Teeth whitening treatments

Who doesn't love a bright, white smile? Thanks to a variety of easily available teeth whitening treatments, it is now possible for you to enhance the appearance of your teeth.

Many people are satisfied with the results they can obtain from brushing with a fluoride-based toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing between their teeth once a day and regular cleanings at their dentists. However, should you decide to take additional steps to make your smile to appear whiter and brighter, these are many other options available, including whitening toothpastes and bleaching (professional dentist services or at-home teeth whitening kits).

Begin by consulting your dentist concerning which whitening procedures would be most suitable for your needs and requirements as not all whiteners may be able to correct every type of discoloration.

For example, yellowish teeth tend to respond well to bleaching, but brownish-colored teeth tend to bleach less well. Grayish-hued teeth are the most resistant to bleaching and may not bleach well at all.

Bleaching may also not work if there is bonding or tooth-colored fillings located in your front teeth as the bleaching agent will have little impact on the color of these materials. This causes a colour contrast and makes them stand out in comparison with your now whitened smile. For these situations, it's better to consider other options such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when deciding on a whitener or any dental product. The seal assures buyers that the product has met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness. All toothpastes contain mild abrasives which help to remove surface stains. However, whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have certain chemical or polishing agents which make them more effective at removing stains. These ADA-approved products do not change the teeth's intrinsic colour, unlike bleaching products.

When selecting professional teeth whitening treatments, you should know that the procedure may require more than one visit to your dentist, with each visit lasting between half an hour to one hour. First, your dentist will apply either a rubber shield or a protective gel to your gums to protect the soft mouth tissues. He or she will then apply a bleaching agent to your teeth. To enhance the action of the whitening agent, a special light such as lasers, may be used.

If you decide to whiten your teeth yourself with a home teeth-whitening system, you can  choose from a wide range of products, available either over-the-counter or through your dentist.

The whitening solutions in these products usually contain peroxide(s) as their active ingredient or bleaching agent (usually carbamide peroxide) which work by bleaching the tooth enamel. The main difference between each product will be the different concentrations of bleaching agent used in each product.

These whiteners typically come in a gel form and are to be used with a mouthguard which will hold the gel to your teeth. If you purchased the bleaching solution through your dentist, he or she can customise a  mouthguard to fits your teeth exactly. Directions for use will vary. Some whiteners are recommended to be used twice daily for a fortnight, while others are meant for overnight use over a period of one to two weeks. It should be noted that presently, only dentist-dispensed 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels meant for home-use have the ADA Seal.

Before undergoing any type of teeth whitening treatments, whether at home or at your dentist's office, you should have a discussion with your dentist about possible side effects. For example, when using bleaching solutions, teeth are known to become sensitive. Often, this sensitivity is only temporary and your teeth should return to normal once treatment is completed. However, this may not be the case for certain individuals. In other situations, some people also experience soft tissue irritation which can be caused either from the bleaching solution when it comes into contact with the said tissues or from an ill-fitting mouthguard.

In any case, you should always consult your dentist where you had your teeth whitening treatments done if the side effects become bothersome and cause discomfort.

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