Teeth Whitening Overview

Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching are popular forms of cosmetic dentistry among men and women, young and old. It completely changes the color of your teeth bringing them whiter and brighter. Teeth whitening treatments are available to suit each person’s desired result, their budget and time frame.

Whitening or bleaching is the perfect solution for people with stained or discolored teeth who want a shiny white smile.

Teeth whitening is a treatment works and allows you to achieve almost any shade of white. The spectrum ranges from mild to dramatic depending on the type of treatment chosen. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and care needs to be taken to maintain the results. You may even need a touch up after 1-2 years.

Both the terms teeth bleaching and teeth whitening are used to describe this technique. It is called bleaching when the products contain bleach and when the teeth are whitened more than their natural color. Teeth whitening, however, refers to any treatment that restores a tooth’s natural color.

You are born with natural teeth color but this changes over time. Some of the causes of teeth discoloration or teeth staining are obvious while others are not so common. Some factors only mildly affect your teeth color while others can stain them quite significantly.

Most people who are unhappy with the color of their teeth make good candidates for teeth whitening. Some people who have particular mouth or teeth issues may need to discuss which type of treatment is best for them with their dentist while others may be advised to avoid teeth whitening altogether.

As there are so many different teeth whitening treatments available these days, the cost of each procedure varies significantly. The cost can also reflect what the degree of results you will obtain. Home whitening kits are generally cheaper than in-office whitening and the cost of teeth whitening abroad is generally cheaper than in Western Countries.

Professional teeth whitening includes a number of different procedures: chemical whitening, abrasive whitening and laser whitening. There are many variations of these procedures and, of course, combinations of them but most treatments fall into the three categories.

Some individuals don’t have time to make a dental appointment and then spend an hour or two getting their teeth whitened. That is why they choose at-home teeth whitening kits that they can use at their leisure. These may not always be as effective as professional treatments but they are usually much cheaper.

Compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, teeth whitening does not have as many risks and side effects. There are a number of potential complications that patients should be aware of so make sure you discuss these with your dentist first.

A Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening

The color of your teeth can have a huge impact on your appearance. If your teeth are stained or discolored you might feel embarrassed to smile or just not very confident talking to people. If this is the case, you are probably a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Having shiny white teeth is very popular and increasing numbers of people are seeking out teeth whitening treatments. Most people are good candidates but it is always best to speak to your dentist before undergoing any procedure so you can make an informed decision.

There are a number of teeth whitening risks and side effects that you should be aware of but the dentist will explain these to you. These generally increase the more dramatic your teeth whitening procedure is. Fortunately the risks and side effects are not as severe as for some other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

People Who Are Good Candidates For Teeth Whitening:

· Patients with healthy teeth and gums

· People whose teeth have not been restored, that is, do not have fillings

· Someone whose teeth has been affected by the various causes of teeth discoloration

· Patients with yellow rather than gray teeth respond to whitening better

· People who have realistic expectations of their treatment and who are willing to make the effort to maintain their results.

People Who Are Not Good Candidates For Teeth Whitening:

· Patients with receding gums

· People with very sensitive teeth in general

· Someone whose teeth are sensitive to the main component in the whitening solution

· Pregnant or lactating women

· Children under the age of 16 – teeth whitening could irritate the enlarged nerves of their teeth or cause them to become overly sensitive.

· Patients with gum disease or worn enamel

· People with cavities – cavities have to be treated beforehand because the whitening solution might pass through the decay and into the sensitive inner tooth areas

· Someone with exposed roots – there is no enamel layer for the whitening to act on

· Patients with fillings, crowns or other restorations – these dental restorations will not respond to teeth whitening so the final result will be uneven. If possible, try and get any dental restorations you require two weeks after your whitening treatment

Risks and Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an excellent way to treat stained or discolored teeth. It is also a fairly safe procedure which means that most people are good candidates for teeth whitening. There are, however, a number of issues which will need to be discussed with your dentist beforehand so that you know what to expect and what to do should any teeth whitening risks and side effects occur.

