Things you Need to know about Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

Today, white teeth have become more important for people than ever before. To give off the impression that you're happy and healthy, having your teeth look their best is number one!

Everybody wants a whiter smile. Unfortunately, teeth can lose their luster and brightness as time goes by. As we consume food and drinks which can affect the enamel appearance, it can lead to discoloration of your teeth affecting your perfect smile. 

Whitening teeth gives back the shine and color to the teeth. The discoloration of the teeth is removed using this cosmetic procedure. White teeth are becoming increasingly popular among all sections of people and are one of the most sought after dental cosmetic procedures. 

With the wonders of modern technology, finding at-home teeth whiteners can be done in seconds! With cheap and easy ways to make whiter teeth so readily available, there's no excuse for having stained or yellow teeth. 

What causes your teeth to change colour?

Although teeth whitening is beneficial for many who suffer from tooth discolouration, its not always the best solution.  When deciding which solution is right for you, its important you understand the difference of between intrinsic and extrinsic tooth discolouration.

why do your teeth change colour?

There are two types of discoloration which can affect your teeth.

1. INTRINSIC TOOTH DISCOLOURATION

Intrinsic discolouration usually cause your teeth to change colour to brown, yellow, orange or gray.  Sometimes white or brown spots are present due to excess fluoride in the drinking water and the brown spots could be present because insufficient amount of the minerals and calcium needed for healthy enamel. 

2. EXTRINSIC STAIN DISCOLOURATION

Stains that usually occur because of accumulation of  bacteria,  tea, coffee, red wine,  certain spices, berries except strawberries,  certain medications and tobacco to name a few  which build up on the external  layer of the tooth  which is the enamel.  They can appear Yellow due to oral biofilm because of poor oral hygiene and heavy plaque accumulation when undisrupted can become harder called calculus means more virulent bacteria that destroys gum health and bone leaving the tooth mobile – encourage people to clean the teeth twice a day by brushing the correct way and flossing.  

Green appearance could be because of certain medication like penicillum for bacterial infection or fungi from aspergillus family. 

Orange appearance is due to build up of chromogenic  serratia marcescens and flavobacterium  which all fall under the bacteria family caused by poor oral hygiene -  in this case the dentist may recommend a light scale and clean.  In chair or at home whitening option could be an option to maintain the brightness after the treatment.

Bluish green stains is more from the metallic family like mercury and lead dust which can be seen especially in people who work in the mines and people who tend to have a lot of fish as they live in mercury polluted waters -  a light scale and clean can be recommended by the dentist.  

Reddish black stains which are caused mainly by people living in South Asia and western Pacific region of the world from chewing on lime leaf called pan, betel nuts and betel leaves – because of the stubborn dark colour the dentist may recommend a strong scale, clean and polish and definitely after a week or two after the gums and teeth have settled down, at home whitening kit could be an option to maintain the brightness of the teeth.  From the whole oral health point of view the dentist would strongly suggest the person to refrain from chewing the betel nut completely as it can cause cancerous lesions in the mouth. 

Brown stains can appear due to various reasons.  Beverage and food pigments and tannis like red wine, turmeric, berries, tar from tobacco smoking – the dentist may recommend a light scale, clean and polish.  You can also use bleaching or whitening in chair or at home to maintain the whiteness after the treatment.

Treatments for Intrinsic Stains

Demineralization stains are white or brown spots can present themselves as smooth or rough surface on the enamel – scaling or polishing at the dentist will not work, instead they may recommend daily use of  0.5% sodium fluoride rinses to remineralize  the enamel.

Hypocalcification stains look like whitish spots yellow, brown erosions and opaqueness on the tooth enamel –scaling, polishing or bleaching  at the dentist or at home is futile.  Your  dental practitioner may recommend particularly formulated toothpaste to stock up on the lost minerals to prevent cavities if its minor case or they would recommend  going for more permanent solutions like bonding, specific dentures, bridges, veneers or crowns.

