Mechanism of Teeth Whitening
Common ingredients in teeth whitening products include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which serve as bleaching agents within the layers of the teeth (enamel) to degrade stains left from different conditions.
- Tea, coffee, and red wine
- Tobacco
- Aging or yellowing
- Certain foods and medications
The three main types of whitening methods include:
- Well, in-office whitening has the following advantages and disadvantages for safety, which very much hinges on the application used with its particular formulation.
- In-office whitening: Highly supervised and very safe; it must be performed by the dentist himself.
- Home whitening: Custom trays with lower concentrations under the supervision of the dentist.
Self-use OTC whitening products: (strips, gels, paint-on pens, etc)
So, Can Whitening Damage Your Teeth?
Short answer: No, in well-controlled conditions, whitening damages no teeth that are deemed to be in a healthy state.
Here’s how it could have gone awry under wrong ones:
1. Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity to cold or hot drinks has been a normal complaint. This occurs due to the fact that the peroxide passes through the enamel and reaches the nerve of the tooth.
- It is temporary
- Some of the measures are the use of sensitive toothpaste and proper intervals between sessions.
- Less likely in a supervised session
Bleaching agents tend to irritate or burn the gums if:
- The gel contacts some soft tissues
- There is excessive use of whitening strips or trays
- Some high-strength agents are being used with little to no guidance
- The risk of this happening is reduced tremendously when custom trays are used that have been made specifically by a dentist
If high concentrations of peroxide are overused, or perhaps unsafe DIY options (such as lemon juice or baking soda) are chosen, then it can cause erosion of enamel.
Bear in mind:
- By nature, clinically, the whitening procedures are supposed to have minimum impact on enamel.
- Cheap, unregulated whitening kits have every reason to be assumed to be non-harmful.
4. Patchy Whitening
Drifting crowns, veneers, or fillings will not whiten rates along with the natural teeth causing patchy results. Your dentist can time these treatments around your other procedures.
The Safer Way of Whitening
To protect enamel and gums-you do need to always observe some dentist-recommended guidelines:
- Opting for professional whitening or dentist-prescribed home kits;
- Do not over-use chemically whitening kits bought over-the-counter that contain a high percentage of peroxide.
- Steer clear of self-implemented treatment hacks (lemon, charcoal, baking soda)
- Sensitive toothpaste is highly recommended for use before and after the whitening process.
This, paired with abstaining from highly pigmented foods and drinks within 24 to 48 hours after whitening, can increase the efficacy of.
Pearl Dental Surgery provides services for:
- In-office whitening with the Zoom! system to get you instant results
- Custom take-home kits for whitening tailored for your smile.
- Complete checks before whitening to ascertain your teeth and gums are healthy
Your smile needs to be bright and healthy, and whitening should not render enamel and gum health into sacrifice.
Would you want a safe way to get a bright smile?
Book a consultation with our team and we will make sure that you get a visible result without taking any risk.