Page 30 - Boyne Dental E-Mag

Teeth Whitening is either restoration of natural teeth shade or whitening beyond natural shade. Res-
toration of the underlying, natural tooth shade is possible by simply removing surface (extrinsic) stains
( from tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking) and calculus/tartar. This is achieved by having the teeth
cleaned by a dental professional. Calculus or tartar is difficult to remove without a professional clean.

Before the treatment, the dentist may examine the patient, taking a health and dental history
(including allergies) observe hard and soft tissues, placement and conditions of restorations and some-
times x-rays to determine the nature and depth of possible irregularities. There’s a whitening shade
guides used to measure teeth colour. These shades determine the effectiveness of the whitening pro-

cedure which may vary from two to seven shades. The effects of whitening can last for several months,
but may vary depending on the patient’s lifestyle. The procedure generally use a light-cured protective
layer that is carefully painted on the gums and papilla (the tips of the gums between the teeth) to pro-
tect the soft tissues.

Maintenance

Although treatment results can be rapid, stains can reappear within the first few months and years of
treatment. In order to maintain your whitened smile, there are multiple ways to protect your teeth and
prolong the treatment.

 Brush or rinse your mouth immediately after eating and drinking

 Floss to remove plaque

 Use whitening toothpaste once or twice a week to avoid surface stains

 Use a straw when drinking harsh beverages

 Do visit the dentist for touch up treatments