Dentists Know Best: Teeth Whitening for Everyone

Over-the-counter topical teeth whitening products such as gels, pastes, and strips can only do so much when it comes to teeth whitening because not all stains are created equal. They usually remove only surface stains and stains that have not been on the teeth for a long time. But for more persistent stains and for teeth stains inside the teeth, professional dental treatment is the way to go. Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the staining and the condition of the teeth. It is wise to see a dentist before any teeth whitening treatment is taken on.

What is in teeth whitening products and procedures that make teeth white?

All whitening methods make use of a bleaching agent Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide. Carbamide Peroxide is more convenient and stable as a chemical since it releases Hydrogen Peroxide only after it reacts with saliva. This ensures that no Hydrogen Peroxide deteriorates before it is applied to the teeth. The peroxide reacts with the stain by oxidizing it. This reaction removes exterior stains to a great extent, and improves interior stains with prolonged treatment.

What teeth whitening services are offered in the dental clinic?

Several teeth whitening services are available depending on your need, working budget, and time availability. Below is a brief description of each service and the advantages and disadvantages that each one has.

Custom-made loaded trays

There are actually ready made loading trays available in the market but they do not always have the right size for a person’s teeth. A dentist can mold a custom-made tray that can be used at home. Moreover, a dentist can prescribe the appropriate gel (moreover, these gels require prescription) and teach proper application on the teeth.

Advantages: Less expensive than laser and blue light teeth whitening; effects can last for several years

Disadvantages: Longer contact time (2 to 4 hours every day) and longer treatment
time (two to three weeks); longer recovery from sensitive teeth; gel may leak outside the tray and react with the gums

Laser teeth whitening

A bleaching agent Carbamide Peroxide is applied directly on the teeth. The dentist then uses laser to activate and hasten the reaction between the bleaching agent (usually in gel form) and the teeth. The dentist also applies a local anesthesia so that slight pain generated from the laser’s heat would not be felt by the patient. The teeth becomes sensitive to cold and hot drinks at the beginning but the recovery is faster than when a loaded tray teeth whitening method is used.

Advantages: Shorter treatment time (1-2 hours) than loaded trays, one-time visit, faster recovery from sensitivity than loaded trays

Disadvantages: Outright expense is greater than loaded trays and over-the-counter gels, some heat generated causing slight pain

Blue light teeth whitening

Similar to laser treatment, the bleaching agent Hydrogen Peroxide is applied directly to the teeth. Instead of laser, the dentist uses a blue light (or another light spectrum in other whitening systems) to hasten the reaction between the bleach and the teeth. This procedure is patented thus not all clinics may offer it, and also this adds up to the expense.

Advantages: Shorter treatment time (1 hour), one-time visit, no heat (no pain), effects last for several years (unlike laser), faster recovery from sensitivity than loaded trays

Disadvantages: Outright expense is greater than loaded trays and over-the-counter gels (patented procedure)

Examples: BrightSmile Teeth Whitening System

Zoom Professional Teeth Whitening System

Aside from the teeth whitening services that dentists offer in their clinics, patients are assured of professional and safe treatment. Moreover, they can recommend other treatment needed by the teeth, gums, and mouth before recommending other procedures. A patient is assured of his/her money’s worth in spite of the higher costs that consultation and actual services would entail. These are things that over-the-counter teeth whitening products cannot give.

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