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Given a choice, most people would rather have white, clean-looking teeth than dingy ones. Individuals with good oral health have multiple options for brighter smiles at Dr. Titania Tong’s Central HK dental office, including teeth whitening treatment.
Why does anyone need teeth whitening? There is no single answer to that question, but rather, many conditions may contribute to discolored teeth. Thus, there is no “one size fits all” solution.
The general shade of teeth – much like hair, eye, or skin color – can be attributed to genetics. Some people simply have whiter enamel than others. In addition, heredity impacts enamel thickness. This is related to tooth color, since thin enamel allows the yellowish dentin sub-structure to show through. Over time, enamel thins naturally, causing a similar situation.
Here are some other factors that may cause teeth to look dark or dull:
While abrasive toothpaste may be marketed as “whitening,” it only removes surface stains. In the process, it may scratch tooth enamel, leaving grooves that trap pigments and worsen the problem in the long term.
Professional teeth whitening uses a hydrogen or carbamide peroxide solution to remove staining pigments. As the formulation oxidizes, microscopic bubbles penetrate pores in enamel, loosening discoloration and lifting it away. The chemical reaction also bleaches the dentin layer.
Teeth whitening is a good choice when you want to improve the overall shade of your smile, top and bottom arches, front to back. Dr. Tong offers two options. If you prefer to whiten gradually, in the privacy of home, she creates application trays from impressions of your mouth. You receive a supply of prescription-strength whitening gel, and instructions for use. Fill and wear the trays at night until your smile is as bright as you want it. For most patients, this is accomplished in one to two weeks. Then, with periodic re-application, your smile stays brilliant.
If you are in a hurry for a whiter smile, Zoom! in-office treatment makes sense. Relax in the chair while the hygiene team takes care of whitening treatment. In about two hours, your smile is noticeably brighter. Some patients opt for occasional at-home whitening to keep it that way.
Maybe your smile is appealingly white, but there is a single tooth that does not match the others. Dr. Tong can mask it with composite bonding or a porcelain crown. Would you like to improve the shape, enamel texture, or visual alignment of “smile teeth,” as well as their color? Dr. Tong may recommend porcelain veneers to bring lovely uniformity to the front teeth that show most readily.
As a holistic dentist, Dr. Tong cares deeply about helping you enjoy the wellness benefits of a healthy mouth, and the self-esteem of a bright, beautiful smile. Find out which tooth whitening treatment is most appropriate for your needs. Call 852 2810-1801 to schedule an appointment in Central, HK.
Dr. Titania was born in Hong Kong, but she grew up in England, where she completed her undergraduate education and received her degree in dentistry from Guy’s Hospital Dental School at the University of London. She practiced general dentistry in London for a period of four years, and then returned to Hong Kong in 1987, where she spent the next decade working in a large group practice before establishing her own dental clinic in 1999.