Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is sometimes referred to as bleaching. This is a non-invasive treatment to whiten your teeth and bring out a more natural look, as your teeth age and discolor. Whiter teeth are becoming more in demanded as more and more hollywood stars and famous athletes opt to whiten their smile.
How is this achieved?
One method is to try to use over the counter home methods. While these are good products, patients must use care since they work on natural enamel only. If you have noticed someone with "patches" of white teeth, it could be due to improper use of these materials. For that reason, dentists must restore fillings and other cosmetic procedure AFTER the bleaching is done.
Difference between bleaching and whitening
Products that contain bleach must meet FDA guidelines which state: the term "bleaching" is allowed to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond the natural color. Bleach products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Whitening however is a term used when restoring a tooth's color by removing debris and dirt. Technically speaking, toothpaste may be a tooth whitener. Since whitening sounds better than bleaching, then some dentists incorrectly refer to bleaching as whitening.
Are all stains the same?
No, there are two types of stains. Extrinsic stains are on the surface and can be the result of foods, smoking, coffee, tea and more. Intrinsic stains are formed on the interior of teeth and are a result of aging and trauma. Some kids that take tetracycline during tooth formation will also suffer from intrinsic stains. Give the education and material, patients can talk to their cosmetic dentist in using a "supervised take home" whitening kits. These treatments may last up to months.