Tetracyline stains have several analogs which include a, oxytetracycline, minocycline, chlortetracycline and demeclocycline  includes varying intensities of grey, brown, yellow and blue discolourations - cannot be removed by scaling, pumice polishing, bleaching or whitening as it will have no effect.  Veneers, crowns are the best solutions for this problem.

Dental Fluorosis are stains when excessive fluoride is ingested during tooth development phase or excessive fluoride in the drinking water – scaling or polishing will not remove the stains at the dentist.  Bleaching or whitening can be used but the thing you have to be aware of that during the whitening process the white fluorosis spots will stand out more but after a few days it will settle down and look more blended with the rest of the tooth colour. 

EXTRINSIC STAIN DISCOLOURATION

 

As every individual’s enamel constitution is different, it’s best to go to your local dentist first, understand which group of stains you fall under.  A thorough examination every 6 to 12 months is advisable which includes checking your gum pockets to see if your gums are healthy and not bleeding due to gingivitis or periodontitist.   Getting a good scale and clean.

Xrays may be taken to check the tooth and gum health that is not visible to the naked eye,  also medical history is checked to better understand if your health or any medications are contributing on your oral health.  If everything is fine in chair bleaching  can be recommended.  Although results are guaranteed and the your teeth are beautifully whiter it can leave your teeth very sensitive as the percentage of the peroxide is extremely high 26% and because of that it penetrates into the dentinal tubules  which carry nerves to supply blood to the tooth.  Once they are exposed, opened then its irreversible which means your teeth become sensitive  for months and sometimes years and that is no fun at all as you can’t enjoy the foods and beverages that you normally would love to have especially with hot, cold or sweet things.

That’s why with One Click Smile whitening  gel kit and the refill kit there is no danger of  enamel damage or your dentine as our hydrogen peroxide is very low 6% and very safe to use whilst actually whitening your teeth in a safe and effective manner.  You will see the results after using the kit continuously daily for 6 days in total.  At the dentist they put a protective barrier so the gel filled tray doesn’t  ooze out onto the gums.  Well we have solved that problem to keep your gums safe and to stop the oozing of the gel onto the gums by creating an innovative administering method. 

Our gel come in the brush pen for precise application.  No batteries used for our kits as we don’t want them to end up in the landfills.  Instead we have opted for a wired LED accelerator light which can be plugged into iphone, Ipad, laptops, usb or android phones and hardly takes up your energy while working on your devices.  How to use instructions are all well explained in details on our instruction booklet.  So whether you may be working or relaxing while on your devices whitening your teeth has never been so easy and effective while saving you time to concentrate on the more important things in your lives not to mention way affordable than at the dentists which could be anything from $500 to $1500.

How does teeth whitening products work?

Most teeth whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solutions. There is a significant difference is the concentrations of carbamide peroxide or the percentage of hydrogen peroxide gel in different products.

Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide are both peroxides, contain very volatile oxygen molecules, so they're ideal for teeth whitening.

The oxygen molecules come into contact with surface stains on your teeth which break apart the chemical bonds that keep them stuck to your enamel hence whitening your teeth and restoring the look of your smile.

The higher level of peroxide in the gel will result in higher levels of whitening, providing a brighter smile but it can also result in causing sensitivity of your teeth. 

Laser Bleaching In chair (Dentist)

In chair teeth whitening process is one of the safest and the most effective ways of whitening your teeth. A dental professional who administers the high level of hydrogen peroxide 25-40% monitors the procedure and takes precautions to minimize gum irritation by using rubber shield. 

Before the treatment is scheduled, custom-fitted trays are made to be worn overnight for at least 1-2 weeks . Depending on the extent of  discoloration your teeth are, you may need more than several visits to the dental office to get them back to their original color.

 

Advantages:

• The process is monitored and administered by a dental professional.
• Initial assessment to determine the causes of discolouration or any oral health concerns.
• Soft tissues are protected.
• Quickest results.
• Longer lasting results, don't have to worry about whitening for months if it works in one go.

