Teeth Whitening FAQ's
What is teeth whitening?
Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. A child's deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. Certain antibiotic medications (like tetracycline) can also lead to teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel.
There are many methods to whiten teeth: bleaching strips, bleaching pen, bleaching gel, laser bleaching, and natural bleaching. Traditionally, at-home whitening is done with bleaching gel which is applied to the teeth using thin guard trays. At-home whitening can also be done by applying small strips that go over the front teeth.
Why would I need my teeth whitening?
There are many reasons for discolored teeth. Aging and the on-going ingestion of coffee, tea, cola, red wine, tobacco products, curries, etc can lead to the staining of the teeth. The ingestion of tetracycline and excessive fluoride frequently causes such severe staining that extended treatment lengths and perhaps more aggressive means may be required. Traumatized and non-vital teeth that are discolored can also be whitened, but usually require a more invasive procedure performed by a dentist.
What does teeth whitening involve?
During the teeth whitening process, the active ingredient in the gel, hydrogen peroxide, is broken down to water and oxygen, oxygen enters the tooth enamel. This bleaches embedded discolored substances (stains). The structure of the tooth is not changed; only the tooth enamel stain is changed and becomes a lighter and whiter shade.
How long does teeth whitening take?
Whitening results often become apparent during the first treatment. Typically, the whitening effect becomes even more evident after a second treatment. Teeth will continue to whiten, to a degree, with each successive treatment.
