One of the major leading causes of teeth de-colorization is the chemicals present in foodstuffs we often consume. These chemicals destroy the enamel and the gum holding the teeth while leaving a stain in the teeth.
People who don’t observe oral hygiene such as daily brushing of teeth are usually at a higher risk of having their teeth decolorized. However, for people whose teeth have been decolorized, there is still hope of regaining the white bright smile, as there are medical remedied for removing the stain.
What Causes Teeth De-colorization?
Foodstuff that contain chemicals that stain the enamel (which is the outermost layer of your teeth) have been identified as one of the causes of teeth decolorization. Accumulation of these food particles in the mouth can cause plaque build-up on the teeth making them look yellow or brown.
Another factor is poor dental hygiene, smoking or chewing tobacco and using an excess amount of coffee.
Teeth Bleaching Process in South Africa
Teeth whitening in South Africa can be done either at home or at the hospital when one visits a dentist. However, it is often advisable to see the dentist first for the purpose of examination of the state of your teeth before starting the whitening process.
The most common way to whiten the teeth at home in South Africa is through bleaching. This process is recommended depending on the types of teeth stains present. The stains can be categorized into intrinsic and extrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stains are easier to remove with just a simple toothpaste whereas extrinsic stains require more special care because they are located on the inner parts of the teeth. The cost of bleaching can be up to R5,500 and the procedure involves the use of chemicals to remove the stains on the enamel.
The bleaching process should be done after the ultrasonic cleaning has been carried out to remove the stains on the outer part of the enamel. Unfortunately, most people have complained of teeth sensitivity after bleaching. Therefore, this process should be carried out with extreme care.
However, Rodney Jardim, one of the top oral hygienist from Johannesburg working at the De Necker dentistry has reassured clients that teeth whitening is a very safe procedure with limited dangers.
Teeth whitening kits in South Africa
Another alternative to bleaching is the use of teeth whitening kits which contain hydrogen peroxide chemical that removes stains while killing the mouth bacteria at the same time. Caution should be exercised when working with these kits by ensuring correct concentration of the chemical.
Cost of the teeth whitening in South Africa
The cost of teeth whitening varies depending on the choice of whitening. For example, those who choose to go to the dentist will have a different expenditure compared to those who choose to carry out the process at home by themselves.
The overall cost of whitening teeth professionally is about R5,500.
For home care, there are a variety of whitening products such as the ORALGEN Nupearl (R 375) and Crest 3D white (R 1,645).
There are also whitening products available in different online vendors, such as Brilliant White. They offer teeth whitening kits for as low as R799.
