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In today’s world, it is a great advantage to have a beaming smile. It has been proven that people with white smiles are very confident and tend to be more successful in life. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry offers many procedures to improve your appearance. These range from complex methods such as covering the flaws of your teeth with veneers, to more simple ones like brightening your smile with teeth whitening in Edmonton. The latter has become very popular in the last decade. In this article, you will learn how it works and what you can do to make your results last longer.

How does teeth whitening work?

If you decide to brighten your smile, a dentist in Edmonton will apply a whitening solution to your teeth. This solution has a high concentration of a bleaching agent such as hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. This chemical interacts with the outer layer of your teeth, the enamel, to remove any stains or discolouration. The way it works is by introducing oxygen into the stained molecules. Some dentists also like to use a special light during teeth whitening to activate the bleaching agent and achieve more evident results. After the procedure, your teeth will be several shades lighter than before.

Are there any side effects?

There are two main side effects that can occur after teeth whitening near you. The most common one is tooth sensitivity. Most people who undergo this procedure experience some degree of tooth sensitivity due to the effect the bleaching agent has on the enamel. It opens the pores on your teeth for a while, so the nerve is more sensitive to temperature changes. However, this is nothing to worry about since the sensitivity will disappear after a couple of days. Another side effect of tooth sensitivity is a mild chemical burn on your gums when they are exposed to the whitening solution. It is very uncommon since dentists often apply a protective gel to your gums before starting the procedure.

Will your teeth become stained again?

Unfortunately, teeth whitening doesn’t offer permanent results. It can only target stains and discolouration that have already appeared. Therefore, if you want your teeth to stay white for longer, you should avoid what caused the stains in the first place. The most important thing to do is to maintain excellent oral hygiene. Follow your dentist’s recommendations, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Also, have regular checkups at your local dental clinic to assess the state of your teeth and gums.

There are also some modifications you should make when it comes to your diet. For example, avoid eating tomato-based sauces and soy sauce since these foods have pigments that can stay on the surface of your teeth and stain them. The same applies to some beverages such as coffee, tea, dark sodas, and red wine. Finally, stop smoking. This habit not only causes tooth discolouration, but is also associated with other oral health issues such as gum disease and tooth loss.

Other options for teeth whitening

Having an in-office treatment is not the only way you can achieve a whiter smile. For instance, many dental clinics offer at-home treatments that consist of trays filled with a specific amount of whitening gel. This gel has a lower concentration of the bleaching agent to prevent patients from damaging their enamel. They are more affordable than professional treatments and offer less drastic results. Another very popular way people try to remove stains is purchasing teeth whitening kits sold at supermarkets or drugstores. However, these tend to have very low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and don’t make much of a difference in the colour of your teeth.