and mouthwash.

Is it Painful?

Your teeth may become slightly sensitive especially when the bleaching gel comes in contact with your teeth. This is because the oxygen bubbles could come in contact with a nerve and cause sensitivity.

However, your dentist will give you antibiotics for the sensitivity. Avoid going for teeth whitening especially when you are pregnant because the antibiotics used for the sensitivity could have adverse effects on your unborn child.

Also Read: Are Root Canals Safe During Pregnancy?

If you do go for teeth whitening very often, (every two to three months) it could ruin your teeth enamel.

How Often Do I Need to Get It Done?

If you avoid turmeric or haldi in your diet, cut down on tea and coffee, quit tobacco and smoking, you will just need to do a touch-up once a year. Your dentist may just give you the bleaching gel to retain your white teeth.

Also go for regular cleaning. This will ensure that the stains left by tea and coffee are removed. Do not forget your regular dental check-ups to avoid tooth decay.

This will help you have a perfect 32 teeth smile!

(With inputs from Dr. Sagar Shah, Dentist from 32 Reasons and Dr. Nisha Khushalani, Dentist from Indu Clinic, Colaba, Mumbai)