Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a process of lightening the color of teeth. Tooth whitening involves a bleaching or polishing process that reduces the discoloration of the enamel and dentin caused due to smoking, aging, consumption of tea, coffee and drinks like colas. Tooth whitening is also known as tooth bleaching.
WarningYou should never use lemon/lime juice for teeth whitening. Chewable vitamin C tablets with or without sugar are acidic and are a hazard for not only children’s teeth but also to adult's teeth. Do not use lemon juice for whitening because vitamin C will cause the teeth to lose calcium, damaging teeth quicker than anything else.
Is Teeth Whitening Treatment Good for You?
Tooth whitening is ideal for you if you have healthy unrestored teeth (no fillings). Tooth whiteners are not recommended for children under age 13. Teeth whiteners may not be effective for all types of discoloration. You will not be benefited in the following cases:
Dark gray dental stains
Congenital discoloration (from birth)
Tooth colored fillings
Stains due to some medication such as tetracycline may require long treatment up to 6 months.
Crowns or denture teeth
In general, your teeth may bleach well if you have yellowish teeth as compared to brownish teeth. You may not get good tooth whitening results if you have grayish teeth. If you have colored tooth filling on your front teeth, then these fillings may appear more pronounced against your whitened teeth after bleach treatment. In such cases, you may have other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.
Professional Tooth Whitening Treatment
Your gums are covered a rubber dam. A bleaching solution is applied on the teeth and a beam of light (usually laser light) is directed on your teeth to generate a small amount of heat. The heat releases oxygen from the bleaching solution that enters the enamel and bleaches the colored substances. The process takes approximately one hour. You can expect the results at the very first treatment. In some cases, you may be asked to use home trays to supplement the professional bleaching.
Tooth/Teeth Whiteners for Home Use
There are several types of products available for use at home. When selecting a whitener you must look for the ADA Seal for safety and effectiveness.
Tooth Whitening GelsTooth whiteners or gels contain carbamide or hydrogen peroxide as the active bleaching ingredients. Research indicates that whitening teeth with 10 to 16% carbamide or hydrogen peroxide is considered safe for teeth and gums. The bleaching gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits over the teeth. Results are usually seen within the first week. Currently, only 10% carbamide peroxide tray applied gels are approved by the ADA for home use.
You may experience tooth sensitivity to cold or discomfort in the gums during treatment. These symptoms always disappear within a couple of days after completion of treatment.
Whitening StripsTeeth whitening strips are thin, flexible plastic strips coated on one side with a thin film of hydrogen peroxide that act as a bleaching agent. These tooth whitening strips are placed on the teeth and gently pressed to make a contact between the whitener and the surface of the tooth. These are usually placed for about 30 minutes a day. The strips do not need any special trays. Strips coated with 10% or 6% hydrogen peroxide may be used. Your may expect the results in 7 or 14 days. The treatment can be stopped at any stage.
ToothpastesThe toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives or chemical polishing agents. Whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance program do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth, unlike bleaches.
Tooth Whitening using Homemade Teeth Whiteners
Rub on teeth a mixture of ground charcoal sugar and salt and with honey.
Rub teeth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt with 1 teaspoonfrsh lemon juice
Rub teeth with orange peel.
Whitener / Cleanser - 1
Baking soda, 1 teaspoon
Hydrogen peroxide, a few drops
Mix the two ingredients and use as a paste on your teeth and gums two times a week.
Tooth Whitener / Cleanser - 2
Baking soda, 3 teaspoon
Table salt, 1 teaspoon
Mix the two ingredients and use as a tooth powder.
Tooth Whitener / Cleanser - 3
Rubbing the bark of walnut tree brightens the teeth.
Tooth Whitener / Cleanser - 4
After brushing your teeth gargle with some fruit grade hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water or brush again with a toothpaste.
Tooth Whitener / Cleanser - 5
Brush your teeth with hard wood ash. The wood ash contains potassium hydroxide which whiteners the teeth. However, The excessive use of potassium hydroxide can damage your teeth over time.
