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SRUTI
MORE often than not, in your childhood, your
mother would have asked you to count sheep to
overcome insomnia. Counting sheep is simply too
boring to keep worries away or to fall asleep
for that matter, researchers at Oxford
University have found. An eight/hour snooze is a
must no matter how you manage to get it. Small
warder that it's called 'beauty sleep' as it
rejuvenates not just your health or skin, but if
you want them your teeth too!
'At home'
teeth whitening technique
A dental crown (or a cap)
is a form of dental restorationwhich cups over
the portion of a tooth
This procedure also called teeth bleaching
uses a plastic tray that is fabricated to fit
comfortably over a person's teeth. The person
places teeth bleaching gel (which contains 10%
carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient
any glycerin as the non active ingredient)
into the tray and the tray is worn for several
hours a day, for a few weeks, as the effects
of the whitening process take place. What has
made this technique so popular is the fact
that the tray can be worn in the night and the
gel works while you sleep. It not only saves
you the inconvenience and embarrassment but
also minimizes the number of times you need to
wear the tray.
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What causes tooth
discoloration?
Teeth could be naturally dark or could be
discolored by chromomeric agents, repeated
exposure to tea, coffee or red wine smoking,
exposure to medicines like tetracycline, excess
fluoride in drinking water and due to decay or
trauma to the tooth.
Will it improve
condition?
Definitely! A large percentage of the people who
have undergone teeth bleaching have experienced
a positive change in the color of their teeth.
But it pays to be patient! It takes any where
between 2-6 weeks (for general stains) to 2-3
months (for smoking stains) of bleaching to see
noticeable results. The effect lasts for 1 to 3
years but reports have shown people being
satisfied for over 7 years or so.
Teeth Bleaching
will not work for: unnatural tooth
shades, existing dental work like dental
fillings, bonding etc. as they don't take it up
and in conditions where the dentin in is exposed
(as bleaching is only for the enamel). Teeth
extensively decayed and discolored had better go
for root canal treatment and crown, as teeth
bleaching will not serve the purpose.
Your dentist needs to okay it: It is always safe
to consult your dentist who will decede if you
need it at all or if it will work for you.
Although over the counter bleaching kits are
available appropriate instructions are best
taken from the dentist.
Procedural steps
A complete pre-bleaching assessment and
discussion with the dentist is mandatory to be
fully aware of the pros and cons as well as to
clear all your doubts. Impressions of the upper
or lower arches of the teeth (or both depending
on where teeth bleaching is needed) are taken
with an impression. The technical the fit of the
tray is seen in the next
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appointment
fabricates material and trays made of flexible
plastic and adjustments are made. Detailed
instructions like how to use it and when to use
it and for how long are given. The gel is
generally placed only on those parts of the
tray, which contact the front surfaces of the
teeth and other surfaces that need to be
bleached. The gel is placed on to the tray and
excess gel is removed with a toothbrush.
Follow up:
You need to keep in touch with your dentist and
inform him of any progress through out the teeth
whitening treatment. As and when the desired
results are noticed, the teeth whitening
treatment is terminated and other dental work,
which may have been stalled due to this are,
completed.
Side effects:
There are two common complaints that are
expressed during the treatment. One is - teeth
have become sensitive. For this the dentist will
either reduce the amount of time you need to
wear the trays or will prescribe desensitizing
toothpaste, which will take care of the problem.
The other complaint is pain in the gums. This
most probably is due to irritation from the tray
edges. It can be corrected, as the dentist will
scallop the edges according to the gum line for
you.
Stash the myths
away
Myths like teeth whitening may cause cancer, it
damages tooth enamel, existing restoration and
the nerve inside the tooth hold no water and can
be peacefully dismissed.
If you need teeth whitening, then nothing like
this! So as you indulge in your slumber, your
teeth turn whiter giving you every reason to
smile wider!
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