Whitening toothpastes result in effective whitening?

Who doesn’t like to have a bright, white smile? Aesthetic treatments for the mouth and teeth are increasingly sought after in order to achieve the perfect smile. Nowadays, there are a large number of solutions to correct the imperfections that we dislike in our mouth, and among the most sought-after solutions is teeth whitening. Many patients looking for solutions to whiten their teeth, choose to purchase affordable whitening toothpastes on the market. But is this type of product effective in making our teeth whiter?

If your main goal is to whiten your teeth, then the answer is no: whitening toothpastes do not serve this purpose. If you wish to remove surface stains from your teeth, then, yes: whitening toothpastes can bring you positive results. These stains are found on the surface of the teeth due to the presence of plaque, various types of bacteria, or can also be related to tobacco, coffee, red wine or other types of food. What whitening toothpastes will do on our teeth is to eliminate these stains by intense abrasive action, wearing away the enamel, thus creating a whitening effect, but without altering the natural, genetically determined colour of the teeth. For this to happen, the whitening particles need to penetrate the tooth and reach the dentin, which is difficult to achieve through brushing

What tooth whitening actually is?

Teeth whitening is a medical process that alters the natural colour of your teeth without damaging them. The whitening gel, when in contact with the tooth surface, penetrates the enamel and the inner part of the tooth. Due to its hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide composition, it releases molecules that oxidise the tooth pigments and cause discolouration.

What types of tooth whitening treatments are there?

There are two possible types of whitening treatments. One can be carried out at home, using whitening gel and mouthguards, and the other is only done at the dentist’s office.

The first begins in the dentist’s office, where the dentist takes a mould of the patient’s teeth and makes an acrylic, individual, transparent, custom-made mouthguard. This mouthguard is used to place the gel and introduce it into the mouth cavity. The gel should be placed in the mouth for 4 hours every day, for 7 to 15 days.

Treatments that are performed only in the dental office, the dentist places the whitening gel directly on the teeth, directing a photo-activated light and laser light into your mouth. Each session lasts 15 minutes and the result is immediate. The number of sessions to be held will depend on each person. Although the effect is immediate, this treatment is more expensive than home treatment.

How long does the effect of tooth whitening last?

Professional teeth whitening effect varies from person to person, and the habits that each person has in their daily life. It can last from 2 to 4 years, depending on whether the person smokes, consumes drinks that stain the teeth, such as coffee, red wine or soft drinks, and whether or not they have careful oral hygiene. All these factors determine the duration of tooth whitening, which, with the right care, can last for many years.

What are the contraindications of tooth whitening?

The whitened tooth does not undergo any type of structural alteration, nor does it gets weakened. However, it is common for tooth sensitivity to increase. It is advisable to have good oral hygiene, with a toothpaste that is appropriate for tooth sensitivity. Whitening has no effect on restored teeth, because the gel only works on natural teeth.

It is important that before undergoing a dental whitening treatment, the patient books a general appointment to check for caries, as teeth whitening cannot be carried out if the teeth have caries.

Can anyone undergo teeth whitening?

Generally speaking, anyone in good oral health can undergo tooth whitening. Patients with dental problems, such as caries, wear or high sensitivity will need treatment sessions for these problems first. Young people, or children under 18, cannot have their teeth whitened. It is not advisable for pregnant women, or those who are breastfeeding, to undergo this type of treatment, despite the fact that there are no contraindications that prove that teeth whitening affects the baby. Still, as a precaution, it is preferable for women to have their teeth whitened after this period, or before becoming pregnant.

Why do our teeth get darker?

The natural colour of our teeth is not as white as we would like it to be and, as the years go by, it is normal for them to become darker. However, there are several factors that cause the darkening of our teeth: some types of food, such as coffee, red wine, beets, teas or soft drinks. Also, social habits such as smoking, careless and insufficient oral hygiene, use of antibiotics, and devitalised teeth, or dental trauma.

What brushing techniques can we adopt in order to avoid staining our teeth?

You should brush your teeth two to three times a day, for at least two minutes. Do not brush your teeth too hard or for too long. When we over-brush our teeth, what will happen is that the bristles of our toothbrush will create tiny cracks where food debris and bacteria build up, and as a result, will darken the teeth. Brush your teeth gently and in circular movements. The aim of tooth brushing is to spread the paste and remove the bacteria that exist, preventing them from settling in our mouth.

If you are thinking of whitening your teeth, do not forget to see a specialist dentist to discuss the best method to apply, taking into account the characteristics and needs of each individual patient, considering that no treatment is definitive and that it is normal for teeth to become darker as age progresses.

Book an evaluation appointment now. At Clínica D’Avenida we have professional teeth whitening treatments that match what you are looking for.