What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a non-surgical procedure that restores and changes the color of the teeth to their natural color in addition to removing pigments resulting from various environmental factors. Teeth whitening is done in dentists’ clinics or a specialized center for cosmetic dentistry, and teeth are usually whitened in one session or several consecutive sessions depending on the different techniques and the condition of the teeth.
Causes of yellowing teeth
Before getting to know the methods of teeth whitening, it is necessary to know the reasons behind the yellowing of the teeth first.
Many factors play a big role in the pigmentation and yellowing of the teeth, perhaps the most important of which are eating certain foods, smoking, excessive caffeine and coffee drinks, and other factors that lead to the appearance of yellow spots on the layer of tooth enamel. And with frequent wrong use, the enamel layer also turns yellow.
This layer that causes yellowing of the teeth can be removed by brushing and toothpaste. The dentist removes it through chemical teeth whitening methods or tartar cleaning by chemical interactions with the pigmentation layer until it is completely removed from the tooth enamel.
Teeth whitening methods target the outer layer of the teeth, which is called tooth enamel, which varies in color from one person to another as a result of genetic factors in the first place, and there are several other factors that can affect the whiteness of the teeth, including:
- Increase the consumption of drinks that work on staining the teeth, such as tea and coffee
- Lack of proper dental care leads to the formation of tartar, plaque and other deposits
- Some diseases that affect the enamel layer
- cigarette smoking
- Tooth enamel thinning due to aging
- taking antibiotics
- Excessive use of fluoride toothpaste.
- genetic causes
- Eating unhealthy food
- Dry mouth and insufficient saliva
- Breathe through the mouth, not the nose.
Types of teeth whitening
Due to the importance of teeth whitening for many, white teeth have a significant impact on an attractive smile and increase self-confidence. There are many types of teeth whitening, some of which you can use at home, including what is done in the doctor’s office, and the following are the most important types of teeth whitening:
- Teeth whitening with Zoom technology.
- Laser teeth whitening.
- Teeth whitening using toothpaste.
- Teeth whitening at home.
- Teeth whitening pen.
- Home teeth whitening molds.
Teeth whitening gel
The appearance of the at-home teeth whitening gel has made a medical revolution in the field of teeth whitening techniques to its great results, which appear in record time.
- It relies on the use of carbamide peroxide in the form of a tooth whitening gel and is evenly distributed on the teeth to obtain a uniform color for each of them.
- Plastic molds are installed over the teeth to fix this material for a period of 15-20 minutes.
- The patient may need two or more sessions to get the final results. The dentist determines the number of sessions needed according to each person's condition.
Teeth whitening methods at the doctor
Dentist-supervised teeth whitening methods have advantages and disadvantages when compared to over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
Chemical Teeth Whitening
Chemical teeth whitening methods vary according to the materials used, either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. When used in the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down and turns into hydrogen peroxide and urea.
Most studies confirm that teeth whitening is safe and effective, and gels containing 10 percent carbamide peroxide (equivalent to 3.6 percent hydrogen peroxide) have not been shown to cause any damage to the enamel layer. High concentrations of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide cause enamel weakening.
- The teeth whitening begins with cleaning them, then filling the enclosed cavities, and ends with examining the gums and making sure that they are healthy.
- The dentist puts a protective barrier on the gums
- Use hydrogen peroxide gel at 15-35% for several minutes and then suction it, then apply it again several times
- Some rays may be shed to speed up the chemical reaction of the bleach.
- This method whitens the teeth 4-6 times when applied for 40 minutes compared to the color of the teeth before it is applied.
- Molds control the teeth so that the whitening is done with high efficiency.
- Laser teeth whitening
- It is also known as light teeth whitening, and laser teeth whitening is the latest and most popular, and best type of teeth whitening, due to its quick and immediate results.
Laser teeth whitening method
- Teeth whitening gel is distributed in a low concentration to the teeth.
- The laser shines on the teeth for a period ranging from 15 to 30 minutes
- The laser stimulates the bleaching material placed on the teeth and interacts with it
- The session takes about 15 to 30 minutes
- After the session is over, the person can go home and go about his normal life.
home teeth whitening
- Charcoal helps whiten teeth because it is a highly absorbent, porous substance that binds to the tannins that stain teeth, removing them. The way to use it is: Dip a wet brush in dried charcoal or dip the brush in a paste of charcoal and water. Rub the teeth with charcoal paste for several minutes. Gargling the mouth with water, then removing the remnants of charcoal from the mouth. Repeat the process every day for a week to get good results.
