Tooth Whitening Dentist Teeth bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in the field of general dentistry but most commonly in the field of cosmetic dentistry. With the help of a dentist, the beautiful, white smile that people admire so frequently can be achieved. The teeth of young children are visibly whiter than the permanent adult teeth they receive later in life. With age, the pearly white shine of a person’s teeth recedes. This loss of luster is due in part to enamel loss incurred as part of the aging process. Along with natural aging, the teeth of an adult attain staining through smoking, bacteria exposure, food, and any other substance ingested. The attractive nature of white teeth, promoting a sense of healthiness and youth, are highly coveted in America. Several methods of bleaching or whitening teeth are available on today’s market. The use of oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide has been known to affect the tooth’s enamel and remove stain deposits. After several repeated sessions of bleaching, the dentine layer beneath the enamel becomes whitened from the bleaching as well. Contact a tooth whitening dentist in your area now to have your teeth whitened today! Tooth Whitening Dentist Methods: Hydrogen peroxide Carbamide peroxide Microabrasion One method of bleaching involves applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent for a short period of time. This is often called “office bleach”.  This method produces quick results but there are risks of chemical burns to the soft tissues this is why it is extremely important to seek the assistance of a dentist when looking to whiten your teeth.In dental offices, some dentists implement a light-cured protective sheath, which is applied to the papilla of the teeth and the gums. This method then has an agent known as carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide itself to bleach the affected teeth for maximal whiteness. The bleaching gel usually contains up to thirty five percent of hydrogen peroxide. Another method involves using a thin mouth guard or strip to hold a small amount of oxidizing agent against the teeth for up to several hours a day for a period of five to fourteen days. Take-home or over-the-counter bleaching, as this process is known, is a more gradual process, however, poses fewer risks than other cosmetic whitening procedures. The bleaching agent is typically less than ten percent hydrogen peroxide. Typical bleaching and whitening can produce dramatic improvements in the smile and appearance of stained teeth. However, there are some stains that do not respond to bleaching. Contact a tooth whitening dentist in your area now to have your teeth whitened today! Updated: LV