Teeth Whitening

The quest for a dazzling smile has been gaining momentum over the last five years. In fact, the number of teeth whitening procedures has increased by 300 percent. So if you're considering tooth whitening, you're in luck; there's never been a larger variety of teeth whitening products available!

But remember, selecting from the many teeth whiteners available requires some assistance -- the first and most crucial step is to see your dentist for expert advice. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of your lackluster smile before setting upon the appropriate course of action.

There are two different categories of tooth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are classified as outside agents located on the outer surface of the tooth. Intrinsic stains occur when pigmented materials are incorporated into dental tissue.

Extrinsic stains are more commonly known by the dental layperson. Certain foods, liquids and substances contain chromogenic agents that are known to stain teeth; the most common are tea, coffee, red wine, soda and tobacco. If you're unsure whether a product can stain your teeth, follow this rule of thumb: If it stains your t-shirt, it'll stain your teeth!


Types of Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening After
Once the cause of your tooth stain is confirmed, your dentist or cosmetic dentist can prescribe the appropriate tooth whitening product. There are two types of teeth whitening techniques: vital and non-vital. Vital bleaching means the tooth discoloration is confined exclusively to the enamel. Vital teeth bleaching can cause tooth hypersensitivity and gum irritation. Both reactions are purely temporary.

Non-vital teeth whiteners are used for discolored teeth that have been treated with a root canal. This dental treatment is known as "walking bleach" because the hydrogen peroxide formulation remains inside the tooth between appointments and whitens the tooth from the inside out.


Teeth Whitening Products
Tooth whitening is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. There are so many teeth whitening products available that it helps to talk to a dentist to find out which would best fit your needs. A dentist can also examine your teeth to make sure they are healthy enough to undergo the whitening process.

Teeth whitening dental products can be divided into a few categories to help you better understand the options:

Tray Whitening:
Dentist prescribed and custom-fit
Home trays
10% carbamide peroxide
3% hydrogen peroxide
 

In-Office Whitening:
Dentist supervised
Also known as "power bleaching"
25-30% hydrogen peroxide
 

Over-the-Counter:
No prescription needed
6% hydrogen peroxide
Keep in mind that, as with any product on the market, all directions must be followed. Abusing teeth whiteners can do serious damage to teeth. Misuse, or over-use, can wear down the enamel of teeth and weaken them. Another danger of misusing teeth whiteners is a blue glow that results when teeth have been over-treated.