We all agree I’m sure that having a bright, white smile is a wonderful thing! However, not all of us are fortunate enough to have perfectly aligned pearly whites. So what do you do? You find yourself a good teeth whitening product and get started on getting a dazzling smile.

However, there are a few teeth whitening basics to keep in mind before you actually take the plunge, buy a teeth whitening product and start using it.

The first thing you will need to do is pay a visit to your dentist. This is very important because the dentist is the right person to do an evaluation of your teeth and advise you on the type of treatment you require. Choosing the right teeth whitening product can only be don once you have your teeth evaluated.

There are certain basics that need to be understood that include:

Tooth structure

Each of teeth is made up of an outer layer called the enamel which acts as a shield for your tooth. When you experience sensitivity in your tooth it could very well mean that the enamel on your tooth is worn off. The enamel is made up of calcium phosphates, a porous mineral substance that is one of the hardest in the human body.

Under the enamel resides the dentin layer which is also made up of Calcium Phosphates and Collagen Minerals. The dentin surrounds the nerves and blood vessel that are found in the tooth canals.

Your Teeth

Why do the teeth become discolored or stained? Simple! The answer lies in our daily habits. If you are a heavy coffee or tea drink, odds are you will have discolored teeth. If you are a smoker you will have stained teeth. Even certain food we eat like berries can cause our teeth to become stained. Certain medical drugs like tetracycline taken over long periods of time can cause the teeth to become discolored.

Polyphenols, a dark molecular pigment found in certain foods and drinks get absorbed easily into the porous enamel and dentin surfaces. These pigments are also found in tobacco and certain drugs. When the molecules are allowed to remain on the teeth for long periods of time they cause dark discoloration and staining that is often hard to eliminate.

Aging is a natural cause of teeth discoloration. As you grow older your teeth start to turn a yellowish/brownish shade. The reason is that the dentin layer gradually changes to a darker shade. These stains are the heaviest and most difficult to remove and may require longer than usual home treatments to rectify the problem.

Now that you understand the problem, namely how teeth get discolored, we can move to the solution.

How Are Teeth Whitened?

The tooth’s first layer, the enamel is actually semi-translucent, or clear. The layer underneath the enamel, known as dentin, is typically yellow, but could also be gray, brown or black. It is this color that comes through the enamel. In order to whiten the tooth a bleaching agent is put on the tooth. The enamel being a porous substance absorbs the bleaching agent and as it touches the dentin it changes the color, whitening it.

You can go in for a professional in office procedure whereby your dentist will perform the treatment. Alternatively you can go in for one of several types of tooth-whitening products that are in the market and sold over the counter.