Beginner guide to tooth whitening

Tooth whitening is a big player in the world of cosmetic dentistry. There are bleaching treatments available for all kinds of budgets and all kinds of results. You can buy bleaching kits at the drugstore or get a one hour session at the dentist. However, only about fifteen percent of people have ever tried tooth whitening, and there's a lot of misinformation out there. Plus, there are plenty of scam products on the market. Here's a look at tooth whitening and what you can expect out of the different products.

Does It Work?

The answer is yes - almost anyone who has a cosmetic whitening treatment will see at least a little improvement in the whiteness and brilliance of their smile. Just be aware that there's no such thing as a permanent whitening solution. Regular touch up treatments are required if you want it to last. If you smoke, drink a lot of coffee, or have other habits that stain your teeth, your whitening treatments might not last very long at all.

Some people refer to the process as tooth bleaching, but the term "bleaching" isn't legally used unless the teeth are being whitened even more than their natural color allows. The bleaching agent in this kind of treatment is usually carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Whitening refers to restoring the color of the tooth by removing dirt, and it sounds more natural than bleaching, so the term is usually used to cover both bleach and non-bleach products.

Most people start with fairly white teeth, but tooth enamel does become less white over the years. It thins, becomes more transparent, and allows the dentin inside the tooth to show through. It also can crack attracting debris and stains. That's why teeth become a lot less white and less attractive. It's also why we associate stained teeth with age - young people rarely have stained and yellowed teeth. Whitening procedures remove the debris and stains, though they may leave the cracks open to attract more debris.

Tooth Stains

Staining comes in two basic categories when it comes to teeth. The first kind are made by drinking dark beverages, eating staining foods, using tobacco, and just plain wear and tear. At their most minor, these stains can be removed by a trip to the dentist plus regular brushing. More stubborn stains may require a bleaching agent. Sometimes, these stains penetrate the enamel and become permanent.

There are also interior stains - these come from trauma, exposure to certain drugs and minerals, too much fluoride, and age. We used to think that you couldn't bleach this kind of stain, but there are now some methods that can deal with them. These are mostly take home whitening kits, obtained from your dentist, that you use for several months to a year. Over time, they may remove the stains from your teeth - even the ingrained ones.

Tooth staining is caused by wear and tear and based on the starting color of your teeth. Most people's teeth aren't bright white - even as babies. Tooth enamel color can range from light yellow to greenish gray, and over time, it gets stronger. People with yellowish teeth are more likely to have luck bleaching them than people with grayish teeth. You may also have more or less transparent enamel. This can't be corrected by whitening, since the color showing through is actually on the inside of your tooth. However, nearly every other tooth staining problem can be fixed by whitening techniques.

Whitening Options

There are three major tooth whitening procedures used today. All of them use a form of peroxide to lighten the color of the teeth. In-office whitening allows for a big color change in a short time, but has to be done by a trained professional. The gums must be protected with a rubber dam and the peroxide gel is relatively strong. The peroxide is left on the teeth for several fifteen-to-twenty minute periods. You may need to have more than one session to get your teeth as white as you like, but the results are usually impressive. In-office whitening is the most expensive.

You can also get home kits from your dentist. These may produce better results in the long term than an office visit and include a lower concentration peroxide gel that you leave on your teeth for anywhere from an hour to overnight. The lower the peroxide content, the longer it's safe to leave the gel on the teeth. The gel goes on using a special bleaching tray. These kits are in the mid-range when it comes to price.

Over-the-counter treatments are also available. These treatments uses the lowest peroxide concentration and a one-size-fits-all bleaching tray. Paint on application and strip style whitening treatments are also available. In many cases, this kind of treatment doesn't whiten all the teeth, and the results are less pronounced. However, over-the-counter whitening treatments are the least expensive of the available options.

Remember that it's a bad idea to go too white - it can look unnatural - and that there's a limit to how bright your smile can get. Your basic tooth color affects the results you can expect from a whitening treatment. If you're not sure what to expect, talk to your dentist about the available options. He or she can help you look at your current tooth color and compare to lighter shades. Most people can go at least two to six shades lighter, with some people getting results as strong as nine shades lighter. It all depends on the level of staining and the makeup of your teeth. Is tooth whitening for you? Why not ask your dentist?