Teeth Whitening
What is
Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive, and affordable way to enhance a smile.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Age:
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive, and affordable way to enhance a smile.
Starting Color:
We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey and intensifies over time.
Translucency & Thinness:
These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent – most notably the front teeth.
Eating Habits:
The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges, citric foods, vinegar, colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years.
Smoking Habits:
Nicotine leaves brownish deposits that slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.
Tetracycline Chemicals:
Tetracycline usage during tooth formation produces dark grey or brown ribbon stains which are very difficult to remove.
Excess fluoride Consumption:
Excessive consumption of fluoride causes fluorosis and associated areas of white mottling.
Grinding:
Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing, etc.) can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken.
Trauma:
Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth, which collect large amounts of stains and debris.
Why you Should do the Procedure?
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive, and affordable way to enhance a smile.
Teeth whitening boosts your self-confidence
Teeth whitening enhances your appearance
Teeth whitening minimizes the look of wrinkles
Patients Who Are Not Eligible For
Teeth Whitening Process
Certain people should not use teeth whitening products
- Patients who have teeth that have become transparent as part of the aging process.
- Patients who are sensitive to peroxide or other chemicals used in their chosen teeth whitening treatment.
- Patients who have ultra-sensitive teeth or gums, which may be irritated by the chemicals used in the whitening process.
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Outcome Of The Procedure
Once complete, the whitening procedure can achieve four to six shades of whitening after only one session. Some patients experience tooth or gum sensitivity after whitening, but this usually goes away within a day or two.
Indications That You Need Teeth Whitening
- General stains on your teeth; Getting older teeth
- Dental fluorosis – fluorosis with many spots on teeth that can be whitened may help.
- Tobacco smoke and food stains, like those from tea and coffee.
- There have been changes inside your tooth, such as the death of the nerve or root canal treatment.
Benefits Of Teeth Whitening
- It can make a serious difference to the appearance of your teeth
- Improved confidence in all areas of your life.
- Improved attractiveness to the opposite sex.
- Enhanced opportunities at work.
- Teeth whitening is one of the most affordable options for cosmetic dental treatment.
- Great teeth can improve your overall appearance.
- White smiles also give the impression of healthiness.
- Enhanced social opportunities.
- Teeth whitening is non-invasive, virtually painless, & does not have any harmful side effects.
- White smiles minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles and give you a younger overall appearance.
- Depending on which teeth whitening process you choose, it can be performed in your own home or the comfort of your dentist’s office in just a short amount of time.
What are Your Whitening Options?
In-Office Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive, and affordable way to enhance a smile.
Duration:
Generally, the peroxide remains on the teeth for several 15 to 20-minute intervals that add up to an hour (at most).
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Kits
Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel. The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that resemble mouth guards.
Duration:
It remains on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight).
Over-The-Counter Products
Over-the-counter bleaching involves the use of a store-bought whitening kit, featuring a bleaching gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, strips, or paint-on applicators.
Some Before & After Images
During The Teeth Whitening Procedure
Applying a Gel
The dentist applies a gel made of 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide to your front teeth. Hydrogen peroxide can penetrate the porous outer layer of your teeth and break apart stain compounds using a chemical reaction called oxidation.
Applying high-powered light
The dentist applies a gel made of 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide to your front teeth. Hydrogen peroxide can penetrate the porous outer layer of your teeth and break apart stain compounds using a chemical reaction called oxidation.
Reapplication of Gel
Most systems involve multiple applications of the gel throughout the whitening session. The dentist will rinse off the gel and reapply a fresh coat as many times as necessary within the space of about 40 minutes.
Aftercare Teeth Whitening Procedure
- Avoid any dark-staining drinks like Tea, Coffee, Red Wine, colored soft or alcoholic drinks, and fruit juice.
- Avoid all dark-staining foods like bolognese, soy sauce, red meat, chocolate, and all fruit except bananas.
- Avoid any foods or drinks that would leave a stain on a white shirt.
- No Smoking for 24 hours, smoking a cigarette within the first 24 Hours will stain your teeth
- The moderate use of electronic cigarettes is OK.
- Avoid colored toothpaste (red or blue) or Mouthwash for 24 hours.
- Food and drinks that may be consumed are as follows.
- Plain chicken, fish & chips, potatoes, plain pasta and white sauces, cereals, Milk, 7up, and white wine, once it is clear or white. More information and white food recipes are available on our website.
After Care To Maintain Results For a Long Duration
While the effects of whitening can last quite a while (months to years), depending on diet and other habits (like smoking!), the stains on teeth will eventually return.
Some dentists may recommend professional home whitening kits.
While over-the-counter kits from the drugstore are cheap and offer the convenience of at-home bleaching without a visit to the dentist, they are slower and less effective than professional whitenings.
Risks of Teeth Whitening
- Sensitivity of the teeth and gums, particularly if using one of the higher-strength whitening agents.
- Gum irritation.
- Bleaching results cannot be guaranteed and will vary depending on your age, lifestyle, genetics, and the initial color and condition of your teeth.
- If bleaching agents seep into your tooth through a crack or unfilled cavity, it can be extremely painful and cause internal tooth damage that may require further treatment such as a root canal.
- You may also see uneven results with over-the-counter products.
- Teeth whitening is not a permanent fix and how long results will last will vary depending on your age, genetics, and lifestyle.
- Teeth that have suffered trauma from the inside, have been affected by fluorosis and those with inorganic stains may not be affected by whitening at all.
- Over-whitening.
FAQs for Teeth Whitening
Who should use teeth whitening?
Generally, anyone with healthy gums and teeth that are looking to brighten up their smile can benefit from the professional teeth whitening system. It is highly effective at removing stains from teeth, including tobacco, coffee, tea, tetracycline, and various other tooth stains. A professional teeth whitening system will not affect existing dental work.
Does the whitening system work on Dentures or Veneers?
Typically the gel product is only applied to natural teeth, allowing these treated teeth to lighten up to match a cap, crown, or veneer.
Is tooth whitening bad for your teeth?
Studies of teeth whitening products using 10% carbamide peroxide showed no effect on the hardness or mineral content of a tooth’s enamel surface. Professional teeth whitening does not cause permanent damage to the enamel on your teeth and is considered harmless by most dental health professionals.
Is tooth whitening bad for your teeth?
Typically the gel product is only applied to natural teeth, allowing these treated teeth to lighten up to match a cap, crown, or veneer.
How long do the teeth whitening effects last?
Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening treatment or touch-up is needed.
Does the treatment hurt?
Teeth whitening may cause sensitivity during or after treatment and slight discomfort in the gums. Both of these side effects are usually temporary and will disappear a few days after treatment.
