The real promise of attractiveness and health means a beautiful smile, which inevitably requires white and well-shaped teeth. However, various hereditary factors (natural tooth discoloration or aging), pathological (use of certain medications), or lifestyle factors (coffee, tea, tobacco consumption, Etc.) sometimes cause yellowing or discoloration of teeth.
Whitening products contain a brightening active ingredient (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that penetrates the enamel and affects the molecules responsible for discoloration.
Oxygen molecules from the lightening agents react with these colors, changing the molecules in the teeth and breaking the bonds that hold them together. As a result, oxygen molecules migrate into the tooth and lighten the entire tooth.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a simple cosmetic dentistry process that lightens enamel and dentin discoloration using hydrogen peroxide gel.
Whether in the office or at home, whitening treatment should only be performed by first performing a thorough oral examination by a dentist to verify the absence of contraindications (untreated caries, devitalized teeth, weak enamel, gum irritations, etc.
This type of treatment is only recommended when the teeth are severely yellowed. It is essential to preserve the tooth’s natural color as much as possible to match the entire face and look natural.
Types of teeth whitening
1. Home treatment with custom-made handles
This method is performed at home using unique handles shaped according to the impression of the teeth. They should be applied during the day or at night.
Once the dentist takes an impression of the teeth, he instructs the dental laboratory to make the handles. He then checks whether they fit perfectly in the patient’s mouth and provides him with a suitable whitening preparation. The patient then applies a particular practice during the hours determined by the dentist during the day. The whitening material should not reach the gums.
After the end of the procedure, an examination must be carried out on the date specified by the dentist to evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness and record the new shade of the teeth.
2. Treatment in the doctor’s office
This technique is performed in a dentist’s office. It uses a more concentrated whitening product and unique whitening lamps with blue light.
A qualified dentist performs this method only, and its results are immediately visible. First, the gums are isolated, so the whitening material cannot contact them. Then a whitening agent is applied, which is activated with unique lamps.
During the procedure (and with all methods), avoiding smoking and eating food and drinks that can leave pigments (e.g., coffee, black tea, red wine, curry, etc.) is essential.
3. Home treatment with disposable pre-shaped factory handles
The same benefits as whitening with personalized handles are achieved, while it can be done at any time and efficiently. However, the whitening agent is applied to the teeth worse than with custom-made handles.
It is possible to combine whitening methods to achieve the desired result.
Teeth whitening achieves better results if the doctor cleans the teeth before it.
Home whitening method
Advantages:
- Lower price
- Visible results already from the first week
- It can be repeated at any time
- Relatively less tooth sensitivity
- A more flexible method because the patient can do it wherever and whenever he wants
Disadvantages:
- An extended period of treatment before achieving the desired result
- A technique involves avoiding smoking and eating foods and drinks that leave pigments (egg, beets, coffee, tea, red wine, etc.).
In-office whitening method
Advantages:
- Immediately visible result (2 to 3 days)
- The treatment chosen by an expert
- Fast process
Disadvantages:
- Mild sensitivity in the first 24 hours after bleaching (can be controlled with a mild analgesic)
- A technique that involves avoiding smoking, eating foods and drinks that leave pigment behind (egg beets, coffee, tea, red wine, etc.)
Whitening method in combined treatment
Advantages:
- It combines the benefits of both methods
- Immediately visible result
- Long-lasting effect
Disadvantages:
- Higher costs
- A technique that involves avoiding smoking, eating foods and drinks that leave pigment behind (beets, coffee, tea, red wine, etc.)
Duration of treatment
The length of treatment depends on the method chosen by each patient, and on the effectiveness of his treatment. With home whitening, the duration varies on average from one to three weeks. The result starts to be visible from the first week, but the final result, assessed after a few weeks, depends on whether the dentist’s recommendations have been followed.
As for whitening in the clinic, the effect is visible two to three days after the end of the treatment, and with the combined treatment, the result is visible faster and lasts longer.
Results are achieved faster in younger patients than in older patients.
Preparation for teeth whitening
Before the actual whitening, it is necessary to carry out a check-up, which allows to assess the condition of the patient’s oral cavity, to treat the teeth that need it, and to find the product that is most suitable for the patient.
Before starting teeth whitening, teeth need to be cleaned. Teeth cleaning consists in removing tartar, as well as stains that are on the surface of the enamel, stains that can come from tobacco, coffee, tea, etc.
Before the whitening process, the dentist will note the shade of the tooth to assess the necessary lightening. He will also explain the procedure to be followed during the treatment.
This step is essential regardless of the chosen bleaching method. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a dentist before starting treatment.
If the patient has toothache (tooth sensitivity, abscess, gingivitis, wisdom tooth infection, etc.), it is better not to whiten the teeth.
Health tips for a bright smile
Teeth whitening will help you achieve the bright smile you desire. However, to achieve a more complete result, you can combine it with other actions to stimulate the well-being of your external appearance. For example, to keep your teeth white, you need to redefine the quality of food. It is best to avoid foods containing pigments and prefer fruits and vegetables, especially strawberries, broccoli, carrots and oranges.
Tooth sensitivity
Today, whitening products are completely safe and often contain fluoride to protect teeth. However, teeth can often become much more sensitive during whitening. To prevent this, it is necessary to ask the dentist about a preparation (mouthwash or toothpaste) that will reduce this sensitivity.
The color of teeth varies from person to person and gets darker with age. In addition, smoking, taking certain medications, eating habits, etc. are factors that can affect the yellowing of teeth.
Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes can remove some external stains, but only a lightening agent – bleach – can remove all external stains and reach the internal pigments that cause this discoloration.
Today, whitening products are completely safe and often contain fluoride to protect teeth.
How long will the result last?
The result after teeth whitening is very stable and you will have a bright smile for a long time after the treatment. However, certain factors can affect the duration of the result – age, diet, use of certain drugs (e.g. tetracyclines), as well as our habits (e.g. smoking) can affect the duration of teeth whitening results.
Important information:
We will be happy to help you and offer a solution to your problem or your dream idea!
Each client is unique and has an individual situation in the field of health or aesthetics (appearance). For this reason, after consulting about his problems and needs, our specialists will propose the most suitable solution – the type of procedure or treatment and the time schedule, in case it is necessary to undergo the procedure or treatment more than once.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact us on phone number 00421 905 928 302, via the contact form or at the email address info@aladiva.sk.
