Teeth whitening

By FDA definition,

"Whitening" refers to restoring a tooth's surface color by removing dirt and debris. Therefore any products that cleans - like a toothpaste - is considered a whitener.

"Bleaching" is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach - typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, therefore it is more frequently used - even when describing products that contain bleach.

Tooth staining comes from many causes : age, inborn tooth color, tooth translucency and thinness, eating habits, smoking habits, drugs/chemicals, grinding, trauma etc.

There are three major teeth whitening options are avialable today. All three rely on varying concentrations of peroxide and varying application time.
     - Professional In-office teeth whitening
     - Professionally Dispensed take-home whitening kit
     - Over-the-counter whitening kit

Professional In-office teeth whitening

Today the professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. With high concentration of bleaching gel - yielding results that are visible immediately - dentist and dental staffs will carefully monitor conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free.

Opalescence Boost

Praised for the viscosity of its bleaching gel — a sticky quality that is considered a major plus in tooth-bleaching — Opalescence Boost relies on chemistry for achieving its effects, and does not include the use of a special light activator. Its 38 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide gel contains a unique patented component called PF, a mix of potassium nitrate (reducing the risk of sensitivity associated with tooth whitening) and fluoride (the enamel-strengthener which reduces the risk of cavities).

Total chair time: One to two hours.

Professionally Dispensed take-home whitening kit

      Many dentist are of the opinion that professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits can produce the best results over the long haul. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight). The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that resemble mouth guards. Anyway these kits contain higher percentages of bleach than over-the-counter kits and typically consist of:
            - Custom-fitted application trays fabricated from a flexible plastic material. These trays offer several benefits, including:
                * They help ensure that the bleach stays in contact with the teeth for maximum whitening.
                * They help prevent saliva from coming into contact with the bleaching agent (which can dilute its strength).
                * They minimize the amount of bleach that can dribble onto (and potentially irritate) the gums.
            - Bleaching compounds are either pre-loaded into the trays or stored in syringes and added to the trays just before use. In many cases, your dentist can fine-tune the bleach concentration and add a desensitizing agent to use before or after application. Generally, enough gel is provided for one two-week treatment per year, plus one- or two-day touch-ups every four to six months.

Over-the-counter whitening kit

The cheapest and most convenient of the teeth whitening options, over-the-counter bleaching involves the use of a store-bought whitening kit, featuring a bleaching gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators. In many cases this may only whiten a few of the front teeth unlike custom trays that can whiten the entire smile.

Teeth Whitening Risks

: Temporary teeth hypersensitivity
: Gum irritation
: Technicolor effect

           Restorations such as composite resin fillings, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are not affected by bleach.

Maintaining Your Whiter Smile :

To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, dentists are likely to recommend:
            - At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening — implemented immediately or performed as infrequently as once a year.
            - Avoiding dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening.
            - Whenever possible, sipping dark-colored beverages with a straw.
            - Practicing excellent oral hygiene — brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime.

Conditions :

These are some conditions should be considered before undergoing teeth whitening :
            - No amount of bleaching will yield “unnaturally” white teeth.
            - Whitening results are not fully seen until approximately two weeks after bleaching. This is an important consideration if you are about to have ceramic restorations and want to be sure the color matches that of your newly bleached teeth.
            - To avoid the technicolor effect, tooth-colored restorations will likely need replacement after bleaching.
            - Recessed gums often reveal their yellowish root surfaces at the gum line. That yellow color has proven difficult to bleach.
            - Pregnant or nursing women are advised to avoid teeth whitening. The potential impact of swallowed bleach on the fetus or baby is not yet known.