Even though it is important to brush your teeth regularly to keep them clean, your teeth will develop stains with time. This can happen from drinking beverages like coffee, tea, and wine, smoking, or growing old. People look for teeth-whitening solutions over time when their teeth start developing a yellow hue. Getting your teeth whitened can dramatically improve your looks and self-confidence and leave an impact.
When you are ready for a bright smile, we at The Hawthorne Dentist can help. We will guide you to the best whitening treatment for your needs.
What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatment is a cosmetic dental procedure focused on lightening your teeth’ color and helping remove stains. You can have it done in a dental office by professionals. Dentists use high-concentration bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents are often activated with light or laser for better results. Alternatively, your dentist can prescribe at-home kits using custom-fitted trays with whitening gel for constant application over weeks.
Alternatively, you can find over-the-counter products, including whitening strips, gels, toothpaste, and rinses, in your drugstore. They contain fewer whitening agents and offer gradual improvements.
The process allows the bleaching agents to penetrate your enamel and break down the stain. They do this through oxygen molecules that react with the discoloration. Professional treatments take about an hour, while at-home or over-the-counter options may require daily use over many weeks.
Teeth whitening is safe when done correctly. If incorrectly administered, it can lead to gum irritation, sensitivity, and damage. The severity of the stains, the whitening option you select, and your dedication to the procedure influence the results.
Before whitening your teeth, consult your dentist to determine whether the treatment suits your dental condition.
Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration
The primary intent of whitening teeth is to get rid of discoloration or stain and return or enhance the original color of the teeth. However, before exploring teeth whitening options, it is best to understand what causes teeth discoloration. Teeth can become discolored for many reasons, including:
Lifestyle Choices
Ongoing choices you make in life can easily stain and discolor your teeth, particularly with:
- Your diet choices.
- Tobacco use.
- Fail to clean and brush your teeth properly.
Your diet is one of the biggest culprits. Drinks like coffee and tea, sodas and red wine, and pigment-rich foods like berries and curry are likely the main reasons your teeth are losing their white color. These substances leave color deposits on your enamel, leading to noticeable stains that can dull your smile.
Smoking causes even more stains. The tar and nicotine in smoking and other tobacco products can stain teeth and lead them to develop a yellow or brown hue. These stains adhere to the teeth and usually require a professional’s help. Tooth discoloration is not just an aesthetic concern. It also raises the risk of developing oral disease.
If you fail to maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria, and food particles will build up. When you fail to brush or floss regularly, plaque builds up, which causes decay and surface stains. If you do not treat these external stains, they can enter the inner layer of your teeth, making them harder to remove.
Aging
Everything in your body, including your teeth, changes as you age. As time passes, the enamel on your teeth changes significantly, changing the appearance and color. Your body’s hardest substance is enamel, which protects your teeth from daily wear. Unfortunately, as you grow older, several factors cause your teeth to thin or erode.
Wear and tear is a significant contributor. The enamel on your teeth wears down slowly due to chewing, grinding, and acidic foods and drinks. As you age, saliva’s composition changes, preventing it from neutralizing acid or preventing damage to the enamel. Moreover, you produce less saliva. A dry mouth makes your enamel wear down faster.
A layer of yellowish shade of dentin becomes evident due to enamel thinning. Over time, this layer, which is naturally yellow or off-white, gives your teeth a yellow or greyish tint. Your teeth may become less white as the enamel wears down and your dentin shows through.
Medication
Some drugs can discolor teeth from the inside out, mainly when administered during critical periods of tooth development. Tetracycline antibiotics are a well-known culprit. Certain drugs in this category can cause intrinsic tooth discoloration, especially when given to children with developing teeth. These medicines attach to calcium in the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, permanently discoloring the teeth. The discoloration can be yellow-gray to dark brown or black. Because this staining is caused from inside the tooth, traditional whitening methods usually do not work.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer can also change the color of teeth. Chemotherapy can affect the mineralization process in children and teens, which discolors teeth. In adults, chemotherapy can darken teeth by affecting the nerve and blood supply within the tooth. Radiation therapy, especially for cancers of the head and neck, compounds these issues. It can damage your salivary glands. Thus, it can change how much saliva you produce and your natural protection against decay. Moreover, it will change the structure of the teeth. This is particularly true in a person whose teeth are still growing or developing.
It is worth noting that intrinsic discoloration occurs inside a tooth, and you usually need cosmetic dental work, like bonding, veneers, or crown treatment. Children undergoing treatments must get their dental checkups regularly. Going for regular checks allows dentists to check your health and implement measures to prevent issues and manage any potential discoloration early.
Genetics
The color of your teeth is influenced by genetics. The thickness and translucency of the enamel and dentin determine the natural color of your teeth. Some people have thicker enamel, which makes their teeth look whiter by hiding the yellower dentin beneath them. People with thinner enamel on their teeth will have more dentin visible, leading to a yellower appearance. Genetically, the shade of the enamel may also differ. This means some people inherit enamel that is naturally yellowish or greyish.
