Teeth
whitening is the most
commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure. It’s designed to enhance your
appearance
by reducing tooth
discoloration and staining to elicit a brighter,
whiter smile.
Tooth discoloration and
staining is a relatively common problem. Teeth are porous and are therefore not
stain resistant.
Red wine, soda, coffee and
tea, among other food and drink, contribute to the discoloration of teeth over
time. Medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline can cause significant
staining, resulting in yellow, grayish teeth. Smokers’ teeth can become
permanently stained if the discoloration is not treated in a timely manner.
Discoloration can also occur secondary to conditions such as fluorosis, dentin
and enamel dysplasia and dental caries.
Tooth trauma caused by a
fall or collision can cause tooth discoloration. Trauma could result in tooth
death (tooth necrosis) which would cause discoloration. Typically, root canal
therapy is required as the treatment for tooth necrosis, after which internal
bleaching can be performed to correct discoloration.
Tooth brushing alone can’t
brighten teeth dulled by years of exposure to such discoloring agents. In fact,
people with dull teeth sometimes over-brush in an attempt to eliminate stains,
and this can harm the enamel covering of the tooth.
More often than not, teeth
whitening serves as an adequate solution to discoloration. However, the
effectiveness of teeth whitening can vary, depending on the individual. Also,
whitening procedures can cause temporary tooth sensitivity, which varies in
intensity from person to person.
Teeth whitening can be
performed either in-office by your dentist or at home by you. While in-office
whitening produces an immediate and often dramatic effect, many people
appreciate at-home whitening for its flexibility and lower cost.
The advantage of having
your teeth whitened in the dental office is that this approach is fast and
produces immediate improvement. Typically, your teeth can be whitened by
several shades within 45 minutes, dramatically improving your appearance in the
shortest possible time. Tooth shade charts are used during the consultation
stage of treatment to establish your current shading and determine your
whitening goal. In-office whitening is unique in this respect, as your dentist
has more control over achieving your specific teeth whitening goals.
During your teeth whitening
procedure, you are made comfortable while your teeth are prepared. Your dentist
places a guard in your mouth to protect the lips and gums from a whitening gel
that is applied to the teeth.
In some types of in-office
whitening, application of the whitening gel occurs in three sessions over the
course of the visit. A special lamp is used to activate the whitening gel and
speed up the whitening process. Once the gel is activated, it remains on the
teeth for 15-20 minutes until the next application.
Disadvantages of in-office
teeth whitening include cost and greater incidence of temporary tooth
sensitivity. Since in-office, one-time regimens use potent whitening agents,
there’s more potential for temporary sensitivity.
The most effective at-home
whitening systems use a prescription-strength gel kit your dentist provides.
Most kits contain mouth trays that you fill with the whitening gel and place
over your teeth for varying times, from a few minutes to overnight.
Application times vary
greatly for the various dentist-dispensed, at-home products. Wear times of
30-60 minutes, once or twice a day, are common; results are achieved in a
little as three days, but more commonly 5-10 or more days.
Advantages of at-home
products include cost and the ability to re-treat as needed. Although it takes
longer, many people find that eventually the results of at-home whitening are on
par with in-office procedures.
While the
dentist-prescribed at-home whitening systems are more effective than other
at-home options, you may choose a less expensive over-the-counter teeth
whitening kit. These kits may contain whitening gel and application trays, or
whitening strips that you place on the surface of your teeth.
Whitening has become
popular to the point that many toothpastes and mouthwashes are now infused with
whitening agents. Toothpaste whitening is an inexpensive option, but it’s
relatively ineffective. Toothpastes may be gritty and abrasive to the enamel,
can only remove stains on the surface of the teeth and don’t actually change
the whiteness of your teeth.
In order to maximize the
longevity of your whitening treatment, it is important to avoid food and drink
that could stain your teeth for about a week after whitening, as well as to
refrain from smoking.
Your dentist will advise
you to maintain excellent oral hygiene (brush and floss after every meal) and
steer clear of some of the more common causes of discoloration (coffee, tea,
red wine, etc.). To help avoid future staining, dentists often suggest using a
straw, even with coffee and tea. Smokers wishing to undergo whitening treatment
are advised to stop smoking in order to prevent the staining it causes.