Teeth whitening in Faro, Algarve: Whiten your teeth in Portugal

Teeth whitening, also known as dental bleaching, is a clinical procedure to whiten yellowed, darkened, and stained teeth due to the action of bacteria or pigments from natural or artificial foods.

The results of the treatment, whatever the technique, are whiter teeth. The result may vary between each person, depending on a number of factors to be discussed in the consultation.

There is no average duration for the results of whitening treatments as various factors, such as diet, local microbiota, and structural characteristics of the teeth, influence the rate of yellowing and darkening of the teeth. However, although touch-ups are allowed every year, they are usually not necessary at intervals shorter than 3 years.

Below, we list Portuguese habits you should avoid if you want to prolong your teeth whitening:

1. Consuming drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine frequently can darken teeth due to the pigments present in these beverages.
2. Smoking can also darken teeth due to carbon monoxide and other chemicals present in tobacco.
3. Eating foods with artificial or natural dyes, such as red fruits or soft drinks, can also contribute to teeth darkening.
4. Some medications can also darken teeth, including certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and some skin disease treatments.
5. Excessive use of abrasive dental products, such as toothpaste or mouthwashes, can also lead to teeth darkening.

Although tooth whitening is a widely used technique, not everyone can do it. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a professional who will evaluate each case.

The contraindications fpr tooth whitening include:

• pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• people with enamel formation problems (white spots);
• patients with gum bleeding;
• people with tooth sensitivity or gum irritation;
• patients who have recently undergone chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy;
• people with many restorations on their teeth;
• patients with resin restorations, dental veneers, or porcelain crowns will not change color, and may have a different shade after the teeth are whitened, possibly requiring replacement;
• individuals under 18 years old.

Temporary sensitivity to cold and bleeding gums are transient complications that may be present during the application of bleaching agents.

To obtain a good result and maintain it after bleaching, some basic care is necessary, namely:

• food: avoid foods that have a high acidity rate; avoid colored foods or drinks with dyes; avoid the consumption of acidic juices and soft drinks.
• hygiene: it is essential to follow the dentist’s recommendation regarding oral hygiene; wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic or dyed foods
• change of habits: habits that impair the quality of teeth should be left aside, such as tobacco, frequent consumption of strongly colored foods, coffee, black tea.

No! Some homemade recipes – such as lemon, baking soda and orange peel – can even remove stains from teeth, but they also wear out the enamel, being expressly contraindicated.

Therefore, it is important to follow only the recommendations of a specialist: only he can guide you if you really need to do tooth whitening, which type is best and what degree of whitening you can achieve.

As we age, teeth darken because the enamel wears away, making the dentin (the tissue underneath that determines the tooth color) more visible. The dentin becomes denser, which makes the teeth darker.