Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dental medicine that deals with the appearance of the teeth. This branch encompassed a wide range of bleaching procedures, laser applications and dental implants, just to offer a few examples. The procedures are recommended by the dentist and often performed in his/her office. There are however a few methods and teeth whitening products that can be tried at home. The results differ, depending on the patient and the chosen procedure. If you think that it’s time to change your teeth color to white, then you should consider cosmetic dentistry as well.

Many of the teeth whitening products that are recommend for at-home usage contain a bleaching agent known as peroxide. Cosmetic dentistry is a delicate matter and one should not try improving the teeth color without consulting a dentist first. Over-the-counter products present a series of risks, containing bleaching agents that are either too strong or have no effect at all. Any bleaching procedure should be supervised by the dentist, the recommended concentration of bleaching agents being of as little as 15% when it comes to whitening gels. Supervising is also important in the situation where the patient decides to try out mouthpiece trays, the dentist being responsible of taking an impression of ones teeth and providing a customized tray. The teeth color can definitely be improved using such methods but only at the recommendation of the dentist.

If you decide that you want to improve your teeth color at the dentist’s office, then you will benefit from additional protection. Dentists recognize the importance of protecting the oral cavity and especially the gums from the effects of bleaching agents, applying protective substances before the treatment is performed. For those who want an immediate whitening effect, the doctor might also suggest a laser-based procedure. The combination between heat and peroxide gel is highly efficient when it comes to obtaining a whiter teeth color. Cosmetic dentistry relies heavily today on the usage of laser technology, the heat having an accelerating effect on the overall whitening process.

Are there any side-effects when it comes to teeth whitening? Dentists warn about the different medical procedures that cause the teeth to become sensitive. Each patient is different and the dentist will have to perform a thorough medical investigation in order to decide which cosmetic dentistry procedure is more recommended. Not only can the teeth can become sensitive but the gums and the entire oral cavity can be irritated by the bleaching substances. It would be a shame to obtain the desired teeth color but suffer from extreme sensitivity. At the same time, dentists warn that most teeth whitening procedures can cause sensitivity during the first days of the treatment, symptoms which will disappear over time.

Regardless of how many advancements have been made in the field of cosmetic dentistry, don’t think that teeth whitening is permanent. The teeth color is going to be affected by the things you drink and eat, even after a whitening procedure has been performed. You can maintain the white shade using whitening toothpastes and by going to the dentist for regular checkups. If you want to prolong the whitening effect, you should avoid staining beverages and brush immediately after consuming anything that might produce stains. And remember, there is nothing more important than good oral hygiene.