Getting teeth their whitest and brightest!
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) teeth whitening is the most requested cosmetic dental procedure these days. It’s also one of the easiest things to do to improve your appearance. The benefits extend post-treatment because once your smile is improved, you’re more likely to take good care of it and practice prevention.
Be Smile Smart
Stains can be intrinsic (inside the teeth) or extrinsic (on the surface). While dark foods and drinks can adhere to plaque on the outside of teeth, they also can be absorbed inside the tooth. The longer the food is there, the more likely it is to stain. Additionally, as we age, enamel wears away, revealing the naturally yellow colored dentin inside.
Whitening and bleaching, while used interchangeably, really do mean different things. Bleaching products that are part of the professional teeth whitening process contain carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, which penetrates the tooth and lightens internal stains while removing surface stains. Over the counter whiteners usually contain abrasive ingredients that physically remove surface stains but don’t penetrate the tooth. Whatever method you choose, teeth will be more porous until they remineralize (reform their protective layer), so stick to light-colored food and drink for at least 24-48 hours afterward.
Follow dark drinks or sticky foods, such as cheese or sugary treats, with water to help rinse the mouth. If you drink cola, fruit juices, coffee or teas, sip them through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Also, eat crisp, crunchy foods, such as celery, apples, or carrots, will help mechanically clean the teeth. Keeping a pack of sugarless gum on hand and chewing after meals will help prevent stains when you don’t have access to a toothbrush.
Bright, Brighter, Brightest
While many whitening products are available, they have different levels of effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes remove superficial stains and work with abrasives that scrub surface stains away but can damage enamel. Mouthwashes contain whitening agents that are swished on teeth but only for a minute or two, yielding little results. Flosses containing whitening agents and or gentle abrasives target reaching surface stains between the teeth and whitening chewing gum can help remove some plaque.
While these products are inexpensive and readily accessible, they just aren’t strong enough to remove all types of stains. It’s important to remember that these over the counter products are low-level whiteners and thus less effective than professional in-store whitening. The over the counter options are probably best to help maintain already white teeth. Used in combination with an in-store professional strength teeth-whitening regiment they provide a “one two punch” to achieving your best smile.
Over the counter whitening trays or strips may take longer to yield results as they typically use a low percent peroxide solution up to 5%, as opposed to chair side professional whitening formulas that typically use up to 25%. With in office professional whitening processes a gel formulated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth and in most cases heat, light or a laser activates the gel. Hydrogen peroxide is the only ingredient proven to whiten tooth enamel. While a professional treatment requires an appointment, the results are noticeable and immediate resulting in achieving a brighter smile faster.