What Works and What Doesn't in Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is slowly becoming one of the most popular cosmetic procedures opted by people all over the world. However, people should understand that it has its own limitations and drawbacks and is not for everyone. There are some people for whom teeth whitening is not advisable like pregnant women, women who are nursing children and people who are suffering from gum diseases. It is also not suitable for people who have cracked teeth or cavities in the area that they want to be whitened. One should also keep in mind that teeth whitening is only for natural teeth. Teeth whitening cannot be done on veneers, crowns, bondings and tooth-fillings.

How white your teeth appear after bleaching is subject to the existing tone of your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, people who have yellowish teeth have a better chance of getting their teeth bleached well compared to people with brownish teeth. For people with grayish teeth, there’s some bad news. Their teeth are the least responsive when it comes to bleaching. However, there are exceptions to this observation. Some people with grayish teeth have had their teeth bleached beautifully.

If your teeth are discolored or stained due to the consumption of tea, coffee, wine or cola, then bleaching should work for you. A simple maintenance routine will help you retain those results for a long time. You can use the home-bleaching kits as per the instructions and keep your teeth shining white. A better way to drink colas is by making use of a straw. In case of intrinsic staining, caused by either genes or antibiotics, things are not so easy. Dentists say that they can lighten such stains to a considerable extent, but not as much as many patients would like.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes are the most popular teeth whitening products available over the counter. The truth about whitening toothpastes is that they are as effective as they cost. Simply speaking, you get what you pay for.

What’s available in the market?
There are many brands that have come out with lots of whitening toothpastes. Major brands are selling products like Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste, Mentadent Advanced Whitening Formula and Colgate Total Plus Whitening Toothpaste. The companies do not make tall claims. Contrary to what other teeth whitening products claim, toothpaste companies are modest.

How do they work?
Almost all the whitening toothpastes work on the same principle. They use hydrogen peroxide in very small quantities to gently remove the stains developed due to consumption of things like tea, coffee, wine, etc. Aquafresh states that its product helps in weakening and removing the stains that build up on the teeth over a period of time. It is gentle enough to be used everyday and doesn’t contain harsh bleaches, abrasives and peroxides.


Results
Many dentists believe that teeth whitening toothpastes are a complete waste of time and money. The general opinion is that they are as effective as any ordinary toothpaste in teeth whitening. All the good toothpastes clean the surface of the teeth and it is more than enough for keeping teeth stain free. Dentists believe that whitening toothpastes can help improve the color of your teeth to a very small extent. The change is very minute and in many cases not very noticeable. However, in some cases, people have experienced considerable improvement in their teeth color. Their teeth are so responsive that anything would work on them.

The whitening results obtained from teeth whitening toothpastes are almost negligible. The label of Mentadent states that it has a safe level of hydrogen peroxide along with fluoride and other cleansers. The level is good only for foaming and not whitening.

Take-Home Trays:

What are they?
Take-Home tray are tooth whitening kits that can be used at home under the supervision of a dentist. Tray whitenig very effective and is considered the "gold standard".

How do these trays work?
Dentists make a mold of your teeth by using the kit. They then creates trays that are flexible and fit exactly on your without moving much. When undergoing whitening, the trays are filled with bleaching gel and placed against the teeth enamel. The gel is made of carbamide peroxide in various concentrations. The amount of usage depends on the different products. Some people use the trays for 30 to 90 minutes over two weeks, while others use it overnight for 1 to 2 weeks. During this period, dentists check for any sensitivity to the gel.

The results obtained from such kits usually last for years. If the teeth start staining again, simple re-touch bleach will do the trick.

Bottom Line: Although take-home trays are very time consuming, they give good results in the long term. Home-kits are more effective than any other home whitening treatments and are cheaper than the in-office treatments.

In-Office Bleaching

This is the quickest, easiest and least painful method. But it is also the most costly way of whitening your teeth.

What is In-Office Bleaching all about?
In-office bleaching (also known as chair-side bleaching or power bleaching) is a teeth whitening procedure in which dentists use up to 50% hydrogen peroxide solution to turn almost anything, including tetracycline stained teeth, shining white. The dentists take the help of a laser, light emitting diode or any other source of light to activate the hydrogen peroxide gel and speed up the whitening process.

Advantages: There are various advantages to in-office treatment as opposed to other forms of teeth whitening. The best thing is that even difficult stains like that of tetracycline can be removed in one or two visits at the most.

One of the most popular brands that is even used by many dentists is BriteSmile. BriteSmile is known to have given many patients whiter teeth by up to nine shades difference. Dentists use a cover or protective tray to protect the gums and soft mouth tissues from the bleaching gel. The gel is activated by using lasers, light emitting diodes or other sources of light. The light is used on the gel for about 60 minutes consisting of three applications of 20 minutes each. The light activates the bleaching gel and makes it more effective.

The method is very effective, but many local dentists haves stopped using it as they believe that it might harm the patients. The prolonged exposure of the teeth and mouth area to lasers can be harmful. Dentists also prefer the safety and effectiveness of the trays and hence advise them.

Results: The initial shade of your teeth recedes slightly during the first few days. Doctors advise to avoid colored food as the treatment makes the outermost layer of the teeth very sensitive and the colors can easily undo the bleaching effect during this period. The results of in-office whitening can last up to several years. Usually it lasts for about 3-4 years. People have reported the loss of one shade in about 6 months. However, maintaining the color is easy by using recommended toothpastes and mouthwashes.

In-Office treatments are painless but can cause some increased sensitivity to the gum line. The patients might have to wash down Tylenol with warm water later on. The average cost of an in-office teeth whitening treatment is between $600 and $1000. High cost treatments also include the price of aftercare products like toothpaste and mouthwash.

Bottom Line: If you want good results in a very short time and are willing to pay for it, then in-office whitening treatments are for you. All you have to do is select the right dentist.

- TeethWhiteningReviews.com