This is an option if the enamel on your teeth is very sensitive, but whitening is desirable and even necessary.

Modern dentistry can no longer ignore the issue of correcting the colour of the patient's teeth, because the snow-white smile has become a kind of carte-de-visite of a person in society.

When planning treatment, doctors of dental clinics try to select the optimal whitening systems for achievement of the desired aesthetic result.

New whitening techniques allow to improve the colour of teeth in case of diseases of the hard tissues of the teeth, non-carious lesions, as well as in the presence of stains or uneven staining.

There is whitening at home and office whitening, that is, the one carried out in a dental clinic. Each of them has its pros and cons. In the clinic, you can rapidly lighten the colour by several tints. But sometimes the choice tends towards the home procedure. Its advantages include relatively inexpensive prices for the manufacture of a whitening tray for teeth.

When home whitening systems are used:

Teeth whitening at home, like other dental procedures, has its own indications and contraindications.

Indications:

• - adjacent teeth differ in colour;
• - age-related colour change;
• - colouration associated with consumption of colouring drinks — tea, coffee, or arising from smoking;
• - stage of restoration treatment.
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Whitening is contraindicated in the presence of caries and periodontal diseases in the acute stage, a large number of crowns or old fillings in the smile zone, with visible root exposure and increased sensitivity of the teeth, during pregnancy or during orthodontic treatment, with allergy to the drugs used and severe concomitant diseases.

How whitening occurs:

Most often, gels based on carbamide peroxide, which is used in various concentrations, are applied in home whitening systems. Teeth whitening trays can also be customized. Their principle of operation is based on the fact that a gel based on 10, 15, 20 % (most often 15 %) of carbamide (or hydrogen) peroxide, when it contacts the tooth, in the process of releasing active oxygen leads to the destruction of the protein part of the pigment, which gives a visual lightening effect. At the same time, the gel does not affect inorganic enamel.

It is best to choose a tooth whitening product after consulting a dentist. Whitening at home with carbamide peroxide is an economical and affordable way to achieve teeth whiteness. But it must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, and also requires careful diagnosis associated with a change in the colour of the teeth.

Home teeth whitening regimen

The regimen of home procedures is individual and is determined by the patient's lifestyle, his/her schedule and preferences. If he/she can wear the whitening trays at night, then they are put on for 8 hours at bedtime every day. Whitening at home is performed simultaneously for the upper and lower jaw. The whitening time is up to 2 weeks. It is necessary to adhere to the doctor's recommendations.

Recommendations for use of teeth whitening trays:

• - the trays are put on after brushing your teeth,
• - preliminarily, the gel is applied on their inner surface in the area of projection of the outer wall of the tooth,
• - you cannot drink and eat in the trays,
• - at the end of use, remove the tray, rinse it with water and brush your teeth again,
• - avoid colouring drinks and foods, limit smoking,
• - installation or replacement of fillings is carried out no earlier than 2 weeks after whitening.
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Teeth whitening with a tray at home can also be prescribed to consolidate the results of an office procedure.

It should be kept in mind that this method may be associated with certain risks. So, the sensitivity of the teeth may increase. This is normal and all uncomfortable sensations disappear in one day after the end of the course. At the time of whitening, not only different groups of teeth, but also the tooth itself can be whitened unevenly, due to anatomical features. This is normal, too. Subsequently, the colour is aligned.

To stabilize the result, the course can be repeated. To maintain the effect, it is sufficient to use trays for 2–3 days, for 4–8 hours, once every 4–6 months. With a persistent result, the procedure is carried out once every one or two years.

Teeth whitening must be preceded by a comprehensive treatment, which may include correction of dental care products and personal hygiene methods, restoration, and professional cleaning. For prevention, it is recommended to give up bad habits and exclude factors that contribute to teeth staining.