In today’s world, beauty standards and the importance of personal care are increasingly on the rise. In this context, teeth whitening procedures are also gaining popularity day by day. White and shiny teeth not only provide an aesthetic appearance but also enhance confidence, providing a significant advantage in social interactions and professional life. Therefore, many people aim to achieve a more attractive and smiling appearance by resorting to teeth whitening methods.
What are the reasons for the difference in tooth color?
There are many reasons why tooth color varies from person to person. These include the use of antibiotics during pregnancy and infancy, root canal treatment, consumption of products such as coffee, tea, and cigarettes, trauma, high levels of fluoride in consumed water, and discoloration occurring after amalgam fillings.
This color change in teeth is divided into two based on the area of discoloration:
Internal discoloration
These are discolorations that penetrate into the inner structure of the tooth and cannot be removed by brushing/cleaning. Structural discolorations occurring during tooth formation (due to medication or excessive fluoride) also fall into this category. Teeth whitening treatment generally achieves success in these cases.
External discoloration
These are color changes occurring on the outer surface of the teeth due to staining from certain foods such as tea, coffee, cigarettes, carbonated beverages, and cola. These discolorations are usually removed with dental scaling.
Why is teeth whitening necessary?
For those who take care of their personal hygiene, the harmony and appearance of the mouth and teeth are very important. Incompatibilities in tooth color and shape can lead to psychological problems. The common belief in society is that white teeth are a prerequisite for a happy and healthy appearance. The interest in teeth whitening procedures among women and men of all ages and backgrounds is due to this belief. Therefore, people desire to have white and sparkling smiles.
Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)
Undesirable appearances occur due to the yellowing or darkening of teeth due to various factors. Color, shape, and positional abnormalities can be resolved using aesthetic and restorative products specially designed for dentistry alongside herbal and natural whitening methods applied in home conditions. In addition to some applications done at home, there are also medical whitening treatments performed under professional conditions by dentists. Among these, the bleaching method, as the name suggests, is easier and less cumbersome compared to other methods.
Teeth whitening is the removal of organic and inorganic colored structures adhering to the tooth surface to achieve a white and aesthetic appearance using specially formulated professional whitening products by dentists or under their supervision.
As the name implies, whitening procedures are performed to achieve a healthy and impressive appearance of the mouth and teeth and to maximize the whitening capacity of the tooth’s color.
When it comes to teeth whitening products, in addition to products that can be applied under professional dental care, products obtained from supermarkets and pharmacies and used can also be considered. However, each product and method has different application methods, reaction mechanisms, and effects on oral and dental health. It is essential to determine the appropriate method for the patient’s condition. At this stage, the decision on which whitening method to use should always be made in consultation with a dentist.
Office Type Teeth Whitening (Office Bleaching)
As the name suggests, it is applied by a dentist in the clinic. Also known as “laser whitening method.” Effective and rapid results are achieved. An average of 1-3 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each is applied. The number of sessions is determined based on the whitening goal and the individual’s tooth sensitivity. Before the procedure, dental tartar cleaning is performed to ensure intraoral freshness and long-lasting results. The target tooth color is selected before the procedure begins. To prevent adverse effects of the chemical agent, the gums are covered with a protective barrier. Tooth whitening chemical products contain a high concentration of oxygen.
They need to be stimulated by light sources such as lasers to become active. After the light application, the gel is left on the teeth for a certain period before being cleaned off. The tooth color is checked after the application. Additional sessions are conducted if deemed necessary to achieve the desired tooth color. In terms of light exposure, office-type whitening is only more effective on the eight teeth in the upper and lower jaw. It is recommended to wait 24 hours after the whitening procedure to achieve the ideal whiteness because the chemical interaction continues during this period.
Home Type Teeth Whitening (Home Bleaching)
As the name suggests, it is a method performed with specially prepared trays at home or in the workplace. Whitening trays are prepared by taking special measurements from both jaws of the individual. A tooth whitening gel selected by the dentist is applied according to the application time and dose determined individually. Whitening is achieved by applying the gel accordingly. It is more practical to perform the application at night. Applying excessive amounts of chemical gel for extended periods in home whitening may irritate the gums. In this case, the gums should be rinsed immediately, and a cream containing vitamin E should be applied.
