Teeth whitening is a chemical process that uses the action of oxidizing substances. Over the centuries, specialists have used various substances and their combinations.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure aimed at lightening the color of teeth and removing stains or discoloration. The goal is to make teeth look brighter and more attractive. This can be done through various methods, ranging from professional treatments performed by a dentist to over-the-counter products used at home.
The color of teeth
is related to many factors. First, our natural genetic conditions impact it. If we inherited a crystal-white tooth color from our ancestors, we should not have any problems maintaining it. However, achieving snow-white teeth may be more difficult for people whose teeth are naturally darker—they have a slightly beige, yellow, or even brown shade.
It should be noted that although snow-white teeth are currently fashionable and considered aesthetic, this color is not completely natural for most people. Natural permanent teeth most often have a yellowish-white or even yellowish-brown shade.
In addition, the color of teeth tends to change during life. It results from natural processes occurring in the aging body and is a consequence of our lifestyle habits. The latter include diet, stimulants, medications, hygiene, and dental care.
As we age, our teeth naturally darken. It can be attributed to various factors, such as changes in tooth color during development, discoloration from root canal treatment, staining caused by caries, and the accumulation of discoloring substances on the teeth.
A bright smile is often associated with liveliness, confidence, and youthful appeal, making it a coveted hallmark of attractiveness. That is why the wish for whiter teeth is a versatile aspiration that transcends culture and time.
Teeth whitening at the dentist's is a fast and painless method to brighten your smile. The procedure can lighten the enamel in just an hour by several shades—the results typically last several months.
However, there are some downsides to consider. After the procedure, teeth may become sensitive to cold despite the protective substances used. Following a white diet for about two weeks can also be challenging for many people. Additionally, teeth whitening at the dentist's can be prohibitive for some individuals.
It is important to note that whitening substances do not work on fillings and prosthetic restorations, which may need to be replaced after the procedure. Lastly, light spots on teeth and discolorations caused by fluorosis will whiten but remain lighter than the enamel.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are absolute contraindications to teeth whitening with a lamp. Moreover, be careful if you have general health issues like:
Allergy to whitening agents is also a concern. Lastly, dentists do not recommend teeth whitening for children and adolescents under 16 years.
Another approach is overlay whitening, a more time-consuming process requiring multiple visits to the dentist's office and the patient's active participation. Despite these demands, this method offers numerous benefits and is quite popular.
Initially, the dentist creates an impression of the patient's teeth, based on which two custom splints, or overlays, are made. The patient wears these overlays for at least 14 days, 4 hours daily or overnight. During this period, hydrogen peroxide, the active whitening agent, is evenly and gradually applied to the teeth using the splints, along with a set of syringes and detailed instructions for use provided to the patient.
Apart from the lower price, this procedure has the advantage of allowing the dentist to control slow chemical processes occurring on the surface of the teeth, which makes overlay whitening an exceptionally safe method.
Dental and aesthetic medicine clinics provide teeth whitening treatments using various methods, including laser whitening. During this process, a gel containing whitening agents is applied to the teeth, and the substance is activated with laser light. Laser teeth whitening is a quick procedure – the entire procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, and its effect, in the form of a few to a dozen percent brightening, lasts 2 to 3 years.
Remember that teeth after the procedure may show hypersensitivity and a short-term susceptibility to staining. For this reason, patients are recommended to follow a several-day white diet free from beets, berries, wine, and other staining products.
Patients who decide to have their teeth whitened at a dentist must be properly prepared for the procedure. First, a specialist carries out a dental examination, during which the condition of the teeth and periodontium will be assessed. The dentist will check the condition of the fillings, their number and tightness, and the presence of prosthetic restorations such as crowns and bridges. Porcelain fillings will not whiten the teeth, so you should consider replacing them.
If there are no contraindications to the procedure, the dentist will insert a mouth gag into the patient's mouth, i.e., a device that moves the cheeks away from the teeth, assess their color, and take a photograph. Then, a liquid rubber dam will be applied to the gums to protect them.
The gel is applied and exposed to light thrice, lasting about 15–20 minutes each cycle. After the procedure, a substance is used to prevent enamel hypersensitivity.
