What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening or dental bleaching is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry. Its purpose is to restore the original and natural white color and brightness of the teeth, and remove any stains or marks from the teeth.

A child’s teeth are generally whiter than an adult’s teeth. This happens because the teeth tend to undergo changes in mineral composition with age. At the same time, the teeth are regularly exposed to pollution in the environment, bacterial pigments, color food products and aerated drinks, in most cases. Some people also smoke tobacco or consume tetracycline medication at some point of time which may also cause discoloration or staining of the teeth.

All such cases require tooth whitening, which is a safe and effective way to improve the color of the teeth. Nowadays several over the counter medications are available that let the patient perform the tooth whitening process on his own at home. But the chemical concentration of such products are very weak and the results may not be very effective or long lasting.

If the patient prefers only home based tooth whitening solutions, a better alternative would be to do it under a dentist’s supervision. The dentist prepares customized trays to fit the patient’s teeth ideally. The bleaching gel used by a dentist will generally have a higher concentration to produce a better whitening effect for the patient.

However, the most ideal way to do tooth whitening is the in-office bleaching process, which is performed directly under the dentist’s supervision. The dentist is the best person to protect the patient’s gums and lips from unnecessary chemical exposure. If the patient experiences any sensitivity to the gel, the dentist can control the situation promptly.

Most importantly, in-office tooth whitening is the most effective in terms of results because the dentist will generally use the strongest concentration of the gel under his own control. Nowadays, many cosmetic dentists are also using power or light-induced bleaching, which is also commonly called laser bleaching. Halogen lighting has proved to be an excellent source for producing optimal results for the patients.

However, the patients must recognize the limitations of teeth whitening. It is not a permanent solution, and the process needs to be repeated after certain gaps of time. Furthermore, for very stubborn stains and marks teeth whitening may not prove to be an effective solution. But it is a non-invasive procedure, and if done with proper care, it can prove to be a convenient solution for those who suffer from mild teeth discoloration and staining.