- Baking soda Baking soda contains natural bleaching properties, so it is a common ingredient in the manufacture of commercial toothpaste, as it is a mild abrasive that helps clean surface stains on the teeth, in addition to being an alkaline environment that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water. Dip the toothbrush in the baking soda paste, then scrub your teeth with it for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times a week.
- Baking soda and lemon juice A mixture of lemon juice and baking soda helps whiten teeth naturally, and the way to use it is: Mix three teaspoons of baking soda with enough lemon juice, until soft paste forms. Dip a toothbrush in the paste, and brush your teeth with it for several minutes. Leave the paste on the teeth for 30 seconds, then rinse it well with water. Wash your toothbrush well after use, in order to reduce the effect of lemon juice on its bristles, and prevent it from eroding.
- Organic turmeric powder Turmeric helps whiten teeth effectively, due to its effective natural properties, and the way to use it is: Wash your toothbrush with water and then dip it in turmeric powder. Rub the teeth with turmeric, and leave it on them for 3-5 minutes. Rinse the teeth with water the first time, then rinse them a second time using regular toothpaste, or mouthwash to get rid of its effects permanently.
Before and after teeth whitening
The results differ from one person to another depending on the health and degree of the color of the teeth. Healthy teeth free from decay and with a strong structure respond well to the whitening process and give quick and good results. As for weak teeth, their response may not be fast enough, but by repeating the sessions, the desired results can be reached.
The dentist will determine the degree of the color of the teeth you want before starting the whitening process.
Teeth whitening gives instant results up to 8 shades whiter than the original color.
The results of the laser teeth whitening technique appear faster than the chemical whitening technique, as it is possible in only two sessions to obtain the desired result, while chemical bleaching can need a greater number of sessions, knowing that the results of teeth whitening methods are not permanent, which means that it must Repeat the whitening procedure every once in a while to get permanently whiter teeth.
cosmetic dentistry
In addition to the products that can be used at home, there are several methods that are suitable as alternatives to teeth whitening, the most important and most famous of which are veneers and lumineers.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are a technique through which a bright white outer shell is installed on the teeth. Artists are famous for doing this procedure, and they even called the person who performs it that he has a Hollywood smile.
Dental Lumineer
Dental Lumineer is defined as a dental lens that looks like a thin shell of translucent porcelain and is as thick as the eye lens due to its precision and thinness.
Benefits of teeth whitening at the doctor
- It helps the doctor decide if teeth whitening should be done or whether it will be effective for the patient or not.
- The dentist determines the type of degree and color of the teeth commensurate with the color of your teeth and face so that the whitening is not suitable for you
- The doctor helps in treating tooth sensitivity from teeth whitening materials.
- The dentist can help you choose what suits you from other cosmetic dental methods such as porcelain, veneers, or lumineers, as some of these methods are used with or without teeth whitening.
- The dentist adjusts the cosmetic dentistry according to what suits each person's condition
Teeth whitening side effects
- Higher cost: In-office teeth whitening methods can cost from $300 to $1,000, or sometimes more.
- Clinics cost more than home methods: Home teeth whitening methods cost less than $35, and some methods may cost less than $10.
- The length of time required before starting treatment: starting with going to the dentist, assessing the condition and beginning to deal with it, and taking an appointment to start treatment, consultation, and follow-up after that, while in-home whitening we only bring teeth whitening materials.
- Erosion of the enamel layer: The enamel layer protects the teeth from the outside, the teeth gradually weaken with the erosion of the enamel layer, exposing them to caries.
- Gum infections and ulcers: This occurs as a result of the effect of bleaching materials, even if the gums are covered.
- Roughness of the surface of the teeth: it causes the erosion of part of the enamel layer, which makes the surface of the teeth rough and not smooth as usual, which makes it difficult to clean the teeth.
- Tooth sensitivity and enamel thinning: Tooth pain as a result of eating cold or hot things.
Banana peel recipe for teeth whitening:
- Rub the banana peels well on your teeth and leave the residue on your teeth for 10 minutes before brushing your teeth.
- Brush your teeth with a paste made of baking soda and lemon, which acts as a natural teeth whitener.
How to whiten teeth with starch?
- Wet the brush with water.
- Put the brush in a small amount of starch.
- Brush your teeth well for 2-3 minutes.
- Wash your teeth well with water.
- For good results, repeat the use of starch twice a week.