What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening & Why It Is Important?
Everyone wants to have the ultimate, perfectly white smile—and it is a common fact that smile matters. Cosmetic dentistry is becoming a popular trend, with so many people going to their dentist to learn about how to improve their smiles. Teeth whitening has been the most common option most people prefer to get that gleaming smile.
Why Does a Smile Matter?
You might wonder, why do you need whiter teeth? Why is your smile even important? There are various reasons for this:
1. Personal Relationships
Research shows that potential partners look up to your teeth and decide right then and there if they want to have a relationship with you. Think about that first kiss. You wouldn’t want to kiss someone with teeth that look disgusting, like there is some disease lurking inside, right?
2. Personal Appearance and Earning Power
Your physical appearance is important, especially if you are applying for a new job. If you have a clean, crisp smile, there is a 58 percent chance that you will be hired as opposed to having discolored teeth. How you present yourself physically to the hiring personnel creates an impact on how they perceive you as a future employee.
If your job demands that you be in front of the camera or in the limelight often, it is important to keep your best foot forward—and having a white smile helps. Your smile is also important if you need to deal with clients or customers face-to-face. You will have to give out that confident vibe that you’re healthy, and a white, clean smile can send a message to the customers or clients that you are someone they can trust to deal business with.
Facts About Teeth Whitening
- Certain factors could influence the whiteness of your teeth or cause your teeth to turn yellow. Red wine, tea, and coffee can stain your teeth progressively. Smoking is also one great contributor to teeth discoloration, and it is just bad for your overall health. Genetics also plays a vital role in the brightness of your teeth.
- Staining may also occur under the surface, caused by tiny cracks in the teeth or some antibiotics.
- Professional bleaching or teeth whitening is the most common method to whiten the teeth or lighten the color. It uses an active ingredient usually in the form of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. This active ingredient gets broken down, allowing oxygen to get into the teeth’ enamel and creating a lighter color for your teeth.
- Teeth whitening only lightens the color of the existing teeth and is not able to remove deep stains.
- There are some side effects associated with teeth whitenings, such as mild irritation of the mouth’s soft tissues (gums, in particular) and a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity. During the early stage of teeth whitening, you may experience teeth sensitivity. Irritation typically results from an incorrect or ill-fitting mouthpiece tray, and not from the bleaching agent. Both side effects are temporary and normally disappear within one to three days of completing or stopping the treatment.
Final Thoughts
While teeth whitening is effective in giving you that perfect smile, this procedure is not for everyone. Talk with your dentist first before going through this treatment plan. Keep in mind that dental problems like gum disease and cavities need to be addressed first before bleaching or whitening your teeth. A cosmetic dentist in Edmonton will be able to provide you with the best dental solution for your needs. Contact our Edmonton dentists today.