Laser whitening requires appropriate, prior preparation. It is worth deciding on an earlier visit to the dentist's office. Many of them offer a free consultation, which is an introduction to the planned treatment. On this basis, the doctor will assess the possibility of teeth whitening and its expected effects.
It is worth remembering that an individual approach to each patient plays a crucial role in aesthetic dentistry. In some people, the effects of the same procedure may differ significantly.
Before whitening, perform hygiene. In addition to removing tartar, sandblasting the teeth is also worth it. It allows you to remove stubborn deposits that can reduce the quality of treatment.
Before the procedure, conservative dental treatment is also necessary. Otherwise, the chemical agents present in the whitening preparation may irritate the tooth pulp. Such situations can have severe consequences, and damaged teeth may require root canal treatment.
Contraindications to teeth whitening include:
Despite professionally performed treatment, some patients experience side effects. Gum irritation and post-treatment tooth hypersensitivity are the most common ailments after laser teeth whitening. In most cases, unpleasant ailments disappear after a few days. If they persist for a longer period, remember to consult a doctor.
Remember to maintain the effects of teeth whitening; it is crucial to adhere to post-treatment guidelines. It is necessary to follow a white diet for at least 14 days.
It should be noted that maintaining the whitening effect also depends on oral hygiene. Daily tooth brushing, dental floss, and mouthwash are the bare minimum. Regular hygiene is also necessary.
Stop smoking for 2-3 weeks. Later, mild whitening toothpaste can be used to maintain the whitening effect.
As mentioned earlier, following teeth whitening, it is advisable to follow a white diet for at least seven days to avoid staining. This diet should consist of foods such as poultry, white bread, rice, white vegetables, bananas, and dairy products. It is also essential to avoid foods and drinks that can stain teeth, such as beets, tomatoes, dark fruits, coffee, and red wine.
The price of laser teeth whitening depends on many factors. One of them is the place where we decided to have the treatment. The location and prestige of the clinic can affect the costs of medical procedures.
Keeping your teeth's aesthetic color in good shape requires regular and thorough tooth brushing. In addition to brushing in the morning and evening, it's also significant to clean your teeth thoroughly after consuming certain beverages, such as coffee, tea, herbal infusions, red wine, and drinks with coloring agents. Regular consumption of these beverages can negatively impact the color of your tooth enamel.
Nowadays, modern medical technologies allow you to whiten your teeth at home. One popular option is the use of whitening strips, which contain a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide than clinical procedures.
Applying the strips is straightforward – place them on your upper and lower dental arches with the gel side, wait for about 30 minutes as per the instructions, and then remove them. This process should be done once a day, and it is important not to brush your teeth before or after using the strips.
Another alternative to whitening strips is a gel containing carbamide peroxide or urea peroxide.
Teeth whitening using whitening toothpaste is relatively straightforward, but it has drawbacks. These types of toothpaste work through two main mechanisms. Firstly, they contain a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Secondly, they utilize abrasion by including abrasive substances like calcium carbonate, silicon oxide, or magnesium hydroxide, which affect dentin and enamel.
The strength of these toothpastes is determined by their RDA (for dentin) and REA (for enamel) levels. Generally, the higher the levels, the greater the abrasiveness and whitening power. The strongest toothpastes have an RDA exceeding 80 or even 100. However, it would be best if you did not use them daily to avoid damaging the enamel. Daily toothpastes with an RDA level of 40-50 are generally considered sufficient.
The safety of teeth whitening depends on the method chosen. Procedures in a dental office are much safer than those done independently at home. In a clinic or office, the preparation used – despite containing much higher concentrations of active substances – is applied to the teeth's surface carefully and professionally, which is crucial for the gums surrounding the teeth. These actions reduce the risk of irritation, a standard complication after the whitening procedure. Dentists often use a liquid rubber dam to protect the gums, which is one of the most effective methods of shielding sensitive tissues from the effects of potent whitening preparations.
Home whitening, on the other hand, is somewhat different regarding safety. Unfortunately, the percentage of complications is much higher here. The most frequently observed issues are tooth hypersensitivity, gum sensitivity and tenderness, enamel erosions, and mucous membrane irritation.
Therefore, it is essential to consult a dentist before teeth whitening. The dentist will evaluate whether the health of your teeth and gums allows for the safe performance of the procedure.
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