 

Disadvantages:

• Cost is very high. anywhere from $500 - $1500.
• May require multiple dental treatments before teeth whitening treatment.
• Custom-made trays will be required to achieve the desired result to continue treatment at home. This is an added cost to the teeth whitening process.
• Have to look after the trays as they are customized specially for your mouth.
• High percentage of peroxide can lead to sensitive teeth.
• Dentist controls the outcome when bleaching is completed in the office.
• Inconvenient, as you may need to visit the dentist multiple times. 

 

Home teeth whitening with LED lights (One Click Smile Teeth whitening Kits)

Home teeth whitening kits or the one click smile teeth whitening kits contains 6% hydrogen peroxide gel. The gel is the same ingredient used by the dentist, although the concentration is lower. The benefits of a lower strength is that you reduce the sensitivity and potential  damage to the enamel. However, to achieve similar results to the in chair dental treatment the best results are achieved if treatment is maintained for 6 days when used continuously. 

The One click smile teeth whitening kit contains a LED lights are used in teeth which speeds up the chemical reactions that remove the stains from teeth.  Speeding up the chemical reactions simply means that more stains can be removed during the 10 minute treatment period. Ultimately, the more stains that are removed, the brighter your smile will be. On average, LED teeth whitening can lighten your smile 6-8 shades during a single whitening session. 

What are the Pros of At Home Teeth Whitening?

 

1. More affordable

Trays can be reused over years to keep topping up whiteness.

2. More convenient

Can be done at home for own convenience, rather than book appointments in busy work schedules.

3. You are more in control

You can control how white you need to go and stop the whiting process if you achieve a whiteness you are satisfied with, before the 2-3 weeks whitening period is up.

4. Effective Way of Whitening Teeth

Whitening kits are very effective for people who want to whiten their teeth fast rather than going to the Dentist which means taking time out of their busy lives.

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How Long Does It Take to Whiten Teeth?

In-chair whitening is done in a dental surgery. It uses higher concentration of whitening gel then what you can buy over the counter. You can achieve significant results in a single 1 - 2 hour appointment. At-Home Whitening Kits are used to whiten teeth. They use lower concentrations and takes longer to achieve results. 

Toothpastes usually contain hydrogen peroxide, but won’t get  whiter even with regular use.

 

Can Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening has become a very popular cosmetic dental procedure. It helps to remove stains from your teeth and makes them look whiter. There are many ways of doing this, but risks are  also involved. Some people may experience some tooth sensitivity when they use whitening products. This could happen if you use too much bleach or if you apply bleaches directly to your teeth.  Avoid these methods because they can hurt your gums and cause bleeding. 

 

Advantage

• Cost effective.
• Does not damage your enamel.
• Convenient, can do it in 10  minutes in the comfort of  your home.
• Boosting confidence with healthy teeth and gums.

 

Disadvantages

• Results may vary if the recommended time and dose of gel is not used.
• Customers may avoid visiting a Dentist resulting in less oral health checks.

 

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips can contain a variety of ingredients. Hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, charcoal etc etc to name a few.  The percentage of each ingredient in the strips may vary hence different outcome and also depending if you are a good candidate for whitening strips. 

Advantage:

- they are the one of the simplest form of whitening.

- easy access to product.

- safe to use.

- self administration means you control the process not the dentist.

- easy to use.

- lighter to carry, put it in your back pocket, can take it on the go, perfect while    travelling.

- cheaper option as over the counter products.

- more for maintaining after a good clean or traditional whitening process.

 

Disadvantage:

- can cause sensitivity if left on the teeth for too  long.

- although it is safe to use it can cause gum discomfort if not placed on the        tooth surface properly.

- have to use it for a longer duration 30 mins and use it for more days         compared to the whitening kits to get the desired result hence works better   as a maintenance option. 

-over use can cause unnatural opaque white spots and loss of shine on the   tooth surface.

 

Whitening Toothpaste

Charcoal powder

Charcoal is one trend in the world of health and beauty. It’s becoming a popular ingredient in commercial face masks, all toothpastes, and even scrubs. Some people also swear by it as a way to whiten their teeth.

