Tooth bleaching, whitening is the in-thing
Dec 01, 2002
Are your pearly whites not so pearly anymore? That can happen to any of us. The good news is that tooth whitening can restore your teeth to their earlier brightness
By Carol Sorgen
Are your pearly whites not so pearly anymore? That can happen to any of us. The good news is that tooth whitening can restore your teeth to their earlier brightness.
As we age, the enamel on our teeth wears away, revealing the darker tissue underneath, at the centre of the tooth around the nerves and blood vessels. Teeth may also become discolored due to smoking, drinking coffee, tea and wine, and even from taking certain medications as a child like tetracycline.
“Having your teeth whitened makes you feel good. “It is like wearing a great outfit or wonderful accessory,†says Wynn Okuda, DMD, national president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
“Almost everyone wants whiter teeth these days,†adds Melissa Ing, DMD, associate professor of prosthodontics at the University of Connecticut Health Center. “It’s the number one aesthetic concern of my patients,†she says.
Tooth whitening can be achieved in two ways. A product can bleach the tooth –– changing the natural tooth color, usually anywhere from five to seven –– even up to 12 shades brighter. Bleaching products contain peroxides that help remove both deep and surface stains. The second whitening process uses non-bleaching products that work by physical or chemical action to remove surface stains. Whitening products are available from your dentist, but there are also many products to choose from over the counter. But do they work?
The newcomer to the world of tooth whitening is known as chairside bleaching. This may require more than one visit, each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. During chairside bleaching, your dentist applies either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the soft tissues in the mouth. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
The cost of professional whitening varies depending on what product the dentist uses but usually starts about $500 per session. If your teeth are not very dark or very stained, you may need only one session.
Your dentist can also provide you with a tooth-whitening system that you can use at home. At-home products typically come in a gel form that contains carbamide peroxide; the gel is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard, created from a mold of your teeth. Depending on the product, the guard is worn either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight.
There can be side effects. Occasionally, people experience some sensitivity in their teeth and gums during the bleaching process. People with receding gums appear most likely to experience such sensitivity. which usually goes away once the bleaching is stopped.
If you smoke and drink a lot of coffee, you may need bleaching more often. While the bleaching or whitening process works well, you should not get your teeth too white. Healthy teeth are not pure white, and if you bleach teeth too much, you may have trouble matching new fillings later on.
Are your pearly whites not so pearly anymore? That can happen to any of us. The good news is that tooth whitening can restore your teeth to their earlier brightness.
As we age, the enamel on our teeth wears away, revealing the darker tissue underneath, at the centre of the tooth around the nerves and blood vessels. Teeth may also become discolored due to smoking, drinking coffee, tea and wine, and even from taking certain medications as a child like tetracycline.
“Having your teeth whitened makes you feel good. “It is like wearing a great outfit or wonderful accessory,†says Wynn Okuda, DMD, national president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
“Almost everyone wants whiter teeth these days,†adds Melissa Ing, DMD, associate professor of prosthodontics at the University of Connecticut Health Center. “It’s the number one aesthetic concern of my patients,†she says.
Tooth whitening can be achieved in two ways. A product can bleach the tooth –– changing the natural tooth color, usually anywhere from five to seven –– even up to 12 shades brighter. Bleaching products contain peroxides that help remove both deep and surface stains. The second whitening process uses non-bleaching products that work by physical or chemical action to remove surface stains. Whitening products are available from your dentist, but there are also many products to choose from over the counter. But do they work?
The newcomer to the world of tooth whitening is known as chairside bleaching. This may require more than one visit, each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. During chairside bleaching, your dentist applies either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the soft tissues in the mouth. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
The cost of professional whitening varies depending on what product the dentist uses but usually starts about $500 per session. If your teeth are not very dark or very stained, you may need only one session.
Your dentist can also provide you with a tooth-whitening system that you can use at home. At-home products typically come in a gel form that contains carbamide peroxide; the gel is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard, created from a mold of your teeth. Depending on the product, the guard is worn either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight.
There can be side effects. Occasionally, people experience some sensitivity in their teeth and gums during the bleaching process. People with receding gums appear most likely to experience such sensitivity. which usually goes away once the bleaching is stopped.
If you smoke and drink a lot of coffee, you may need bleaching more often. While the bleaching or whitening process works well, you should not get your teeth too white. Healthy teeth are not pure white, and if you bleach teeth too much, you may have trouble matching new fillings later on.