March 29, 2024

Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Seniors? – 2023

Teeth Whitening – As you get older, oral care and biannual visits to the dentist become more important. This is necessary if you want to have healthy gums and teeth. It may be demanding to keep teeth healthy at times; however, negligence might be costlier.

Everyone’s teeth and molars differ in colors. Some people have yellow teeth, while others have browner or grayer teeth. In any case, teeth and molars are not all the same color. A single tooth or molar’s color may differ from the rest.

Why Do Teeth Become Yellowish As We Age?

With increase in age, the dentin layer of the teeth becomes thicker and thicker. This causes a darkening or yellowing of the tooth. Wear and tear also thins or completely removes the enamel layer in some places, exposing the yellower dentin. Cracks in the enamel that allow dyes to enter can also cause teeth to change color.

What Should You Consider When Whitening Teeth for the Elderly?

A tooth is made up of dentin and enamel—the color and thickness of the dentin account for the majority of a tooth’s color. Dentin color is passed down from parent to child. The enamel on the front and back teeth is nearly transparent. Dentin on the canines is thicker than on the rest of the teeth. As a result, they tend to be more yellow.

Bleaching Methods

 1. Bleach “dead” teeth from the inside out

The dentist drills a small hole right through the root canal area of the tooth. This method removes as little tooth tissue as possible. The bleaching agent is applied to the stained dead tooth by the dentist using a cotton ball. The dentist may administer the treatment once or more, depending on how well it works. Finally, he seals the tooth with a permanent filling.

2. Whitening the outside of “living” teeth with a case

First, your dentist will create a mold for your teeth. Our specialist can bleach even minor stains away from the exterior. This is done with a bleaching spoon. A dental technician uses this in the lab to create a whitening tray. This is made of soft plastic and is custom-fit to your teeth. This is significant because if the spoon fits properly, The spoon will nicely protect your gums from the bleaching agent (peroxide). This method of teeth whitening is risk-free. You will receive the bleaching spoon as well as the whitener gel.

3. Whiten your teeth with veneers.

Deep stains or stains around the edges of fillings can occur on teeth. If the tooth’s center color is so dark that you can’t whiten it at home, there’s the option of whitening the teeth with composite or porcelain veneers. This roughens the surface of the tooth and removes stains. After that, a thin layer of composite (a type of plastic) is applied to each tooth. This means that the dentist can alter the color and possibly even the shape of the teeth.

Alternatives to Teeth Whitening

Many people believe that getting their teeth whitened is the only way to achieve white, clean teeth. However, there are other options.

Of course, the most important method is prevention. If you don’t brush, rinse, or floss your teeth properly, you have a much lower chance of having healthy teeth. Nutrition is also essential, as is the frequency with which you drink coffee, tea, or smoke and how frequently you visit the dentist and dental hygienist to have your teeth checked and problems like cavities caught early.

Going to the dental hygienist can also be an excellent alternative to having  teeth whitening. When you visit the dentist once or twice a year, the dental hygienist will use a special brush to remove excess plaque and polish your teeth.

Primary dental is an expert in dental care for the elderly. We have extensive experience providing dental care for the elderly, and we have some dentists who have extensive experience creating beautiful veneers.

Do you have any concerns about the care or the cost? Please do not hesitate to contact us!

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