How can I whiten my teeth?

 “How can I whiten my teeth?”  I’m glad you asked!

Many people are interested in whitening options. This is for several reasons. Often, people correlate white teeth with a clean mouth. Whiter teeth are also considered prettier, and more socially desirable. Have you ever noticed in the movies that heroes are portrayed with beautiful straight, white teeth, and villains are often seen with stained, crooked teeth? This also relays a message in our society about the value that is placed on a more esthetic smile. One simple way to improve esthetics is through whitening.

What options are available for whitening my teeth?

Whitening can be achieved in a few different ways, and I’ll give you a hint: one of them is NOT through bleach (even though whitening is often referred to as “bleaching”). In its simplest explanation: Whitening =chemical application + time and/or abrasion. Let’s look at the most used methods:

Whitening Toothpastes

Many people turn to this option because it is accessible over the counter and easy to use. Whitening toothpastes incorporate chemical +abrasives or just abrasives to achieve a whiter smile. Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical that is often used and hydrated silica is the abrasive. These pastes do a decent job of removing surface stain; however, they are not as effective at removing the embedded enamel stains due to the lack of time toothpaste stays in the mouth (the average person brushes for 30 seconds). There can also be safety concerns with the level of abrasives in whitening toothpastes. For example, in people with generalized gum recession, the abrasives can remove layers of the softer root surfaces leading to increased sensitivity and damage to the teeth. Whitening chemicals are also known to cause dental sensitivity and when combined with abrasives can lead to a sore mouth! Before deciding to add whitening toothpaste to your daily routine, you should ask your dentist or hygienist if it is safe to use.

Over the Counter (OTC) Whitening/Strips

There are many whiteners available at the local grocery store; so how do I choose? Remember that whitening = chemical + time and/or abrasion. These whiteners can be effective and how quickly they work will depend on the strength of the chemical and the amount of time the treatment takes. For example, when purchasing a white strip treatment that will be completed in a week, it can be assumed that the chemical will be stronger than one that takes a month to complete. There are no abrasives in these types of whiteners, so they rely on the chemical to do the whitening—hydrogen or carbamide  peroxide. There are many different strips to choose from and strips generally work better than paint-on varieties. Sensitivity is still an issue with OTC whiteners. For more information about these types of whiteners, ask your dentist or hygienist.

Professional Whitening

In the dental office, there are a couple of options available. One way is to have custom whitening trays, like retainers, made to fit the patient’s mouth. A professional strength whitening gel (hydrogen or carbamide peroxide) is sent home with the patient to be placed in the trays and worn at home for 30 minutes to overnight depending on the strength of the system. The process is repeated until the desired shade is achieved. Re-fill gel kits can be purchased through the office for touch-ups in the future.

In-office whitening is another option. This process takes place during a 90-minute appointment in which a protective barrier is applied to the gums and cheeks and then a maximum strength whitening gel is applied to the teeth. Then, a special light is placed over the mouth to accelerate the effectiveness of the gel. After 15 minutes the gel is removed and the process is repeated up to 4 times, or when the desired shade is reached. Custom whitening trays and gel are sent home with the patient and touch-up treatments are done at home as needed.

Both procedures are known to cause sensitivity, and desensitizing treatments are available and can be performed before and after.  

In our office, we are happy to provide both professional options. It is important to note that whitening does have certain limitations, and we are happy to discuss those with you at your next cleaning or consultation appointment.

Warning: it is not advisable to make your own whitening paste at home via an online recipe. Many of these contain ingredients that are unsafe/have damaging effects.