Certain genetic disorders can directly affect the structure and color of teeth. Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI) and Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) can cause distinctive dental discoloration and structural issues.
Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is a genetic disorder that affects the development of dentin. Affected teeth may appear translucent and have a blue, gray, or brown tint. The abnormal dentin structure can also make teeth weaker and more prone to chipping. DI affects both permanent and primary teeth, thus causing discoloration from the outset.
Amelogenesis imperfecta affects the enamel, making it too thin, soft, or poorly structured. In its different subtypes, AI can produce yellow or brown teeth. The lack of proper enamel exposes the underlying dentin, which can cause increased sensitivity, discoloration, and a higher risk of decay.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
If you want to brighten your smile from the comfort of your home, then you can consider these at-home teeth whitening options. Some of the options include:
- Whitening strips — Whitening strips are flexible strips coated in peroxide-based bleach that are applied to the teeth for 30 minutes to an hour daily, spread over several weeks. These strips are simple to use and match your teeth’s shape. However, they may not reach your back teeth as effectively.
- Whitening toothpaste — The abrasives and chemicals in whitening toothpaste, like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, help remove surface stains. Although these can maintain whiteness, they are typically less effective than other options and better at gradually eliminating stains.
- Whitening gels — These gels come with a tray, which you fill and wear for 30 minutes to an hour daily. A dentist makes some trays for a proper fit. Certain whitening gels allow for overnight application for more prolonged exposure.
- Whitening rinses — These are mouthwash-type products with hydrogen peroxide. With regular use, you will gradually get lighter teeth, but because of their short contact time, the results will not be as dramatic as those of other options.
- Natural remedies — Some individuals use homemade remedies like baking soda, activated charcoal, or hydrogen peroxide solutions for whitening. However, these can be harmful or too strong if not used carefully, potentially damaging the enamel or irritating gums.
Using at-home whitening products can be effective, but not always. The product’s strength, the type of stains, and how you respond affect results. Using peroxide-based products might also cause some sensitivity. If you have tooth sensitivity, dental restorations, or have not whitened in a while, getting a check-up from the dentist before starting an at-home whitening regimen is a good idea. They can advise you on the procedure best for your dental health and may even prescribe other professional treatments.
What to Expect During Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
While you can whiten your smile at home, choosing to whiten your teeth professionally offers many benefits. Professional whitening is less risky. It is designed to work on most stains, and many patients see consistent results with expert whitening. Furthermore, when a dentist performs the whitening, it will be tailored to your dental needs, which also helps reduce the risk of side effects, sensitivity, or irritation.
The following steps are what you should expect during a professional whitening procedure:
Initial Consultation
The process starts with a consultation, during which your dentist evaluates your oral health. He/she will check for problems like cavities or gum disease that need to be treated. Your dentist must treat any dental issues to prevent complications during tooth whitening.
Your dentist will then discuss your whitening goals and expectations. This ensures that the treatment aligns with your desired outcome and allows the dentist to customize treatments based on your condition. Consultation is a significant step in determining if the teeth whitening procedure will work for you and help develop a plan for optimum results. The dentist will also explain how the treatment works, what results you can expect, and any follow-up required to make an informed choice about the treatment plan going forward.
Part of this initial consultation will be a shade assessment. Your dentist will check your teeth’s shade using a special shade guide. This serves as the baseline for comparison after the whitening to set realistic expectations.
Preparation for the Tooth Whitening Procedure
If necessary, the next step is to clean your teeth if there is plaque or any superficial stains that will hinder the effectiveness of the whitening agent. This ensures that the whitening gel can have direct contact with the enamel and provide the best results. The dentist will use special tools to clean your teeth, freeing them of buildup or debris.
Once your teeth are clean, the dentist will apply a barrier to protect your gums. This step helps avoid irritation from the whitening gel, which can be harsh on sensitive tissues. Usually, a special gel or rubbery-like material is applied over the gums for protection. It protects your soft tissues and gums throughout the procedure. It exposes only your teeth to the whitening agent and prevents irritation or damage to your gums.
Application of Whitening Agent
During the procedure, your dentist will apply a high-concentration whitening gel. Unlike products at home, this gel uses stronger active ingredients, typically carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which are more effective at breaking down stains and discoloration. The dentists will carefully apply the gel directly to the surface of your teeth, often in multiple layers, to ensure thorough coverage and maximum effectiveness.
Sometimes, a dentist may also improve the whitening process with light, laser, or heat. These techniques aim to activate the whitening gel, speeding up the chemical reactions that target stains on your enamel. Speeding things up helps achieve quicker and more noticeable results. Not all offices use these methods, as the whitening gel is powerful enough to achieve great results.
Generally, a full session lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the procedure and level of whitening required. Some dentists may offer shorter sessions for a few days for people who want more dramatic results. This ensures that the teeth are gradually lightened to the desired shade, with each session building upon the last for optimal results.
