5 Truths of Teeth Whitening
Hooray! Summer is just around the corner and it's time to let those smiles SHINE! If you are anything like me, you have been sipping the winter days away on too much soda, coffee, tea, wine, and other foods that can cause staining on your teeth. Most times, these stains are easily removed with regular brushing or during your routine dental cleaning. As a hygienist, I am asked daily how to get whiter teeth. The other day my friend said, “I wish my teeth were as white as my legs.” Although this may be funny, there is some truth to the matter.
Here are my 5 truths of teeth whitening:
1 - Genetics play a big role in the color of your teeth.
The outer layer of your tooth is called the enamel and this is the strongest, whitest part of your tooth. The dentin layer underneath the enamel is yellow in color. The thinner your enamel is, the more the yellow color shows through. As we age, our enamel naturally thins out due to the acids in our foods and normal wear and tear. Therefore, our teeth appear more yellow the older we get. As dental professionals we notice people have an underlying yellow, brown, or grayish/blue tone to their teeth. In general teeth whitening works best for people with yellow teeth and is less effective for people with brown teeth. If your teeth are grayish, bleaching probably won’t work at all. It is important to discuss bleaching with your dental professional to make sure you are a good candidate for whitening.
2 - Whitening your teeth is safe and does not cause any harm to your teeth!
Let's compare your teeth to your face. Teeth have tiny pores called tubules that become blocked or occluded by the foods we eat. The whitening solution opens these tubules and pushes the stains out of the pores. No damage is done to the tooth and no tooth structure is changed.
3 - Sensitivity after teeth whitening is normal.
The tiny tubules that were once blocked are now open and they are more susceptible to sensitivity from cold air and food. Sensitivity is the most common side effect of bleaching. The teeth become temporarily dehydrated which reduces their ability to insulate the nerve from the changes in temperature. The sensitivity should dissipate 12-36 hours after whitening. Sensitivity from whitening can be treated with a prescription fluoride toothpaste which will help nourish and rehydrate the teeth. If you already have sensitive teeth, whitening can make them more sensitive.
4 - The whitening process doesn’t happen overnight.
The stains in your teeth weren't put there overnight and they can’t be removed that quickly either. Whitening products like toothpaste, mouth rinse, and even chewing gum are not on your teeth long enough for any active agent to safely penetrate deep enough to remove stain from the pores or dentin tubules. However, after using a professional whitening product, these over-the-counter products can help you maintain a whiter smile.
5 - Teeth whitening is affordable and effective.
Research has shown that you can achieve the same results with at-home whitening kits compared to spending $600 plus dollars on in-office treatments. At home kits take more time and patience, but they can deliver the same results as long as you are a good candidate for whitening.
Here at Yellowstone Dental Associates, we offer 2 forms of at-home whitening:
First, we offer custom made whitening trays. The main benefit with these trays is that they are tailored to fit your mouth. This ensures that every angle of every tooth receives even and consistent coverage. The gel dispensed for take home trays uses the active ingredient Carbamide Peroxide. We are pleased to offer “Whitening for Life,” in which you will receive 2 tubes of gel at every 6 month cleaning appointment. Call us today to see how you can enroll!
Secondly, we offer professional grade Crest Whitening Strips. These strips contain a stronger percentage of hydrogen peroxide gel that you can’t buy in store. Most people experience less sensitivity while using whitening strips compared to the custom trays. Stop by our office anytime to purchase your Crest Whitening Strips!
Come see us and we can help determine what style of whitening will better fit your needs. We want to help your smile SHINE!
-Written by Laura, Registered Dental Hygienist
