Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular and beloved cosmetic dental treatments, providing a quick, non-invasive, and affordable way to enhance the appearance of one’s teeth and achieve a smile that is two to seven shades brighter.

Teeth Discoloration: Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Staining

There are two categories of teeth discoloration: extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are those which appear on the surface of the teeth due to exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods, and tobacco, as well as routine wear and tear. Additionally, the development of tartar can aesthetically discolor the tooth enamel.

Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed through brushing and routine dental cleaning. However, persistent extrinsic stains may penetrate the dentin and become ingrained if not treated promptly.

Intrinsic stains are those that form within the teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (such as tetracycline) during tooth formation, and/or excessive fluoride ingestion. In the past, it was believed that intrinsic stains were too resistant to be corrected through whitening. Today, experts in dental aesthetics believe that even deep intrinsic stains can be removed through the tooth whitening procedure, which will last for several months to a year.

Factors Contributing to Tooth Discoloration

Age: There is a direct correlation between the color of teeth and age. Over the years, teeth tend to yellow due to wear and the accumulation of stains. Teenagers may experience immediate and visible results from the whitening process, but after the age of 40, the whitening process may require more effort, as teeth absorb numerous stubborn stains that can prove challenging (but not impossible) to remove.

Natural Tooth Shade: We all have an innate shade of teeth that ranges from yellow-brown to grayish-green and intensifies over time. The yellow-brown shade is generally more responsive to whitening than green-gray.

Translucency and Thickness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth exhibit some degree of translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, shinier, and respond better to the whitening process. Thinner and more transparent teeth, especially those in the front, require less pigment for whitening. According to dentists specializing in aesthetic dentistry, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.

Poor Dental Hygiene: Lack of proper dental hygiene (which involves brushing teeth at least twice a day and using dental floss) can lead to tooth yellowing over time.

Dietary Habits: Regular consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, Coca Cola, carrots, oranges, and other deeply colored beverages and foods causes significant stains on teeth over the years. Additionally, acidic foods such as citrus and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent, and more yellow dentin becomes visible.

Smoking: Nicotine leaves brown deposits that slowly penetrate the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.

Medications/Chemicals: The use of tetracycline during tooth formation produces dark gray or brown stains that are very difficult to remove. Excessive fluoride consumption also causes fluorosis (marked discoloration with the appearance of faint white spots on teeth) and associated areas of white stains.

Trauma: Falls and other injuries can cause significant cracks in teeth, which, if untreated, will accumulate food debris, bacteria, and stains.

How Is Teeth Whitening Performed?

Before commencing the teeth whitening process, each patient undergoes a thorough consultation with a specialist dentist. During this consultation, oral health is assessed, a comprehensive cleaning is performed, and the quantity of hydrogen peroxide gel required for the patient is determined. Additionally, the color of the teeth is measured before and after the whitening process using a shade guide.

As for the whitening process itself, it typically takes 60-90 minutes and is conducted as follows: the gums are sealed with a dental dam, hydrogen peroxide gel is applied, and then the laser is activated to initiate the whitening.

Teeth whitening is a painless procedure that does not affect the enamel, cause sensitivity, or have any side effects.

Contraindications:

Teeth whitening is not recommended for individuals who:

  1. Have spots or excessive fluorosis.
  2. Present dental erosions or conditions affecting the internal structure of the enamel.
  3. Suffer from periodontal disease, as they may experience pain both during and after the treatment.
  4. Have fillings on their front teeth. In this case, professional whitening can still be performed, but the process is more complex. The old dental fillings from the front part of the teeth are removed, leaving them in a cement state. Whitening can only be done correctly and uniformly across the entire set of teeth in this situation. Subsequently, the entire front is reconstructed to match the shade obtained through whitening, and only then is the whitening process considered complete and successfully finalized.
  5. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Recommendations After Teeth Whitening

Following the teeth whitening process, for the next 24-48 hours, the patient should adhere to several recommendations to help maintain white and shiny teeth for an extended period:

  1. Avoid the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and beverages containing colorants.
  2. Refrain from smoking.
  3. Avoid consuming certain foods such as beets, blueberries, blackberries, and various sauces.
  4. Maintain excellent oral hygiene, including the use of dental floss and mouthwash.