The TV advertising inspires us with the idea that snow-white smile is exactly the thing we need. Only the owners of such teeth will have success with the other sex representatives and even gangsters with rough appearance will clue everything at the sight of these equal-energy white teeth. The ads show us the means to get this aim by offering us whitening toothpaste, chewing gum or compact and modern kits to white your teeth on your own. And it firstly seems that all is well as there is no more need to visit the most awesome doctor that have ever existed – the dentist.

However, it is not so. Cleaning and whitening the teeth is quite important procedure and in case, there will be any mistake made throughout it then you may loose not only the snow-white smile but also the smile itself. Then the question arises – how you may get precious “healthy” smile without harming your own health? Let us discuss all these with the expert in this area – dentist.

- Are the white teeth equal the healthy teeth?

- Unfortunately these conceptions are not always equivalent. Furthermore, certain historical features may be the reason that certain peoples have not white but a bit yellow teeth. However, yellow teeth may also be healthy. Another question is that it is not always aesthetically beautiful; still this is the allowable variant. For instance, Americans have grey tinted teeth and this is allowable variant. Unwhitened teeth may also be healthy and vise versa as well.

- And what does the color of teeth depend on?

- Except of several genetical factors such things as food: food dyes, coffee, cigarettes are also impact the color of the enamel.

- Should we additionally clean teeth from the hygiene point of view?

- Even following all rules of mouth care, we should clean our teeth professionally once in a six month – it means eliminating all scurf on the teeth surface. This scurf may be soft – different types of furs and hard as well – this is so called scale. However, these procedures are shallow only and the almost do not change the color of teeth. Changing teeth color requires whitening or chemical action on the enamel.

- What types of whitening exist?

- There is professional whitening. There are two types of it – an office one that means whitening in the dentist office and the home one. In case you want to have proper whitening then you’d better have these both steps. The office whitening divides in two types. The first one means the reaction caused by the mixing of two chemical materials and the second one means that the reaction starts due to the action of the special lamps or laser. Here we should note that the second way is more expensive as for the patient and for the clinic itself, however it is considered to be more effective one as the teeth may be whitened by more tints. Usually it requires from one to three visits of the dentist.

The fixing of the effect reached is carried out at home, as less strong chemical materials are required at this stage. Individual gum shield that is a special cover for your teeth similar to the one boxers use is made and the patient puts it on for the night. Previously drugstores provided similar gum shield with whitening solution. However, it is not recommended to use them, as every gum shield should be adjusted to individual features.

Home stage of whitening takes from 5 to 10 days. Then it is quite enough to have similar procedure once a night in a six month. Actually in case you won’t follow this schedule your teeth color will still be brighter than it was initially. Usually the effect is quite long lasting and there is no need in having whitening once again.

- And what about different means of whitening that we can purchase in drugstores and shops – toothpastes, special gels and chewing gums?

- It is not recommended to use them constantly as they increase sensitivity of teeth and our teeth start to react cold and warm food or drinks quite sharply. For instance whitening toothpaste should be used not more than twice a week. As for chewing gums, they are not means of whitening actually. Only dentists may carry out the whitening in all cases. Moreover, kits for whitening contain too low concentrated materials that cannot change microflora of your mouth. Thus, we would not advise you to carry out whitening on your own.

- How the whitening goes? Is the upper layer of enamel is removed?

- No, of course. However, whitening is not so useful for teeth in any way, but in case we want to do it properly, then we should do it quite good according to professional requirements. And as for the process of whitening itself – here we can compare it with hair decoloration with the hydrogen peroxide. Teeth experience something similar as here carbamide-peroxide systems are used (that are less harmful for enamel) or peroxide ones.

- Are there any contraindications to whitening?

- Surely, they are as with any other medical interference. Firstly, it is inherent increased teeth sensitivity. Pregnant women and those at the period of breast-feeding are also must not have these procedure. The procedure is not to be carried out in case you have many open carious cavities. Here we should also consider that in case the patient has many fillings and coronas on the front teeth then there will a need arise to renew all of them after the whitening as the contrast of tints will be quite obvious. However, if you have already decided to renew your fillings and coronas then it would be better to whiten teeth at first.

- Are there any age limitations?

- Actually, there are no strict limitations, but it is recommended to have the procedure from 18-20 years old. Mostly we work with women of 25-40 years old and less of all with men of the same age.

- Are there any possible complications?

- The most negative thing is the increased teeth sensitivity, their sharp reaction on cold and warm, sweet and sour food and drinks. To avoid this we provide special gels to our patients. Secondly, teeth may be over whitened till dull luster or bright-white color (so called “tile teeth”). Several patients initially try to reach this effect, however such teeth don’t look natural. Besides, teeth of yellow-brown tints are quite better to whiten than the grey ones.

- What should the patient avoid straight after the whitening procedure?

- First of all, you should avoid food containing bright dyes as wine, bright vegetables or you can get the vise versa effect till quite unexpected tints of your teeth.

- Is it allowed to smoke?

- Actually, yes, however it would be better to refrain from it.

Finally, we should say that regular care about your mouth is quite important for your teeth health. The best way is to have professional cleaning at the dentist once in a six month as this means the whole complex of activities that are quite difficult and sometimes even impossible to have at home. For instance, in case you will put whitening solution on fur-covered teeth this will have no effect.

And the hygienic cleaning made by the specialist i.e. fur and scales removing, interdental spans treatment, teeth polishing, deposition of fluorine-containing drugs that strengthen enamel, as well as competent whitening will give you the same healthy smile that is so pleasant to present to everyone around you.