How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

No one likes the look of yellow teeth; tooth discolouration can make us feel embarrassed and too self-conscious to smile. We all want that bright, white smile that we see in commercials. But, many people do not know how to achieve whiter teeth, let alone how teeth whitening works.

We will explain how your enamel can become stained, how teeth whitening works, and the many ways that you can whiten your teeth in this blog.

 

How Do Teeth Become Stained?

Your teeth can change from white to yellow or brown for a number of reasons. Diet, tobacco use, age, trauma, and medications are the most common reasons.

Some foods and drinks are known to cause surface stains on your teeth. The common factor is their intense colour pigments called chromogens. These chromogens stick to the outer part of your tooth and stain tooth enamel.

If you want a whiter smile naturally, stop drinking coffee and red wine. Limit tobacco use or quit altogether.

Certain medications like antihistamines and antipsychotics are also known to cause brown teeth. Talk to your doctor about your medications, or consider dental crowns or porcelain veneers to mask the discoloration completely.

The Whitening Process

While whitening treatments may seem complicated, they are relatively simple. All teeth whitening procedures use peroxides like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These peroxides contain very few oxygen molecules, which is key to white teeth.

When the oxygen molecules from the peroxide come into contact with stains on your teeth, they react by breaking apart the chemical bonds that are responsible for holding the stains onto your enamel. The chemical reactions are minor, but some people are known to feel some discomfort while whitening teeth and tooth sensitivity afterwards.

How To Whiten Your Teeth

We will explain the difference between professional whitening products and over-the-counter products to help you decide which tooth whitening method is best for you.

At-Home Whitening Treatment

There are many whitening kits that you can purchase at your local pharmacy to whiten teeth at home. The most popular whitening options are toothpaste and strips.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is a bleaching product that can be incorporated into your daily oral health routine. As you brush your teeth twice a day, the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in the toothpaste will gently remove surface stains to brighten your teeth.

Most whitening toothpaste promises results in two to six weeks when used consistently. So, you can achieve a healthy and bright smile in only a few weeks.

We recommend that patients use teeth whitening toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA tests products to ensure that they are safe and effective teeth whiteners.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips, also known as whitening trays, are a popular whitening procedure. They're simple, straightforward, and effective. They also can be bought over the counter at your local grocery store or pharmacy.

Whitening kits use the same bleaching agent as professional tooth whitening products but at lower concentrations. This means that peroxide is still the active ingredient, but you will not see the same results as in-office whitening.

Note: Many people have sensitive teeth after using whitening strips.

Mouthwash or Rinses

Whitening rinses are another option for whitening your teeth. All you need to do is swish the liquid around in your mouth so it gets into the gaps between your teeth. The fluoride and peroxide will then work to clean and brighten your smile.

Professional Tooth Whitening

Dentists have access to highly concentrated tooth bleaching products that pharmacies and grocery stores cannot sell. In-office bleaching is a common cosmetic dentistry practice that only takes one visit to make your smile a shade lighter.

Here is what you can expect to happen when you have your teeth whitened:

1. The dentist will record the current shade of your smile.
2. We will polish the surface of your teeth with pumice or other mild abrasives to remove plaque and bacteria on your teeth's surface.
3. The dentist will put gauze on your gums to keep the rest of your mouth dry. They may also place a retractor to hold your mouth open.
4. A barrier is placed along the gum line to protect your gums from the whitening product.
5. Next, we apply the whitening gel to your teeth. The dentist will take care to ensure that the entire surface is covered to get a brighter smile.
6. Many whitening gels need a laser or curing light to activate. If your dentist uses a tooth whitening agent that requires a light or laser, you need to have it shone in your mouth for 30-60 minutes.
7. After a certain amount of time has elapsed, the dentist will rinse the teeth and remove the protective barriers from your mouth. They may also apply a fluoride product to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Professional whitening treatment is a fantastic way to get dramatic results. Call our office today to inquire about professional bleaching.