Modern technology continues to go from strength to strength, improving and upgrading the simple, most basic facets of our lives. Healthcare, in particular, is a sector that has made progress in leaps and bounds, thanks to the wonders of medicine. Developments in the industry have revolutionized major treatments such as surgeries and invasive procedures but the effect on day to day ailments and problems have been equally important. Dental care is no different.
When one thinks of oral hygiene and dental care, the first and arguably only things that come to mind are toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and a couple of visits to the dentist every year. There remains a distinct lack of awareness about the developments that have come about in the dental care segment over the last few years. The reason for this has a lot to do with the fact that dental care has gained traction later than skin and body care. Driven by technology, this isn’t the case anymore.
New Dental Care Products
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The latest dental care products are designed to strike a balance between appearance and hygiene. As is the case with using technology to improve a product, new dental care products provide better results faster and with more convenience. The latest dental care tools include teeth whitening products, LED devices, electric toothbrushes, gels, and more. Through these products, it is possible to protect your teeth and keep them clean without compromising on their appearance.
It is important to note that most traditional oral hygiene and dental care practices are targeted at getting rid of the short-term accumulation of food, dirt, germs, and plaque, which is why they are to be practiced on a daily basis. The latest dental care products aim to provide long-term benefits and protection over the long run.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Plaque is the term given to the yellowish layer of dirt that accumulates on the outer surface of teeth over time. It consists of germs and food particles, making it harmful and corrosive to the teeth. The problem is further accentuated by smoking and irregular oral hygiene practices.
Over the course of time, these stains become intrinsic and impossible to remove through regular home dental care practices. Teeth Whitening is a short-term treatment that is extremely effective at reversing long-term stains and degradation of the appearance of teeth. It is particularly useful for removing intrinsic stains and reversing discoloration.
Teeth Whitening Products
The most common are whitening strips, which are applied onto the surface of teeth and act as whitening agents. Teeth-whitening gels are also popular as they do not contain an adhesive or sticking agents, unlike strips. However, strips are considered to be more convenient as they do not need to be paired with a carrying agent to be effective. Most gels are applied through an external apparatus such as a syringe. One such apparatus is mouth guards, which in recent times, have been modified to act as teeth whitening products through the cutting edge technology that is LED lighting.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth-whitening products contain bleaching substances, typically hydrogen peroxide, which is instrumental in giving teeth a pearly white shine. Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring substance, which allows these products to harness natural ingredients such as activated charcoal and coconut oil. This principle is commonly applied in whitening strips and gels, which are the more widely used teeth whitening products.
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Products such as charcoal teeth whitening tools and instant teeth whitening products are slightly corrosive in nature, which is why they are effective. Their biggest strength can become a weakness if used too often and incorrectly, hence the restrictions on their use.
Teeth gels also kick off chemical reactions on the teeth surface, which results in the production of hydrogen peroxide and further whitening. This process is amplified and made more effective by LED teeth whitening products. Light-emitting diodes (LED) have been found to accelerate and speed up chemical reactions on teeth surfaces, making whitening easier and faster. LED mouthguards are the latest high-tech whitening products that have been proven to improve teeth appearance and quality.
The Role of Teeth Whitening In Oral Hygiene
As emphasized earlier, modern dental care is all about balance. There is no point in having shiny white teeth that aren’t healthy. These products contribute towards good oral hygiene by –
- Removing plaque, which degrades over time and allows germs and bacteria to fester.
- Kills bacteria and germs in the narrow, tiny nooks and corners of the mouth.
- Freshens breath and promotes cleanliness of the mouth and between teeth by dislodging food substances and dirt.
Ultimately, the appearance of teeth and their health are dependent on one another. Healthy teeth give you a gleaming, perfect smile and high-quality teeth whitening products are a balanced way to ensure your teeth are both!
A word of warning though! Sure, at first glance, teeth whitening dental care products seem to be a magnificent idea with no problems. However, their effectiveness does not give you an excuse to overuse them. Remember, These products are NOT a shortcut for oral hygiene. Using teeth whitening tools does not mean that you abandon regular dental care habits such as brushing and flossing.
It is not a magical miracle that can reverse damage caused by improper care and attention over a long period of time. These products are meant to be used together, hand-in-hand with traditional dental care tools.
Too much of good is not necessarily good. Teeth-whitening products have restrictions on the frequency and amount of use. Most of them are used over a couple of months, 2-3 times a week. Do not use them more than necessary, it will not give you better results and can cause damage to your teeth such as corrosion and hypersensitivity! Always consult your dentist in case of doubt and use medical-grade products that are tested and meet the highest safety standards. Stay healthy, stay happy, and smile wide and bright!
