Bleaching agents are used by targeting the enamel and to hide any stains within the underlying dentin. The dentin can be considered as the shade that forms on the tooth. The more stain molecules that appear in the dentin, the darker the smile. Therefore, teeth whitening does not damage your enamel.
No, it doesn't. The teeth whitening gel will not damage your tooth enamel as it is a hard tissue. The American Dental Association says that teeth whitening is safe. Maintain your results by avoiding foods and beverages that are known to stain the teeth.
Bleaching products can have multiple side effects such as damaging the dental enamel, causing irritation to the gums, tooth sensitivity and more. Some of these effects are lasting; for example the damage to the dental enamel is permanent and irreversible.
Consider a Fluoride Treatment
After an in-office whitening session, a fluoride treatment can help to strengthen your tooth enamel. This can help them to stay hydrated. Ask your dentist if they recommend a fluoride treatment after whitening your teeth.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.
The Cons of Teeth Whitening
Misuse of whitening products can damage different parts of your oral cavity, using too many abrasive products may thin the enamel of the teeth which will make them more prone to damage and decay.
The most common side effect of tooth whitening is tooth sensitivity, and tissue and gum irritation – this is more common when using higher concentrations. Frequent application of tooth whitening chemicals, particularly those of high concentration, can permanently damage enamel tooth surface and soft gum tissues.
Using teeth whitening products too much can erode tooth enamel, leaving you with a higher risk of tooth decay. Translucent appearance: Applying peroxide-based whitening products too much can leave your teeth with a translucent appearance, rather than a white one.
Whitening treatments can be effective on both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Only natural teeth can be whitened, not tooth-colored restorations. Whitening treatments include in-office bleaching procedures, dentist-supplied products for use at home, and over-the-counter (OTC) whiteners.
Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
Tooth whitening is a gradual process which you mostly do with overnight treatments. Your teeth will get progressively brighter, the longer you do it. I normally tell patient to stop once they are happy with the colour.
Also, if you have poor oral health or an underlying medical condition that affects the teeth, the teeth whitening procedure may make the teeth yellow. This is because the dentin has a yellowish hue under the enamel. So, when the enamel thins, your teeth become translucent and may look yellow.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bleaching
When performed by a reputable, experienced dentist, bleaching can reduce the appearance of stains and give you a whiter, brighter smile. That said, bleaching products can have multiple side effects, such as gum irritation, enamel damage and tooth sensitivity.
Whether you choose to have your teeth whitened in-office, or opt for the take-home trays, professional teeth whitening is the best choice for permanently whiter teeth. The quick and lasting results combined with an increased comfortability make the higher cost completely worth it.
Do you really need teeth whitening, in the same way that you need other dental treatments? No, of course not. It is not something that is going to correct decay, or fix a bad bite, or cure gum disease, or alleviate any of the other dental conditions that actually require treatment. But it can improve your life.
Dental enamel covers the softer yellowish dentin layer. As the enamel wears away it will expose the dentin underneath. This leads to sensitivity and a yellow appearance. An at-home whitening product won't repair the enamel or cover the dentin.
When the enamel is eroded so badly, in its thinnest form your inner layer can be seen, dentin. Dentin has a natural yellow color. So, if your enamel is transparent enough to show your dentin, your teeth look yellow even if you brush them every day.
Can my teeth become white again after turning yellow? Yes, there are a number of ways that you can help whiten teeth again after they have yellowed, from changing toothpaste and mouthwash to dental hygiene appointments.
Luckily there's still a way to whiten your teeth, even if it's your dentin that's causing the yellowness. Deep Bleaching is the most effective method to whiten any kind of tooth discoloration. The method seems to work well, even when your tooth discoloration goes beyond your tooth enamel.
Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.
While teeth whitening can be a great way to brighten your smile and increase your confidence, it is possible to overdo it. Risks associated with too much whitening include tooth and gum sensitivity, discoloration, and even enamel degradation.
Some people respond very well and teeth can get up to 3-4 shades lighter after just 5-7days of bleaching or up to 5 shades whiter with one ZOOM in office treatment. Others may not notice as much change. Your teeth will continue to lighten for a couple of days even after you stop a whitening session.
A bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. Laser whitening takes about an hour.
Whether you're using commercial whitening strips or an at-home kit from your dentist, most dental professionals recommend touching up every 3-4 months or after every time you have your teeth cleaned. Typically, you only have to wear the kit 3-4 times to “boost” your smile back to its whiter color.