Tooth Whitening Demystified
Is the Hollywood white smile realistic to achieve? Is it safe to whiten teeth? What's the best way to navigate the myriad of tooth whitening products and options available?
Tooth colour is affected by genetics, age and the accumulation of stains acquired from the use of tobacco products and the consumption of certain foods or drinks. In addition, the perception of tooth colour is affected by skin tone and make-up.
In the quest for a brighter smile two types of products are used: surface whiteners or tooth bleaches.
Surface whiteners
These products help to remove surface stains only and do not lighten the tooth from the inside. These products include: whitening toothpastes, charcoal or activated charcoal toothpastes, purple toothpastes, chewing gum, and professional cleaning (scaling and polishing). Please be cautious! In order to remove stains on teeth, a lot of over-the-counter products can be abrasive on tooth enamel and damage the surface of your teeth.
Tooth Bleaches
The active ingredients in these products pass into the structure of teeth to break down internal stain deep down. Most of these products are peroxide based and can be used both in the dental office or at home.
In-Office Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening done in a dental office can get teeth brighter faster. The peroxide-based bleaching gel used is usually much stronger compared to the at-home kits. Although heat, light, or a combination of the two may be used in addition to a whitening gel, it is the whitening gel that does most of the whitening. Most of these products do require an at-home whitening component to be done following the in-office whitening.
At-Home Teeth Bleaching Options
There are many choices for bleaching teeth at home both professionally supervised or over-the-counter options.
Tray-based tooth bleaching systems
Custom-fitted thin trays which are made by your dental professional, are filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel and worn over teeth. These trays are generally used for 10-14 days from 30 minutes a day to overnight applications depending on the type of gel. Although this process takes longer compared to in-office options, it is a gentle way of achieving and maintaining great results.
Tooth whitening strips and gels
These products are provided by your dental professional or bought over-the-counter and are applied directly to teeth with a brush or a thin strip. Strips may be technique sensitive to apply and paint on gels may not be as effective as the tray-based systems.
Professionally-supervised tooth whitening, and some over-the-counter products are very effective. Few people may achieve the Hollywood white smile, but most will get great results and achieve a more naturally looking bright smile. How well tooth bleaches work largely depends on the individual and on their unique dental characteristics. Some teeth or areas of teeth are more resistant to whitening. In general, yellow and orange stains tend to lighten best while teeth with a more grey hue are more resistant to treatment. Fillings, bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns do not whiten. People that have untreated cavities should not use tooth whitening.
It’s worth noting that tooth whitening is not a permanent solution no matter which system is used. Stains will continually accumulate in the tooth. This means that touching up or freshening up the whitening is necessary to maintain the lighter colour.
You will want to speak to your dentist about tooth sensitivity, a common temporary side effect of all the whitening products. There are several ways you can reduce sensitivity, including desensitizing toothpastes, reducing acidic food, and skipping a day or two between applications. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, women undergoing fertility treatment, and patients with serious health concerns should also avoid tooth whiteners. Remember, it’s always best to ask your dentist if you are using an over-the-counter product.
No matter what you decide about teeth whitening, keep smiling! Your smile will always look good on you.