The following is a list of potential teeth whitening risks and side effects:

Over bleaching: If you or the dentist bleaches your teeth too much, you will have very white teeth. The aim is to go for a shade lighter than the whites of your eyes.

Fading: Teeth whitening methods are not permanent. Some last longer than others but day to day wear and tear as well, the consumption of certain drinks and foods and other causes of teeth discoloration will lead to stained teeth again.

Uneven bleaching: This teeth whitening risk and side effect is more common in patients who have dental restorations. In addition, some stains will not respond to whitening.

Reduced tooth enamel: Continuous use of at-home teeth whitening kits can wear away at your teeth enamel. It is generally recommended that in-office teeth whitening is only carried out every 1-2 years so as not to damage your teeth further.

Teeth sensitivity: This is usually only a short term teeth whitening risk and side effect that varies in severity.

Irritated gums: As with teeth sensitivity, this is also a short term teeth whitening risk and side effect that varies in severity. Talk to your dentist if you have particularly sensitive gums.

Causes of Teeth Discoloration

There are a number of causes of teeth discoloration. Some of these have been obvious for years while others are not so commonly accepted. Teeth whitening can really help to give you a dazzling smile if you have stained or discolored teeth. Talk to your dentist today to find out if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Age: As you get older, your teeth begin to show signs of wear and tear. The older you are, the more stained your teeth probably are. Younger patients will respond better to teeth whitening treatments because their teeth are not as discolored yet.

Teenagers and people in their twenties could benefit from at-home teeth whitening treatments. Older patient’s teeth will require much more effort and thus require in-office teeth whitening treatments. This is because their teeth have absorbed many stains over the years.

Starting Color: The starting tooth color ranges from yellow-brown to green-gray and this becomes more obvious as times goes by. Dentists have found that yellow-brown based teeth generally respond to whitening better.

Translucency and Thinness People with are born with opaque and thick teeth will respond better to teeth whitening than people who are born with translucent and thin teeth.

Drinking Habits: Red wine, tea, coffee, coca cola and other dark or deep colored drinks will stain your teeth over time – especially if consumed in significant quantities. The acid in beer can contribute also.

Eating Habits: Particular colored foods will discolor your teeth over time. These include carrots and cherries. Vinegar and other acidic foods will also erode your teeth enamel.

Smoking: The nicotine in cigarettes is a classic cause for teeth discoloration.

Drugs and Chemicals: Another cause of teeth discoloration is the consumption of particular drugs and chemicals. Tetracycline (an antibiotic) will stain the teeth dark gray or brown while fluoride can cause white mottling. Minocycline and some antihistamines can also stain your teeth.

Grinding and Trauma: Grinding and trauma are less common causes of teeth discoloration. They result in cracks in the teeth which can then become stained.

Poor Dental Hygiene: If you don’t look after your teeth by maintain good dental hygiene, substances that produce stains won’t be removed from your teeth. Be sure to floss and brush your teeth regularly so that bacteria won’t cause teeth discoloration.

Costs of Teeth Whitening

The cost of teeth whitening can vary significantly depending on what type of treatment you undergo. Generally, the more dramatic results you require, the more expensive the treatment.

At-home teeth whitening treatments are the least expensive. Over the counter whitening strips can be anywhere between $15 to $100 while more professional kits (including tray bleaching kits) can be $100 to $800. Your dentist may provide you with a take home kit so that you can maintain your white teeth and this will probably be around the same price range.

In-Office teeth whitening treatments are much more expensive. Chemical and abrasive whitening treatments range from $300 to $1,000 while laser whitening is around $1,000. The results of these procedures are much more dramatic than what you would obtain at home with over the counter products and that is why they cost more.

Teeth whitening is very rarely covered by insurance so most people have to pay for it themselves. If they want to correct stained and discolored teeth, they will obviously have to pay a significant amount. This can often be hard to justify for an elective cosmetic dentistry procedure.

