Considering Teeth Whitening Options

Teeth whitening are the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry available today. Both men and women are using teeth whitening or bleaching treatments to get brighter and shiner teeth. Teeth whitening systems are available to meet every budget, time frame and temperament. Whether you choose to use a one-hour treatment session at the dentist office or if you use a home teeth whitening kit that you get at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions are abundant. However, only fifteen percent of individuals have actually used a teeth whitening system. Despite the wonderful benefits one can achieve.

The first step is choosing between a bleaching and whitening system. The FDA only allows the term bleaching to be used when teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This means products that contain bleach in the form of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. On the other hand, whitening is a term applied to products that restore the surface color of teeth by removing dirt and debris. Therefore any product such as toothpaste that cleans teeth can be considered a whitener. However, a tooth whitening sounds better than bleaching so it is more often used and people often are more likely to purchase teeth whitening systems.

Next is to consider hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. For dentist office treatments the preferred ingredient is bleach. However, for faster results a dentist may use a powerful and fast acting hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations can range from nine to forty percent for teeth whitening. For at home teeth whitening systems the slower acting carbamide peroxide is preferred. Carbamide peroxide is an ingredient which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide typically has about a third of the strength of the hydrogen peroxide that is used in dentist treatments. This means a carbamide peroxide solution of fifteen percent is the equivalent to a five percent teeth whitening solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Before starting any teeth whitening system it is important to consider the risks involved. The main risk is sensitivity. Bleaching can result in a temporary sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch. This is most often to occur with dentist office treatments because of the higher concentration used. Those with gum recession, significant cracks or other teeth issues will be most likely to experience tooth sensitivity. If you notice sensitivity still occurring after two or more days then you should talk to your dentist about starting toothpaste for those with sensitive teeth.

Some people will also experience gum irritation. This is typical of those who use peroxide whiteners due to the bleach concentration or from contact with the teeth whitening tray. This irritation can last a few days, but will often stop after you discontinue bleaching or lower your peroxide concentration. Lastly there is the possibility of Technicolor teeth. Bleach doesn’t affect restorations like bonding, dental crowns or porcelain veneers. Therefore, these will maintain their default color while you other teeth become whitened. This can result in what many refer to as “Technicolor teeth”. If this occurs you may need to discuss further treatment options with your dentist to even out the whitening appearance.