The consumption of tobacco and coffee can reduce to less than one year the tooth whitening effects.

-Combination therapy is the best choice for having a white, healthy smile

-bleaching treatment results can last up to 7 years if maintaining good oral hygiene

Madrid, March 2012.- A beautiful smile is an effective cover letter for our social and labour relations and, therefore, we must look after it to the maximum. Sometimes, the consumption of coffee, tea, wine red, colouring food and tobacco can cause that the teeth be darkening progressively.

Daily follow correct oral hygiene habits is essential to keep the white teeth ”, explains Dr. Lobo, specialist of the Milenium Sanitas Dental clinics. Brush often, regularly attend the consultation of the dentist and a professional dental cleaning a year contribute to maintain a perfect oral health and to achieve the Elimination of scale. In addition, to reduce the consumption of tobacco, beverages and foods with high levels of colorants avoid stains on teeth.

When is it necessary to resort to bleaching?

Sometimes, these tips are not sufficient to achieve a white and radiant smile. It is in this case when Dr. Lobo encouraged each person the best Whitening option, according to various medical criteria.

For example, dentures extremely sensitive to food and drinks hot or cold a desensitizing treatment must be done before or during the process of bleaching ”, explains Dr. Lobo. In the case of tooth decay, these should be dealt with before bleaching. In addition, bleaching is not recommended for pregnant women or breastfeeding period, or for persons under 18 years.

A perfect thanks to the combined whitening smile

As Dr. Wolf, combined bleaching is the treatment more effective and less harmful for the tooth, making one or two clinical sessions for 15-20 minutes and an outpatient treatment for 2 weeks ”.

This treatment is a combination between the bleaching outpatient and clinic. The first one is a procedure similar to the kits without a prescription, but with two key differences: first, bleaching splints are made to measure to fit your teeth precisely and, secondly, the whitening gel is more concentrated and, therefore, more effective ” explains Dr. Lobo. On the other hand, we found bleaching in clinic. The treatment consists of activation by light through lamps of light. To protect the gums, is placed a protection around the teeth. Then applies the bleaching gel and a special light (halogen, led, laser, etc) which activate the product. Time will be marked by the dentist and individualized for each patient depending on the product chosen, the concentration, the sensitivity of the patient during the treatment and other possible factors ” says Dr. Wolf. It is worth mentioning that there are bleach kits that are sold in pharmacies without a prescription, although they are not as effective as professional methods, since they contain less concentration of peroxides.

Results and effects of the treatment

The final shade will depend on the base of the tooth color. Should really be called „ clearance dental‟, makes the treatment is to return its natural color to the tooth. This is the reason why it will never seem artificial ”, says Dr. Wolf Sanz.

The results of this treatment start to appreciate after the clinic session and may last from 5 to 7 years, although it will depend on the person and the system used. The habits of brushing, tobacco and consumption of different drinks and meals, will also have an important role in terms of time lasting whitening. If the consumption of these substances is very high the effects will not exceed the year as a general rule. There is the possibility of regular maintenance sessions to prolong their effect.

The side effects of treatment, most are temporary and should disappear in a few days. The most important are the sensitivity of the teeth to cold or heat and irritation of the gums.

Myths and realities about the teeth whitening

Despite the large amount of information that can be found on the teeth whitening, this procedure still arousing concern among patients. Dr. Lobo, Sanitas, Millenium Dental clinics specialist reveals some unknowns.

-B0 treatment is never advisable for sensitive teeth. MYTH. It can be combined with treatment desensitizing.

– is the best choice to get whiter teeth. MYTH. It depends on each case. In some cases there are to evaluate other types of alternative prosthetic to improve color dental.

-the result can be artificial, even too striking. MYTH. It is returned to the tooth its color natural.

-bleaching does not damage the teeth or damage the enamel. REALITY. Provided that performed properly and for a professional qualified

-tobacco and coffee contribute to darken teeth and cannot be taken of for life. MYTH. Only should be avoided to keep the colour obtained after treatment.

-this treatment doesn’t damage the gums. REALITY. They can be slightly irritated Transiently during treatment, but does not harm them as permanent.

-teeth whitening is painful. MYTH. It will depend on the degree of tooth sensitivity of the patient.

-toothpastes do not become whiter teeth. REALITY. Whitening pastes, generally contain more Abrasives than pastes common, polishing the tooth surface. This makes that reflect more light and look more white. Some carry a bleach products with very low concentration, insufficient to achieve a proper teeth whitening.