What is Teeth Whitening Treatment?

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, providing a rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective option to improve one’s smile. Whitening (or bleaching) procedures are universally valued by men and women equally, and there are options to suit every budget, time period, and temperament. Solutions abound, whether in the shape of professional one-hour whitening sessions at a dental facility or cosmetic salon, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore.

Almost everyone who chooses a teeth whitening solution notices a moderate to significant increase in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, it is not a permanent remedy to discolouration and requires maintenance or “touch-ups” to provide a long-lasting effect.

In this post, we will go over everything related to teeth whitening, such as the process of tooth discolouration, what causes staining, the many treatment techniques available, and the risks and expenses involved with them.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration & Staining?

Your teeth’s colour is determined by your lifestyle, nutrition, habits, and dental care practises. Tooth discolouration is classified into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic tooth stains are surface stains that accumulate naturally over the course of a person’s life. Consumption of dark-colored foods/beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and curry causes them. Extrinsic discolouration can also be caused by tobacco products.

Intrinsic tooth stains are those that occur on the inner layer of the teeth (dentin). These stains are more difficult to remove than superficial enamel stains (extrinsic). Excessive fluoride use and some drugs are typical causes of intrinsic discolouration.

The following are the principal causes of extrinsic and intrinsic tooth discoloration:

Genetics:

Each person has a unique set of pigmented teeth and enamel structures, which influences tooth colour. Some people are born with stronger teeth or darker enamel than others.

Radiation:

Some cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can cause tooth discolouration.

Natural ageing:

As people become older, the outer layer of enamel on their teeth falls away, causing discolouration and yellowing.

Amalgam dental restorations:

Because they contain sulphide, amalgam restorations (silver cavity fillings) can cause black tooth discolouration.

Durgs:

Tetracycline, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medicines can all induce tooth discolouration.

Tobacco products:

Smoking or chewing tobacco discolours teeth over time. Dentists advise quitting to keep your teeth, gums, and body healthy.

Dark-colored meals and drinks:

Excessive drinking of coffee, dark teas, soda, and red wine is a major cause of surface stains. Even dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, can stain the skin.

Taking tetracycline while pregnant:

Tetracycline (antibiotics for bacterial illnesses) taken by mothers when pregnant can cause tooth discolouration in their offspring.

Fluoride:

Excessive fluoride consumption, particularly from fluoridated tap water, can cause discolouration or leave white streaks on teeth.

Who can do teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a type of dentistry that should only be performed on the prescription of a dentist or another licenced dental practitioner, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist.

Some beauty shops provide teeth whitening, but this is unlawful if a dental practitioner is not present, and it may jeopardise your oral health.

You can also purchase do-it-yourself home teeth whitening products, but these come with their own set of hazards.

Types of Teeth Whitening Treatment

• Professional Teeth Whitening (In-Office Treatment)
• At-Home Teeth Whitening Solutions
• Over-The-Counter Whitening Products
• Whitening Pens
• LED Teeth Whitening Kits (At-Home)

What happens during teeth whitening?

If you want to get your teeth whitened, you’ll need to go to the dentist twice or three times.

The dentist will take an impression of your teeth in order to create a mouthguard and will instruct you on how to use it with a bleaching gel. Then, at home, you use your mouthguard to administer the gel for a set period of time over a few weeks. Some whitening gels can be applied for up to 8 hours at a time, which can cut treatment time in half.

Another sort of teeth whitening method that a dentist can provide is laser whitening, often known as power whitening. After applying a bleaching product to your teeth, a light or laser is shone on them to trigger the whitening. It takes roughly an hour to whiten teeth using a laser.

What about home kits and beauty salons for teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening should only be done by a registered dental expert because whitening by unqualified individuals, such as those working in beauty salons, is unlawful.

There are hazards associated with home kits as well. Before utilising a home kit, consult with your dentist first.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

The duration of whitening outcomes is determined by a number of factors. Your lifestyle, nutrition, habits, and the sort of whitening treatment you employ, for example, all have an impact on effectiveness.

It is recommended that at-home treatments receive a booster treatment every six months. For more intrusive professional procedures and whitening systems, you should not require another treatment for at least a year, if not longer.

Who Shouldn’t Whiten Their Teeth?

In addition to the aforementioned risk concerns, the following considerations should be made before performing teeth whitening:

• There is no way to achieve “unnaturally” white teeth through bleaching.
• Whitening results are not entirely visible until two weeks after bleaching. This is a crucial issue if you are preparing to have ceramic restorations installed and want to ensure that the colour matches your newly bleached teeth.
• If cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, or other restorations are part of your treatment plan, they should not be installed for at least two weeks after bleaching in order to assure adequate adhesive bonding, function, and shade matching.
• Tooth-colored restorations will almost certainly need to be replaced following bleaching to avoid the technicolour appearance.
• Recessed gums frequently have yellowish root surfaces visible at the gum line. It has proven tough to bleach that yellow tint.
• Pregnant or nursing women should avoid tooth whitening. The effects of ingested bleach on the pregnancy or newborn are unknown.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

The most prevalent side effect of teeth whitening procedure is tooth discomfort. The dentin layer of your teeth is exposed during the whitening procedure, which causes sensitivity. Dentin is the layer that lies behind your enamel (the white layer covering your teeth).

When using over-the-counter whitening, the sensitivity will only go away when you stop using the product.

When it comes to professional whitening, your dentist can help you avoid and/or cure any sensitivity that may emerge.

When the whitening gel comes into touch with your gums, it can cause inflammation. This discomfort usually goes away within 24 to 48 hours. It will continue if the gel comes into contact with the gums.

Other potential negative effects of at-home teeth whitening (not under the supervision of a dentist) include:

• Whitening effects were reversed (teeth appearing more discoloured than before)
• Loss of tooth enamel (the tooth’s protective coating), which can lead to cavities
• Risk of tooth fracture and damage is increased.

Maintaining Your Results

Dentists are likely to propose the following steps to extend the life of newly whitened teeth:

• At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening can be done right away or as infrequently as once a year.
• For at least a week after whitening, avoid dark-colored meals and beverages.
• When possible, sip dark-colored beverages through a straw.
• Brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime are examples of good oral hygiene.

Tips for Preventing Tooth Discoloration

Tooth stains can be caused by neglecting basic oral care (e.g., brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash).

Discoloration can also be caused by plaque formation from coffee, tea, dark-pigmented meals, soda, tobacco, and red wine. This plaque becomes increasingly difficult to remove over time, potentially leading to cavities and gum disease.

Keep the following tips in mind to avoid tooth discoloration:

• Professional teeth cleanings should be done twice a year.
• You should not smoke or use tobacco products.
• Avoid eating junk food and anything that are artificially coloured.
• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss before night. Limit your use of staining goods such as soda, red wine, tea, coffee, dyed meals, and so on.
• Use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash a few times per week (but not excessively).
• Use over-the-counter or professional whitening treatments to whiten your teeth.

What if I’m not happy with the results?

If you are not happy with the results, speak to the dental professional who carried out your treatment to ask for advice.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The cost of teeth whitening therapy varies according to the type. However, because teeth whitening is purely cosmetic, it is not covered by insurance.

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