A straightforward, non-invasive dental procedure called teeth whitening or bleaching can improve the appearance of your smile by altering the color of your natural tooth enamel. Whitening teeth can be done at home or in a dentist’s office. A substance known as peroxide is used in the process to whiten or bleach the teeth.
What Caused the Color Change in My Teeth?
Your teeth may become less white over time for a variety of reasons:
Food and Drink
Red wine, tea, and coffee are some of the main substances that cause stains. What is the connection between them? Chromogens are intensely colored pigments that adhere to the enamel, the white outer layer of your teeth.
Use of Tobacco
Tar and nicotine, two substances present in tobacco, produce stains that are difficult to remove. Tar is dark by nature. Until it is combined with oxygen, nicotine is colorless. After that, it changes into a yellowish material that stains surfaces.
Age
The dentin is a softer substance that lies beneath the enamel, the hard, white outer layer of your teeth. Brushing causes the outer layer of enamel to gradually thin, allowing more of the yellowish dentin to show through.
Trauma
Your tooth may change color if you’ve been struck in the mouth because it responds to damage by accumulating more dentin, a darker layer beneath the enamel.
Drugs
Some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure drugs can cause tooth darkening as a side effect. Adult teeth may become discolored later in life if young children are exposed to antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline while their teeth are developing (either in the womb or as a baby). Teeth can also be darkened by radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy.
What Is the Process of Whitening Teeth?
Whitening teeth is an easy procedure. One of two bleaches—hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—is present in whitening products. Your teeth will be brighter and the color less concentrated after using these bleaches because they break stains into smaller pieces.
Can All Teeth Get Whitened?
No, which is why it’s crucial to consult your dentist before choosing to whiten your teeth because not all discolorations can be fixed by whiteners. Gray teeth might not bleach at all, brown teeth might not bleach as well, and yellow teeth will most likely bleach well. Crowns, veneers, fillings, and caps cannot be whitened. Additionally, it won’t work if your tooth discoloration results from a dental injury or medication.
What Options Do I Have for Whitening?
Before you begin, consult your dentist. There are four methods to restore the luster to your smile if you are a candidate:
Toothpastes to Remove Stains
By using gentle abrasives to scrub the teeth, all toothpastes aid in the removal of surface stains. For stain removal, look for whitening toothpastes that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance; the package will indicate this. These toothpastes contain extra polishing ingredients that are safe for your teeth and effectively remove stains. These ADA-approved products can only remove surface stains, so unlike bleaches, they don’t alter the color of teeth.
Bleaching in the Office
Chairside bleaching is a procedure that typically only requires one office visit. To protect your gums, the dentist will either apply a rubber shield or a protective gel. The teeth are then treated with bleach.
Bleaching at Home with Your Dentist
You can get a specially designed tray for at-home teeth whitening from your dentist. The dentist in this situation will instruct you on how to use the bleaching solution in the tray and how long to leave it there. If you feel more at ease doing teeth whitening at home at a slower pace while still receiving dental advice, this might be your best bet. Bleaching outside of the office may take a few days to a few weeks.
Products for Bleaching Over-the-Counter
Different options, like toothpastes or teeth-whitening strips, may be available online or at your neighborhood grocery store. These products have a lower bleaching agent concentration than what your dentist would use in the office. Consult your dentist about your options if you’re considering using an over-the-counter bleaching kit, and look for one that has earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This indicates that it has undergone testing to be both safe and effective at whitening teeth. Obtain a list of every bleaching product that is ADA-approved for use at home.
Does Whitening Your Teeth Cause Any Side Effects?
Tooth sensitivity may be experienced by some users of teeth-whitening products. This occurs when the whitener’s peroxide irritates your tooth’s nerve by penetrating the enamel to the soft layer of dentin. The sensitivity is usually transient. Treatment can be postponed and then resumed.
Make sure to follow instructions and consult your dentist before using whitening products excessively as this can harm gums or tooth enamel.
Is teeth whitening beneficial?
Teeth whitening products with 10% carbamide peroxide have been used clinically for more than ten years without causing any harm to existing fillings. Do whiteners harm the nerves in teeth? There is no proof that the teeth-whitening procedure negatively impacts the nerves in a tooth.