In old days people resorted to scrub their teeth with ground material, so that the granules of coal, for being rough, clean the teeth. But these granules also removed part of the outer tooth layer — Enamel, and may be responsible for oral cancer. With the advent of technology, more scientific and safe techniques are at hand to serve the purpose. Process of teeth whitening? The provided technology for teeth whitening, especially the front teeth by bleaching materials composed mainly of Hydrogen Peroxide 30% and Carbamide Peroxide 10% available in the form of gel, which is applied to the teeth and after that an insulating arbitrator is placed on the gums to protect them from the impact of bleaching article, which is irritant to the gums. Then the teeth are exposed to light which activates the applied gel, leading to an Oxidative reaction where the liberated radicals of Oxygen in the bleaching material removes colored particles from Teeth Port and Dentin, which gives teeth their natural white color. A whitening session can last from one to two hours in the clinic and should be repeated in 6 months or a year, as the result is affected by the person's daily habits, such as the type of food and drink one takes, as well as his smoking habit. Response to the procedure Teeth with gray or dark yellow color respond slowly to the process as compared to less Yellow teeth and so whitening may require more sessions. There are people who do not respond to bleaching at all. About 40% of celebrities opt for chemical bleaching but that have to be repeated after short intervals, while another 40% resort to the use of Dental lenses, which comparatively stays for longer duration. Important Tips l NOT advised for those under 16 years of age because of a large number of the nerves in their teeth, which could be affected. l Contraindications bleach causes weakness to the tooth enamel or teeth fillings if any. l It is usually recommended for those opting to stay away from habits like smoking, drinking coffee, tea and soft drinks. l Requires frequent visits to clean or re-bleach the teeth. Dr. Faaiz Abu Ghazala Dental Surgeon