During the session, your dentist will monitor your progress to ensure your teeth whiten evenly and the treatment progresses as expected.
Post-Treatment Care
Once the whitening is done, your dentist will assess the result and compare the newly achieved shade with the one before the whitening procedure. This step is necessary to ensure your teeth have achieved the desired level of whiteness. Your dentists will give you aftercare instructions for maintaining a brighter smile. After your whitening procedure, your dentist may suggest you avoid certain drinks or foods for the first 48 hours, like tea, coffee, red wine, or foods with dark pigment. You might also have to stop smoking or using tobacco products to avoid staining.
Your dentist may give you more options, including a custom-fitted tray to help maintain your results. These trays can be used at home with a professional-strength touch-up gel to keep your teeth looking bright. Depending on your case, your dentist might suggest home treatment regularly or occasional professional touch-ups to maintain results over time.
Many patients see an improvement in the color of their teeth after the treatment, though some may temporarily experience sensitivity or irritation. This is a common side effect of teeth whitening. It usually happens when you use products with a high concentration of peroxide. The sensitivity usually subsides in a few days. If you experience any pain during this time, the dentist can help by giving you toothpaste for sensitive teeth and other processes that will help reduce your sensitivity.
Professional teeth whitening is an efficient option, as the dentist oversees every step of the process. This ensures that the whitening process is done effectively according to your dental health and whitening needs. This method gives better results and helps reduce complications arising from at-home alternatives.
Common Risks and Side Effects Associated With Teeth Whitening
Whether your teeth whitening treatment is done at home or by an expert, it can deliver excellent results. However, there is a possibility of complications and risks involved. Knowing the risks of teeth whitening can help you become cautious about this treatment. Some of the potential side effects and risks include:
Tooth Sensitivity
A common side effect of whitening treatments is tooth sensitivity. You could experience sensitivity in hot, cold, or sweet drinks and food. Tooth sensitivity after whitening occurs because the whitening agents temporarily open the pores of the enamel, exposing the dentin. Sensitivity often goes away in a few days, but some may experience prolonged discomfort or have more intense reactions. If the sensitivity continues, check with your dentist, who may recommend desensitizing treatments or other whitening process alterations to minimize discomfort and protect your teeth.
Irritation of Gum and Soft Tissues
Getting your teeth whitened could cause gum irritation or soft tissue discomfort. This happens because the whitening gel comes into contact with the gum or sensitive areas. This is common with at-home whitening products. The trays may not fit properly, causing gel leaks to the gum.
Professional whitening products can also irritate gum if rubber dams or gels are improperly placed. Sometimes, the whitening agent can further cause chemical burns with prolonged exposure. Typically, these impacts go away in a few days, but you must follow the dentist’s recommendations and ensure that the treatment is done carefully. Let your dentist know immediately if it causes you pain. They can give you instructions or make adjustments to avoid discomfort.
Uneven Results
Another potential problem is uneven whitening. Your stained teeth or those with a filling or crown may not whiten as well as your natural teeth, leading to patchy results.
Overuse and Enamel Damage
It is possible to overuse or misuse whitening products, and this could damage your teeth and enamel. Products with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide can do this damage. If teeth are over-whitened, they may look more translucent or unnaturally white.
Potential for Cavities
Using whitening agents may worsen these issues, undiagnosed cavities, or periodontal disease. The bleaching agents may penetrate these weak spots to cause pain or more damage. Address any existing dental problems before undergoing whitening treatments to avoid exacerbating these conditions. A dentist can examine your mouth and make a recommendation. They can help ensure your teeth are safe and healthy for whitening.
Allergic Reactions
Although this is rare, some people can have allergic reactions to whitening products. These reactions can cause swelling, rashes, or severe irritation of the mouth or skin. If you experience signs of an allergic response after using a whitening product, it is best to refrain from using it and seek medical help. Speak to your dentist about whitening treatments before using them because this will help identify allergens and avoid an adverse reaction. It is vital to follow the instructions given with whitening products.
Moreover, a patch test should be performed to see if there is a chance of an allergic response.
To avoid these risks, carefully follow product instructions for at-home treatment. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on whitening products, and consult with a dentist before and after your whitening procedure.
Find a Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me
One way or another, discoloration and staining are a part of life. However, these changes should not affect your smile when solutions like teeth whitening are available. Teeth whitening can help you regain confidence with a bright and healthy smile.
At The Hawthorne Dentist, we understand how vital a radiant smile is to your appearance and self-esteem. We will customize our expert teeth-whitening services to meet your unique needs while ensuring safety, comfort, and magnificent results. With cutting-edge technology and some of the highest-quality whitening agents available, we can help reduce risk and improve the whiteness of your teeth.
Let your smile shine. Call us at 310-775-2557 to set your appointment today, and let us help you get the brilliant smile you deserve.