Activated charcoal used to whiten teeth is a fine grain powder that is made from wood, coconut shell, and other natural substances. It is oxidized under extreme heat to produce its whitening properties.

Advantages

• It might help remove surface stains on teeth.
• It may help your bad breath.
• It is available over the counter.

 

Disadvantages

• It's abrasive and may cause tooth enamel to wear down, making teeth look yellow.
• It doesn't get rid of stains under the enamel.
• may cause teeth sensitivity. 
• Most brands do not contain fluoride, which helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.
• It could stain any tooth surfaces, including older teeth and dental restorative materials, like veneers and crowns.
• It's not clear whether its long-term effects and side effects are safe.

 

Whitening Mouthwash

 

Mouthwash is a very effective way to remove extrinsic stains like tea, coffee, red wine. Most mouthwashes will have a lower concentration Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide.

 

 Advantages:

- it is a cheaper option.

- it is good to use during the maintenance phase.

- very easy to use. 

- Over the counter product. 

 

Disadvantages

• Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash has poor taste—many users find the taste of it unpleasant, especially compared to other mouthwashes.
• Hydrogen peroxide can dry out your mouth, which is not good for your oral health. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide to rinse out your mouth. Saliva is essential to cleaning teeth and remineralizing teeth.
• Increase the sensitivity of the teeth: Alcohol in mouth rinses dissolves the mucus layer.
• To prevent bad breath, brush and floss regularly. A mouthwash won't help if you don't clean your teeth first. 
• Using mouthwash right after brushing your teeth reduces the benefits of using toothpastes. Additionally, the chemicals in your oral rinse and the chemicals in the toothpaste you use could interact and cancel out their benefits.  The mouth wash doesn't adhere properly on the tooth surface because of the toothpaste.  Cosmetic Dentist recommend rinsing your mouth with water a for at least 30 seconds after brushing your teeth.

 

Home remedy of teeth whitening 

Oil Pulling to whiten teeth 

Oil pulling is traditional remedy which originated in India. It is recommended that you swish cold pressed oil in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes first thing in the morning. The oil's recommended is coconut, sesame, Olive or Sunflower oil.  The oil will mix with the saliva, and after 20 minutes you can spit out of the oil.

 Does oil pulling whiten your teeth?

The theory of oil pulling is based on the fact that the increase saliva will decrease bacteria which cause plaque. The reduction in plaque will lead to reduced discolouration of the teeth. 

Advantages

• Cheaper alternative

Disadvantages

• Not ease to hold oil in the mouth for 20  minutes.
• Similar results to brushing your teeth or using a mouthwash.
• No clear evidence that oil pulling will actually whiten your teeth.
• Inconvenient to add 20  minutes to your morning routine. 

 

Using Baking Soda to whiten your teeth.

Baking soda is a good tooth whitener because it is a mild abrasive, removing stains from the teeth surface. Baking soda is an alkaline substance that helps lighten acid-related food stains on teeth.

Advantages

• Cheaper

Disadvantages

• Use baking soda for whitening your teeth less than twice a week. If it’ s overused, it can lead to tooth sensitivity and increase the chances of developing cavities.
•  While it’ll remove built-up plaque and stains from your teeth, it can also damage them if you brush with it aggressively.

 

Good Oral Hygiene. 

We have reviewed all the popular whitening products currently available on the market. However,  practicing good oral hygiene will help to maintain your white smile.

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, if you not after every meal.

2. Floss your teeth twice a day, to remove any food particles and bacteria which can cause plaque build up especially in between your teeth. 

3. Drink at least 2 liters of water to ensure your mouth is not dry, reducing the growth of bacteria and stains.

4. Avoid tobacco products, which can cause teeth stains.

What food should you avoid to keep your teeth free from stains? 

Foods containing tannins, acidic food and sugary food should be avoided to maintain your natural teeth colour. 

Seven important foods to avoid include tea, coffee, red wines, dark coloured sauces, berries, citrus foods and sweets and sodas.

https://oneclicksmile.com.au/blogs/news/seven-foods-that-stain-teeth.

 

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