Why do you need teeth whitening?

Teeth bleaching or teeth whitening has a purely esthetic purpose. It is important to note that bright white teeth is not a substitute for teeth. Routine exams with your dentist is the only way to determine oral health. Nonetheless, if you’re looking to brighten your healthy smile, teeth whitening procedure is a great option! It is a completely safe procedure when performed by a dental healthcare professional.^4-5
Some certain foods and beverages cause staining of teeth over time. The primary culprits are tea, coffee, red wine, food colorings, colas, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and dark-colored fruits.^6-7 Tobacco in any form cause rapid staining of teeth and should be avoided. However, if you don’t want to compromise with your lifestyle, you should opt for teeth whitening at regular intervals.
Moreover, for people who have already tried out over-the-counter whitening strips and gels⁸ but have failed to notice any apparent changes in the color of their teeth, professional teeth whitening is the solution.⁹
If you have a crown or a restoration planned, it is advised to get your teeth whitening completed first. This is because restorations and dental crowns cannot be bleached. So once your teeth become whiter, they can be ideally matched with your tooth color.

What does the procedure involve?

Dr. Miles provides professional teeth whitening in the comfort of your home. A quick look at your teeth will help assess the depth of discoloration. Thereafter, it is best to start with clean teeth. Bleaching agents used are carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which are applied to the surface of the teeth and activated by light. The results are instantly apparent, and the process can be repeated to give you the perfect shade of white. In-office bleaching gives more durable, more intense, and swifter results than an at-home bleaching.¹⁰ At home whitening, can supplement your results for maintenance to keep your smile looking like you just step out of the office.

The cons of teeth whitening

Although there are no major concerns that should worry you, there are certain things that should be kept in mind before opting for teeth whitening. Not all stains give the same results by the procedure. Intrinsic stains such as birth defects of the teeth for example those caused by intake of tetracycline by a pregnant female resulting in stained teeth of the progeny since birth, take more sessions and to be bleached by teeth whitening procedures.¹¹ However, there are other dental procedures such as veneers, laminates and crowns that can still hide the defects.

Secondly, there will be a certain amount of sensitivity associated with bleaching procedure^12-14 which is completely normal and generally subsides on its own. Get in touch with your dentist if you are experiencing extreme discomfort.

Some frequently asked questions about teeth whitening

1. How effective is the procedure?

Professional teeth whitening can make your teeth up to eight shades whiter, but it will also depend on the original condition of your teeth.

Does the procedure harm your teeth?

No. Professional teeth whitening has no long-term or short-term side effects when completed by trained dental professionals.

3. Is the process painful?

Professional teeth whitening is a painless procedure. However, there is some sensitivity associated with it which subsides by itself.

4. How can you care for your whitened teeth?

Avoid excessive intake of foods and beverages that cause staining such as dark-colored fruits, food colorings, tea, coffee, wine, and tobacco. Brush twice daily and floss daily to maintain healthy teeth. You also may consider purchasing our Professional Take Home Whitening System if you frequently drink or eat foods that cause staining.

5. How long do the results last?

It will depend on how well you care for your teeth after the procedure is done. On average, if you maintain your oral hygiene, the effects can last anywhere between 6 months to a year.

Make sure to book an appointment with us on our website. If you have any questions, please email drmiles@yourbrightersmile.com

References

1. Eachempati P, Kumbargere Nagraj S, Kiran Kumar Krishanappa S, Gupta P, Yaylali IE. Home-based chemically-induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;12(12):Cd006202.
2. American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening survey, summer 2012. Accessed September 20 2020.
3. Kothari S, Jum’ah AA, Gray AR, et al. A randomized clinical trial investigating three vital tooth bleaching protocols and associated efficacy, effectiveness and participants’ satisfaction. J Dent 2020;95:103322.
4. Majeed A, Farooq I, Grobler SR, Rossouw RJ. Tooth-bleaching: A review of the efficacy and adverse effects of various tooth whitening products. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2015;25(12):891-6.
5. Carey CM. Tooth whitening: What we now know. J Evid Based Dent Pract 2014;14 Suppl:70-6.
6. Côrtes G, Pini NP, Lima DA, et al. Influence of coffee and red wine on tooth color during and after bleaching. Acta Odontol Scand 2013;71(6):1475-80.
7. Chen Y-h, Yang S, Hong D-w, Attin T, Yu H. Short-term effects of stain-causing beverages on tooth bleaching: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Dentistry 2020;95:103318.
8. Naidu AS, Bennani V, Brunton J, Brunton P. Over-the-counter tooth whitening agents: A review of literature. Braz Dent J 2020;31(3):221-35.
9. Serraglio CR, Zanella L, Dalla-Vecchia KB, Rodrigues-Junior SA. Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter whitening strips as compared to home-whitening with 10 % carbamide peroxide gel–systematic review of RCTs and metanalysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2016 Jan;20(1):1-14. doi: 10.1007/s00784-015-1547-8. Epub 2015 Aug 7. PMID: 26245272.
10. Kothari S, Jum’ah AA, Gray AR, et al. A randomized clinical trial investigating three vital tooth bleaching protocols and associated efficacy, effectiveness and participants’ satisfaction. J Dent 2020;95:103322.
11. Tsubura S. Clinical evaluation of three months’ nightguard vital bleaching on tetracycline-stained teeth using Polanight 10% carbamide gel: 2-year follow-up study. Odontology. 2010 Jul;98(2):134-8. doi: 10.1007/s10266-010-0130-7. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20652791.
12. Kielbassa AM, Maier M, Gieren AK, Eliav E. Tooth sensitivity during and after vital tooth bleaching: A systematic review on an unsolved problem. Quintessence Int 2015;46(10):881-97.
13. Rodríguez-Martínez J, Valiente M, Sánchez-Martín MJ. Tooth whitening: From the established treatments to novel approaches to prevent side effects. J Esthet Restor Dent 2019;31(5):431-40.
14. Li Y, Greenwall L. Safety issues of tooth whitening using peroxide-based materials. Br Dent J 2013;215(1):29-34.