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What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, is the process of lightening the shade or colour of your teeth.
It is a common and simple procedure to improve the appearance of darker or discoloured teeth, and is considered a very conservative and non-invasive method to brighten up a smile.
What Causes Teeth Discolouration?
There are many causes for discoloured teeth. Here are some of the most common reasons for discolouration and staining:
- Foods and drinks such as curries, coffee, tea and red wine contain dark pigments that can stain the outer enamel.
- Smoking cigarettes exposes the teeth to chemicals like nicotine and tar which can cause significant staining and darken the teeth.
- Age can also cause gradual discolouration of the teeth. Teeth can be divided into 3 layers: enamel (white outer layer), dentine (inner yellow layer) and pulp (nerve and blood supply). With age, the enamel tends to thin which allows the more yellow dentine to become more visible.
- Trauma can cause the affected teeth to temporarily discolour or permanently darken over time.
- Previous root canal treatment can also cause the treated tooth to darken over time.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The two most common bleaching ingredients used in teeth whitening at the dentist is hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. It works by chemically breaking down and removing staining from the outer enamel.
A tooth can also be internally bleached following a root canal treatment to lighten the tooth from the inside.
There are a few differents ways to whiten teeth:
- Take-home whitening - This is a very common method of whitening that can be done at home. The dentist makes custom clear trays to fit your top and bottom teeth and shows you how to use a bleaching kit. The teeth will bleach gradually, usually over a few weeks, but many people enjoy the freedom of bleaching at their own leisure and time.
- Whitening in-chair - Whitening can also be done in-chair at the dentist. The dentist uses concentrated bleaching gel and may also use a blue light to accelerate the chemical reaction for a faster bleach, leaving your teeth brighter after the appointment.
- Whitening toothpastes - There are many whitening toothpastes available from the supermarket or pharmacy. Most of them contain abrasives to help brush off staining, or may contain low concentrations of bleaching ingredients to lighten teeth.
Are There Any Risks with Teeth Whitening?
The main side effect of teeth whitening is sensitivity. If whitening is used incorrectly or for too long, teeth may become very sensitive to cold or hot changes in temperature, even cold air. The dentist can provide advice for managing and reducing sensitivity during teeth whitening.
Another risk of whitening is damage to the surrounding gums and lips. Bleaching agents, especially at high concentrations, can burn the surrounding tissues if the bleaching gel is not wiped off for a long period of time.
Will My Fillings Whiten as Well?
Teeth whitening will only lighten the enamel on teeth and won’t bleach white fillings or porcelain crowns/veneers. Sometimes after bleaching teeth, it may make your fillings stand out as the shade will not match anymore. The dentist may recommend replacing older fillings to match the shade of whitened teeth afterwards.
Is Teeth Whitening a Good Option for Me?
It is important to see the dentist for a full check-up before teeth whitening so they can determine if whitening is the best option for you.
Ballarat Dental Group offers professional take-home whitening kits to help our patients achieve a beautiful brighter smile. Talk to us about teeth whitening when you come in for your check-up!
