White teeth are attractive and often indicate good oral health. The American Dental Association, or ADA, suggests beginning your quest for whiter teeth by practicing good oral hygiene, which helps avoid dental problems--such as gum disease and tooth decay, for example--that can make teeth whitening uncomfortable. You should then consult a qualified dentist for sound guidance instead of obtaining a potentially damaging treatment from a mall or salon's tooth-whitening kiosk or a store's cosmetic department.
Significance
The ADA defines tooth-whitening treatments as any procedures capable of making teeth look whiter. Although all toothpastes can remove stains on the surface of teeth, according to the ADA, such cleaning is not always sufficient to make teeth their whitest. Whitening treatments obtained from a dentist are generally faster, safer, stronger, more expensive and more effective than products bought in a store, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Features
Processes and products that whiten teeth work in one of two ways, according to the ADA. Some, such as treatments with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, use bleaching techniques to change the natural color of teeth. Others, such as store-bought whitening toothpastes, involve non-bleaching techniques that only remove stains from the outer surface of teeth. Both bleaching and non-bleaching products usually work against extrinsic stains on tooth surfaces, which occur through normal oral activities and exposure to dark foods, beverages and substances like tobacco. However, the Consumer Guide to Dentistry states that bleaching products are typically required to reduce intrinsic stains, which originate inside teeth due to such situations as aging and excessive fluoride ingestion.
Types
The ADA separates tooth-whitening treatments into four main categories: bleach whiteners requiring professional application; nonprescription bleach products available in stores, such as whitening gels or strips; whitening bleaches that dentists dispense, frequently with a tray that holds the whitener in place over the teeth for a set amount of time; and whitening toothpastes. Dentists apply professional-grade bleaching products in their office, using a protective substance on gums and a laser or special light to increase the product's effectiveness. Patients apply the remaining treatments at home themselves.
Considerations
Treatments for whitening teeth do not make teeth permanently whiter. As a result, people who have had their teeth whitened should follow various precautions to help maintain the new color of their teeth. The Consumer Guide to Dentistry recommends waiting approximately seven days after treatments end before consuming dark beverages and foods, using a straw when drinking dark beverages and repeating treatments for maintenance purposes when needed. Individuals who have undergone teeth whitening should also make sure to adopt good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing teeth after meals and flossing every day.
Warning
Certain people should avoid whitening their teeth for health reasons. For example, the Consumer Guide to Dentistry notes that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not get their teeth whitened with products containing bleach because research has not yet confirmed if swallowing bleach can have an adverse effect on babies or fetuses. The Consumer Guide to Dentistry also suggests remaining patient when having additional work done on your teeth besides whitening. Since it can take up to about 14 days for the full effect of whitening to become evident, patients should be prepared to wait at least that long before undergoing other dental procedures that impact tooth color, such as obtaining restorations or veneers.
References
- American Dental Association: Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products
- American Dental Association: Tooth Whitening Treatments
- American Dental Association: Tooth Whitening - What You Should Know
- Cleveland Clinic: What Teeth Whitening Options Are Available?
- Consumer Guide to Dentistry: Teeth Whitening - How Does Bleaching Work and What Does it Cost?
