Teeth Whitening

What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening encompasses a variety of cosmetic procedures that change the color of teeth to a whiter shade. This could include anything from the very simple and moderately effective use of whitening toothpaste, use of whitening gels or strips, or office procedures such as bleaching or laser whitening. Bleaching is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a safe, effective procedure, but laser whitening has not received approval at this time. Teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic procedure and not necessary for good health.

What causes discoloration?
Tooth discoloration can be caused from minerals in drinking water, regular consumption of staining drinks such as coffee, certain medications, or from injury to the root of the tooth.

What can teeth whitening do?
Teeth whitening can change the overall color of your teeth to a lighter shade. The use of some products may make the shade very slightly lighter while other products or procedures may make a more noticeable difference. Teeth whitening may not lighten every type of discoloration. It also may not cause uniform whiteness on a tooth if it was not uniform to begin with. Some products like whitening toothpastes and films can only whiten extrinsic stains; that is, they can only change discolorations at the surface of teeth. Bleaching trays, however, can also help to whiten stains that may also be inside the teeth and may be caused by genetics or other factors besides food and drink.

How long does teeth whitening last?
Whitening is not a permanent process and teeth may gradually become less white again over time if whitening procedures are not repeated periodically. The whitening process itself is usually done over time, although some bleaching can be done in one dental office visit.

How does teeth whitening work?
Some teeth whitening products simply remove stains. In the dentist office, the most common whitening procedure is the use of bleaching trays. Whitening gel containing carbamide peroxide is placed in a tray that fits over your teeth. The peroxide chemically breaks down releasing oxygen into your tooth enamel. The oxygen has the effect of bleaching the colored substances. The structure of the tooth does not change. Any fillings, crowns, bonding, etc., will not change color. Yellowish colored teeth usually improve fairly well, brownish tinted teeth less well, and grayish teeth not very well at all. A patient with a lot of dental work or brownish or grayish teeth may achieve a whiter look through the use of something like porcelain veneers. Bleaching can temporarily make teeth more sensitive. If you experience discomfort, it may be good to talk to your dentist about your options.

How much does whitening cost?
If you are satisfied with relatively minor changes in color, the cost of a tube of whitening toothpaste can be sufficient. If you want more dramatic results, bleaching trays in the dentist office can run into the $500-$600 dollar range. A variety of options both in the office or at home exist that are in between these two extremes. For example, whitening kits can be purchased for use at home, or you can get slightly more powerful whitening agents from your dentist so that you can bleach your teeth over time at home. Generally, the procedures and products obtained at the dentist office will provide more dramatic results. At this time, insurance usually does not cover many teeth whitening procedures because they are cosmetic procedures not necessary for one's health.

How do I get my teeth whitened?
You can buy products at your local grocery store or drug store, or you can arrange for a whitening procedure with a dentist. Ask your dentist about the effectiveness of any products or procedures you are interested in as some may work better for your teeth than others. Further, ask your dentist about reasonable expectations from teeth whitening products and procedures and beware of whitening products that make claims that seem too good to be true.