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Professional Teeth Whitening Services: A Look At Calcium Phosphate-Based Formulations

A beautiful, bright and white smile can easily transform your face and make you appear a lot more attractive and friendly. It is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S., with the teeth whitening industry pulling in a total annual revenue of approximately $11 billion. There are plenty of teeth whitening kits available over-the-counter and teeth whitening services offered by dentists. The teeth whitening mechanism employed will vary. If you want to have pearly white teeth, look for teeth whitening services or kits that use calcium phosphate-based formulations rather than peroxide-based formulations.

An Overview of Calcium Phosphate-Based Formulations

Teeth whitening gel formulas vary based on who the manufacturer is. Different elements and chemicals are incorporated into the formulas in order to achieve distinct results, such as a decrease in sensitivity or better teeth whitening results. With the vast amount of different formulas that are present on the market, it can be difficult to choose which teeth whitening procedure may be best for you. Although there are many formulas for you to choose from, formulas that feature a calcium phosphate base are highly recommended.

The reason behind the formula's popularity lies in the chemical composition of teeth enamel. Teeth enamel is made from biological apatites in the form of calcium hydroxyapatite, which is basically a composition of calcium, phosphorous, oxygen and hydrogen. In short, calcium phosphate-based formulas are designed to replenish the minerals present in the enamel during the whitening procedures. Peroxide-based formulas, on the other hand, simply do not possess many vital minerals that are needed by teeth enamel.

Common Distinct Advantages of Calcium Phosphate-Based Formulations

As teeth whitening does not harm teeth enamel, many scientists and dentists were unsure of whether a calcium phosphate-based formulation would offer distinct advantages over peroxide-based formulas and other alternatives on the market. Fortunately, the recommendations are not unfounded, as studies have suggested that calcium phosphate-based formulas are strongly associated with higher quality teeth whitening results, although the exact mechanism or reason behind why is still debatable. Some of the more common distinct advantages that calcium phosphate-based formulas can offer include:

  • a higher increase in overall teeth whiteness and brightness. There are several hypothesis surrounding how this happens, although the most strongly supported hypothesis is that the remineralization process that can be achieved with a calcium phosphate-based formula will result in smoother teeth surface. This may cause an increased diffuse reflection of light, which may basically enhance the appearance of the whitened teeth.
  • a decrease in hypersensitivity experienced as a result of the procedure. Calcium phosphates will react with the saliva and can become a desensitizing agent. This means that teeth whitening services or kits with calcium phosphate-based formulations are most ideal for those who have always suffered from sensitive teeth. If you're one of these people, you'll typically recover faster from the teeth whitening procedure and won't feel any type of sensitivity at all for a more pleasant experience.
  • increase in remineralization of the teeth enamel. This contributes to promoting better oral and dental health in general.

Conclusion

As there are many different teeth whitening services offered by dentists and teeth whitening kits that can be purchased over-the-counter or at your local store, it is important to read up on the ingredients and chemicals that are used. While there are many different whitening gels that can whiten your natural teeth color several shades, different gels will have their own efficacy. The gist of it is that you can never go wrong with calcium phosphate-based formulations. These formulations are suitable for just about anyone, and have been tested time and time again by researchers and dentists alike. Contact a professional, like those at Willowdaile Family Dentistry, for more information.


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