What Is Teeth Whitening?
Also called teeth bleaching, it is a procedure of lightening your teeth’s colour by removing discolouration and stains. Teeth whitening can be done either at home or in the dentist’s office with products that mostly contain hydrogen peroxide.
What Causes Discoloured Teeth?
Teeth may discolour either to a yellow or brownish colour. Several factors can cause a colour change.
Dental plaque – This is a clear bacteria biofilm that forms naturally in the mouth, especially along the gum line. The film is usually invisible on the teeth. But some bacteria may stain the film and cause discolouration.
Food and drink – Foods and beverages that contain high sugar levels may discolour our teeth because they create a conducive environment for bacteria to breed. Those bacteria then digest those sugars into acids, which erode the enamel, exposing the yellow under-layer.
- Also, foods with high citric acid like lemons, tangerines, and oranges can cause teeth discolouration because of the high acid levels that erode the enamel.
- Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine also contribute to teeth discolouration because of their dark colours that continuously stain the teeth.
Tobacco smoking- The tar present in tobacco adds a yellow-brownish stain on the neck of the teeth. When combined with oxygen, the tar and nicotine in the tobacco turns yellow and absorbs into the enamel’s pores with time.
Metallic compounds – We can get exposed to some metallic compounds like iron, copper, iodine, and nickel through the water we drink, certain medications, or inhaling dust containing these metals. They may enter the teeth’s bony structure and permanently discolour our teeth.
Bad oral hygiene – lack of proper and regular brushing and flossing will cause food particles to stick on and between our teeth, which eventually lead to yellowing and staining.
Medication – Some antibiotics and mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine are known to stain and discolour teeth.
Trauma – Suffering trauma on the teeth results in the tooth laying down more dentin, which is the inner yellow layer of the tooth.
Age – As we grow older, the enamel erodes, exposing the yellow layer of the teeth.
Disease – Some diseases may affect the tooth enamel and dentin, causing discolouration. Also, treatment like chemotherapy for head and neck cancer may affect the enamel.
Genetics – Some of us naturally have whiter teeth.
What Are The Options For Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can be done at a dentist’s office or at home. Most of the products contain hydrogen peroxide.
At-home Teeth Whitening Products
1. Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is a perfect way to deal with removing surface stains.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Readily available.
- Good for organic stains.
Cons
- Not effective in removing significant stains.
- It may erode the enamel.
2. Whitening strips
These are adhesive strips applied to the teeth. They contain active ingredients such as carbamide peroxide.
Pros
- Easy and quick to use.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Sometimes the adhesive fails.
- May cause gum and tooth sensitivity.
- Overusing can damage the enamel.
- Uneven and impermanent results.
3. Whitening gels
These gels contain some peroxide compounds that help bleach the teeth.
Pros
- Whiten individual teeth.
- Easy to apply.
- No need for dental trays.
Cons
- Sometimes the adhesive fails.
- May cause gum and tooth sensitivity.
- Overusing can damage the enamel.
4. Dental trays
These are gadgets made from flexible materials that mould and fit around the teeth gently, allowing whitening between and on the teeth. These trays are filled with peroxide-based bleaching pastes or gel.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Convenient.
- Last longer.
Cons
- Overusing may damage your teeth.
What Are The Risks Of Teeth Whitening?
Some effects include pain in the tongue and gums as well as tooth sensitivity. If you extend the whitening process, there might also be the risk of over-whitening, resulting in a translucency, which may look grey from the mouth’s shadows.
There is a risk of ingesting the whitening products or chemicals with home whitening, resulting in burning in the gums and tongue, nausea, or vomiting.
Other Alternatives To Using Peroxide
Instead of using a material with peroxide or that would damage the teeth in the long run, there are natural ways that we can use to whiten our teeth, such as eating fruits like pineapples and strawberries, oil pulling, and using activated charcoal.
Brushing with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can also help, but overusing them can damage the gum and the enamel.
Professional Teeth Whitening
You can access a range of treatments at the dentist’s office. Some of them involve using bleaching products with peroxide compounds or removing the tooth’s stained top layer.
Pros
- Long-lasting results.
- The process is easy and quick.
- It is done by a professional.
Cons
- More costly than at-home methods.
- May weaken the teeth if done often, leading to sensitivity.
Professional Dental Whitening Vs. Do At Home Vs. Take-Home Dental Kits
Professional dental whitening is done by a dentist, which means that the results will be perfect and last longer. As a dentist does these procedures, you have the surety that the work is safe, and you are not creating damage to your teeth and gums.
Typically, you will need to make an appointment with the dentist for a teeth whitening assessment and procedure.
Do at-home whitening or using take-home dental kits can be done at any time, and the products don’t always have to contain peroxide compounds. There is also no waiting time, but there is the possibility of mistake or overdoing the whitening if you don’t carefully follow instructions.
Hydrogen Peroxide Vs. Peroxide Free
Using hydrogen peroxides helps get rid of deep and stubborn stains, while peroxide-free methods may not remove those stubborn stains. However, hydrogen peroxide products can have effects like gum and teeth sensitivity while peroxide-free substances do not.
What Whitening Treatments Do We Offer?
If you want to whiten your teeth and get the best results, you should visit a reputable dental care centre like Your Healthy Smile. We offer two teeth whitening treatments.
In-chair whitening
In-chair teeth whitening is the right treatment for people who are in a hurry to get their teeth whitened for a photoshoot, party, or wedding. First, we do a thorough gum and teeth assessment, and the procedure takes about an hour.
In-chair whitening uses laser whitening, which is safe and does not cause tooth sensitivity. This means it’s suitable for patients of all ages. It is also affordable, starting at $299.
Take-Home Whitening Kit: Pola light professional kits with light activation
Pola light is an improved dental whitening system that uses Pola’s whitening formula and an LED light mouthpiece to speed up the whitening procedure. These kits are affordable, safe, and easy to use. They have no lab fees and do not need us to take dental impressions.
For best results, they should be used twice for 10 or 15 minutes daily for five days. The light can be recharged and has a 2-year warranty. The kit also has a complementary touch and go whitening pen and three whitening syringes.
Call us on 02 9670 6991 for special prices for our teeth whitening procedures.