Teeth Whitening – The Facts
You probably regularly see adds for the best new products for teeth whitening but have no idea what actually works. Let’s first explore the science behind whitening and why teeth discolor and then we’ll talk about teeth whitening options.
Teeth Whitening – How Does it Work
Teeth whitening isn’t exactly bleaching, but teeth whitening gels do typically contain bleaching agents (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). The term bleaching is only used when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. On the other hand, teeth whitening can be used for any product that removes debris and plaque helping to restore teeth to their natural color. So, any product that cleans can be considered a teeth whitener – a clever marketing trick.
Teeth start out sparkling white and over time small cracks develop and the enamel wears down. The very small cracks that form fill with debris and stains discoloring the teeth. Another source of discoloration is enamel break down, which causes the enamel to become more transparent and exposes the yellow dentin.
Staining of the teeth has several sources, but some of the worst culprits are red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored beverages and foods. In addition, acidic foods or drinks such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion and transparency allowing the yellow-colored dentin to show through.
As you can imagine, the more stains the more difficult it is to restore teeth to their natural color. Consequently, younger people will experience more dramatic results quickly whereas older individuals may require more treatments. It may not be possible to achieve desired results if significant enamel loss has occurred and the teeth have become more translucent. Your dentist will advise you on what you can realistically expect.
Teeth Whitening – Your Options
There are basically three options: in-office whitening, professional in-home whitening kits (provided by your dentist), and over the counter whitening kits.
In-office teeth whitening is the most effective option, but is also the most extreme and expensive. In-office whitening uses high concentration peroxide, which requires gum protection and is performed by a dentist or a trained technician. There are several different options available and some whitening procedure are more comfortable than others, but most can give excellent results. Patients may experience more sensitivity with in-office whitening than with at-home products. This procedure typically takes 1-2 hours.
Professional whitening kits are an effective approach to whitening that can be used for many years. Kits usually include custom trays that are molded from impressions of your teeth and whitening gel. Gel droplets are specifically placed in the tray and the tray are then worn for the directed amount of time (approx. 20 minutes). Dramatic results can be seen within one to two weeks of use. In-office whitening and home whitening kits used in combination can be very effective. One advantage of professional kits is that the trays can last for years and all that is needed after the initial investment is the gel, which is relatively inexpensive.
The third option is over the counter whitening. Thee are several options like whitening strips. These products are effective but can take more time than the other options. The advantage of over the counter products is that they do not require a visit to the dentist (which isn’t a reason to go with this option) and are less expensive. Whitestrips can take several weeks to complete treatment and achieve the desired results.
These are the basics of teeth whitening. We encourage you to explore options and different products on the web to see what is best for you. Also, talk to your dentist to learn about teeth whitening risks and to better understand what you can and can’t expect.