As a result, increasing numbers patients are traveling overseas for dental tourism. The cost of teeth whitening abroad is much more affordable than it is in places like the United States or United Kingdom. You can get your teeth whitened in places such as Mexico or Cyprus for a fraction of the cost.

The cost of teeth whitening abroad (in-office or laser whitening) will only set you back $200-$600 depending on where you go.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

The cost of teeth whitening can be very expensive, especially if done professionally. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars and only require a small amount of treatment, at-home teeth whitening may be just the thing for you.

At-home teeth whitening can be carried out in your own time and in the privacy of your home. You don’t have to worry about making an appointment to see the dentist and then setting aside a few hours for an in-office teeth whitening treatment.

The results of an at-home teeth whitening treatment can sometimes be seen within a few days but usually take a few weeks. If you feel comfortable with a gradual approach then this may be a good option for you.

Most whitening kits can be over the counter or from your dentist. It is recommended that you speak to your dentist about any concerns you may have or just to learn about the teeth whitening risks and side effects. If you need quite a bit of work, your dentist may discuss alternative teeth whitening treatments with you.

The two main types of at-home teeth whitening methods are custom fit tray bleaching and teeth whitening strips:

Custom Fit Tray Bleaching: With this at-home teeth whitening method, your dentist provides you with all the materials you need. Firstly, he takes a mold of your teeth and then creates a custom fit tray. Unlike the one size fits all trays in kits that you can buy from the pharmacy or supermarket, this tray will fit you perfectly. Your dentist will also give you the whitening solution and also tell you how to use it.

Basically, you apply the solution to the tray and then wear the tray for 2-3 hours once a day. You should do this for 2-3 weeks even though you will probably start seeing results earlier. Once the treatment is finished, book an appointment with your dentist for a follow up exam.

Whitening Strips: Whitening strips are a very convenient at-home teeth whitening method. They are flexible pieces of plastic that have hydrogen peroxide in them. This chemical is the active ingredient in teeth whitening.

All you have to do is press a strip over your top and/or bottom teeth and wait 15 minutes to 2 hours (depending on the strength of the strips and how stained your teeth are). Some strips dissolve in your mouth while others you have to remove.

A disadvantage of whitening strips is that they don’t whiten behind or inside your teeth like a custom fit tray does. They also don’t give you as long lasting results as other methods do. An advantage is that they are very affordable and easy to use.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening methods can give you dramatic results in just an hour or so. It is the perfect teeth whitening treatment for someone who wants shiny white teeth instantly. Chemical, abrasive (acid whitening) or laser whitening can combat stubborn stains much more effectively than at-home teeth whitening treatments because they are more powerful.

There are plenty of different brands to choose from so talk to your dentist about which is the best option for you.

Before undergoing an in-office teeth whitening treatment, make sure you understand and accept all the teeth whitening risks and side effects. Although the procedure is fairly safe, it is still important to know what issues could potentially occur.

Chemical Teeth Whitening: During this in-office teeth whitening procedure, the dentist will apply concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth a few times for 15-20 minutes each time. A rubber material will protect your gums from the gel because the gel has a very high concentration of peroxide in it. The entire treatment will take about an hour and you will be able to see results straight away.

Laser Teeth Whitening: Laser teeth whitening is the most recently developed and most effective way to combat the causes of teeth discoloration. Firstly, the dentist cleans your teeth so there is no plaque or debris to slow down treatment. Next, he uses rubber or plastic guards to protect your lips and gums before applying a hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth.

Your teeth are then exposed to a light source that activates the gel for 6-15 minutes. This is the most effective teeth whitening treatment.

Abrasive (Acid) Teeth Whitening: This in-office teeth whitening procedure involves the use of mild acid on the teeth and then small amounts of an abrasive paste to make the acid more effective. There are plenty of variations of this treatment so if you are interested, talk to your dentist to see if it is something that could be suitable for you.