Teeth whitening: the most popular cosmetic dental procedure

Are your teeth yellower than they used to be?

Are you considering teeth whitening to help reinvigorate a smile tainted by discoloration?

Today, professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world. Unlike home use systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening takes place under carefully monitored conditions, which allow for safe, controlled and pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel – yielding results that are noticed immediately.

Have you tried over-the-counter whitening products such as whitening toothpastes, strips, mouthwashes and gels?

Do you find that they just don’t get the job done?

There is a safe and effective way to get your teeth multiple shades whiter at the dentist. It is called intraoral whitening.

Whitening, also commonly called teeth bleaching, has been used in dental offices for many years. The most common active ingredient used for bleaching is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with the darker ingredients in your teeth – the browns and yellows, and lightens them. The result is a whiter and brighter smile.

There are two types of discolorations on teeth: intrinsic and extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic stains are stains on the inside of the tooth. Aging, injury to the tooth, fluoride toxicity and exposure to antibiotics while your teeth were developing can each cause intrinsic stains.

Extrinsic stains are discolorations on the tooth’s surface. This can be caused by tobacco, soda, red wine, tea, coffee and poor oral hygiene.

Whitening agents can reduce stains caused by both types of discolorations, but the extrinsic stains are easier to remove.

There are a few ways to whiten your teeth – in-office whitening, dentist prescribed, and over-the-counter methods.

In-office whitening uses high concentration hydrogen peroxide and a special light to help accelerate whitening. Your dentist will first place a barrier over your gums for protection, paint on the whitening agent and then use the special light on your teeth for a period of up to one hour. Lights are typically within the blue spectrum, as blue light is to enhance the effect of the hydrogen peroxide. The action of the high concentration hydrogen peroxide allows your teeth to be multiple shades whiter in about an hour. In-office whitening is the quickest way to get your teeth whiter, but due to the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, your teeth may temporarily become sensitive. This method is popular for people looking for last minute whitening for a big event, like a wedding, reunion, pictures, etc.

Another way to whiten teeth is dentist prescribed at-home whitening. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth, fabricate custom whitening trays on the models developed from the impressions and give you whitening gel to use at home. The whitening gels come in different concentrations based on the strength appropriate for you. We take special care to ensure excess gel doesn’t spill over onto your gums by making good fitting custom trays to carry the gel to your teeth only. Common at-home whitening systems are used 30 minutes per day for up to two weeks. This is a very popular method allowing you the freedom of doing it yourself at home while being able to use prescription strength whitening agents.

The last way to whiten your teeth is using the over-the-counter methods. You will see an aisle full of these at the pharmacy. There are strips, trays, mouthwashes, toothpastes and pens. All of these methods have a lower concentration of whitening agent than what your dentist can prescribe that takes longer, or never reaches your desired results. The strips and trays are not custom fitted to your mouth. The mouthwashes and toothpastes can remove some surface stains but nothing more than you would see after a dental cleaning. For the hydrogen peroxide to work, it needs the proper amount of time to sit on your teeth. That is why you may be disappointed with most over-the-counter products.

Whitening does not work on most dental restorations. Hydrogen peroxide is meant to work on your natural tooth structure. So, if some of your front teeth have fillings or crowns, the whitening will not have an effect on these restorations. This will leave you with uneven whitening throughout your mouth. 

Your dentist will be able to tell you which method of whitening will give you the best results. Instant teeth whitening gives you another reason to project a healthy smile.

• Dr. Kendal V.O. Major is the founder and CEO of the Center for Specialized Dentistry, which is a comprehensive family dental practice operating in New Providence and Grand Bahama. He is the first Bahamian specialist in gum diseases and dental implants since 1989. He is also a certified fast braces provider. His practice is located at 89 Collins Avenue, New Providence. He can be contacted at (242) 325-5165 or kmajorcsd@gmail.com.

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