Home whitening products have lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide compared to whitening products applied by dentists in clinics. Therefore, faster and more effective results are obtained with office-type whitening procedures. Additionally, in office-type whitening procedures, complete protection is provided to the patient’s gums and soft tissues by the dentist. Therefore, the risk of gum irritation in home whitening procedures is higher compared to office-type whitening. The office-type whitening method is a more reliable method in terms of whitening goals and encountered complications during the application.
Combined Teeth Whitening (Home + Office Bleaching)
This method involves the consecutive application of both whitening methods (Clinic + Home environment). Home-type whitening is supported with 3-7 days of home-type whitening after the clinic application.
Single Tooth Whitening (Internal Whitening)
It is usually applied to a tooth whose color has changed after root canal treatment. First, the filling on the tooth is removed. Whitening gel is applied to this gap and sealed with temporary filling. Sessions are repeated every 3 days until the desired whiteness is achieved.
Which type of teeth whitening method is more suitable for you?
First and foremost, you must decide together with your dentist to create a personalized teeth whitening plan. Typically, if a tooth color close to white or one to two shades lighter is desired, only office-type or only home-type whitening may be sufficient. However, if there is significant discoloration in the teeth due to smoking, coffee, or tea, or if the whitening goal is higher, a combined teeth whitening method may be preferred.
Can everyone undergo teeth whitening?
The basic condition for this procedure to be performed is not to have any tooth or gum disease. Therefore, a dental examination before each whitening is mandatory. Those with decayed teeth or gum disease can only undergo whitening after receiving treatment.
Is teeth whitening safe or does it harm teeth?
Whitening methods can cause sensitivity in teeth and gums. This is an expected and normal condition and is usually expected to pass within 24-48 hours. In addition, if an unexpected clinical condition occurs, the dentist who performed the procedure should be consulted.
Scientific studies have shown that there are no problems with the use of whitening gel at a concentration of 10%. However, there is no single study showing structural changes and permanent damage due to teeth whitening. Products with different concentrations for whitening teeth can only be used under the control of a dentist.
Do everyone’s teeth whiten to the same extent?
It is a well-known fact in medicine that every treatment yields different results in everyone. This fact is also valid for teeth whitening treatment and does not yield the same results in everyone. The most important factor here is the structure of the teeth.
How many days does it take for teeth to whiten?
This period also varies from person to person. The whitening period is usually 15-20 days. However, discolorations resulting from antibiotic use take longer to whiten.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
As long as the body is alive, color changes in teeth are considered normal. Permanent whitening in a single session is not possible. After whitening, the color starts to fade over time. The most important factors determining this period are drinking colored liquids (tea, coffee, wine, cola, etc.) and smoking. After whitening, these substances should be avoided for at least 15 days. Generally, this period is 6-12 months. If the whitening procedure is repeated with 1 or 2 sessions every 6 months, teeth whitening can become permanent.
What should be considered after the procedure?
During and for two days after whitening, it’s essential to avoid colored liquids like tea, coffee, wine, cola, as well as tobacco products.
Is there an age limit for getting teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening can be performed on anyone who has completed their growth and development. This evaluation can be made by a dentist.
Are there any conditions where teeth whitening cannot be performed?
This assessment should be made specifically for the patient by a dentist. Teeth whitening procedures are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
How much do Teeth Whitening cost?
The cost of teeth whitening is lower compared to other dental aesthetic treatments. Additionally, it is applied more quickly, thus taking less time. The prices for teeth whitening vary depending on the method used. The most important factors determining the price are the number of sessions and whether combined teeth whitening methods are applied. All these variables are evaluated with a personalized treatment plan to create a budget. Considering the cost, the price of home teeth whitening is lower than the price of office teeth whitening procedures.
Are teeth whitening procedures with natural or alternative methods harmful?
Many whitening practices are attempted using substances such as baking soda, turmeric, coconut oil, strawberries, aluminum foil, lemon, apple cider vinegar, walnut shell, and bleach. However, these substances not only lack scientific backing for teeth whitening but can also cause irreparable damage to the mouth and teeth. Therefore, they should absolutely not be applied.
What is the success rate of Teeth Whitening Procedures?
Scientific research has shown that expectations are met to a high degree in teeth discoloration caused by factors like tea, coffee, smoking, or age. However, results tend to be lower for discolorations caused by medication or excessive fluoride. Therefore, when determining the whitening goal, evaluations should be made comprehensively.
