What is Teeth Whitening? Know Types, Methods and Costs

Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

A method of bleaching your teeth to make them whiter is known as “teeth whitening”. It will not whiten your teeth, but it will lighten the current color by many shades.

The method of lightening the color of human teeth is known as tooth whitening or bleaching. Whitening is often required when teeth are yellow over time for a variety of causes, and it can be obtained by changing the intrinsic or exterior color of the tooth enamel. Bleaching is the chemical breakdown of chromogens within or on the tooth.

Confidence improvement and a brighter smile is a benefits of teeth whitening.

Who Can Do Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a type of dentistry that is best done on the prescription of a dentist or another authorized dental expert, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist. Some cosmetic shops provide teeth whitening, but doing so without the presence of a dental specialist is unethical and can risk your dental wellness.

What Happens During Teeth Whitening?

  • If you want to get your teeth whitened, you’ll need to go to the dentist twice or three times.
  • The dentist will take an impression of your teeth in order to create a mouth guard that will be worn when applied with a bleaching gel.
  • Then, at home, you use your mouth guard to use the gel for a set period of time over a few weeks. Some teeth whitening gels can be used for up to eight hours at a time, cutting treatment time in half.
  • Another type of teeth whitening that a dental expert can give is laser whitening, frequently called “laser whitening”.
  • Following the application of a bleaching product to your teeth, a light or laser shines on them to activate the whitening process.
  • The laser whitening therapy takes around an hour.

What is the Best Ways for Teeth Whitening?

Here are some simple teeth whitening ways:

1. Crest White Strips:

Theeth whitening Crest White Strips

Crest White strips increase in popularity because of their ease of use and low cost.

They do work and can be a quick solution for whiter teeth, but you should be aware of some of the risks associated with this teeth whitening treatment before using it.

What are the Benefits of Crest White Strips?

Crest White strips whiten teeth by rubbing a transparent strip of whitening gel against them for several minutes.

The strips consist of plastic and are coated with adhesive and whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The whitening gel must permeate the enamel for several minutes before it may “bleach” the teeth. These at-home whitening strips contain the same chemicals that dentists use to whiten teeth but in lesser concentrations.

Crest White Strips Contain the Following Ingredients:

  • PEG-8
  • Carbomer
  • Succinate de sodium
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Peroxide of hydrogen
  • Acrylates copolymer
  • PVP stands for polyvinylpyrrolidone.
  • Polyethylene

2. Teeth Whitening Pen:

Teeth Whitening Pen

A popular tool that you might include in your regular dental care practice to enhance the brightness and whiteness of your teeth is the teeth-whitening pen.

A tooth whitening pen (also known as a brush-on whitener) is an over-the-counter tooth-whitening product. It, like other home teeth whitening remedies, uses peroxide chemicals as a bleaching agent.

This whitening pen removes stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, dark liquids, berries, red sauces, and cigarettes.

It works similarly to whitening toothpaste, but it is more practical, portable, and compact.

How Well Do They Function?

  • You’ll realize that not all teeth-whitening pens are the same. They could contain a wide range of substances.
  • When you apply the whitening solution to your teeth with a pen, you may notice surface bubbling. That indicates that the whitening is effective, but it is unclear how long it will last or how effective it will be in the long run.
  • This pen should only be used for touch-ups or in between whitening activities.
  • If your teeth are at risk for stains, for example, after consuming stain-causing beverages like coffee or soda, you can use a teeth-whitening pen.
  • Teeth whitening pens are best used as a maintenance therapy rather than as a primary technique of whitening.

3. Laser Teeth Whitening

Laser Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening using a laser is a means of brightening your teeth, “Laser teeth bleaching is another name for it”.

A whitening gel is applied to your teeth during the process. A laser gets pointed at your teeth to heat the gel.

This activates the whitening qualities of the toothpaste and changes the stain molecules on the teeth.

Laser teeth whitening is intended to eliminate discoloration and make your teeth appear whiter.

Tooth Discoloration can happen due to a number of factors, including:

  • The intake of certain foods and beverages, such as coffee and tea.
  • Consuming tobacco
  • Aging mouth damages some drugs, such as antihistamines and chemotherapy
  • What is the procedure for laser tooth whitening?
  • Laser teeth whitening can only be performed at a dentist’s office. Bleaching time is between 30 to 60 minutes.

The specific methods will vary depending on your requirements. A typical treatment includes the following:

Teeth whitening laser

  • To help keep your mouth open, your dentist will insert a rubber or plastic support.
  • They will then have you wear protective glasses to protect your eyes.
  • They’ll also apply a gum barrier to keep your gums healthy. A light-cured resin compound could be used to create the barrier.
  • The dentist bleaches the front teeth.
  • After a few moments, your dentist will point a laser at your teeth.
  • The laser activates the whitening characteristics of the bleaching gel by heating it.
  • The gum barrier will be removed and the bleaching gel will be rinsed away by your dentist.
  • According to reports, laser tooth whitening is safe.
  • Your teeth may be more sensitive than usual for around 24 hours following the operation.

4. Naturally Whiten Your Teeth at Home

Naturally Whiten Your Teeth at Home

  • A report based on one survey, 80% of Americans aged 18 to 49 want teeth that are brighter, and in 2016, Americans invested more than $1.4 billion in at-home whitening therapies.
  • When it comes to whitening your teeth, there are numerous options available.
  • Most whitening treatments, however, employ chemicals to bleach your teeth, which may be an issue for some people.
  • If you desire whiter teeth but don’t want to use chemicals, this page has numerous natural and safe choices.

Do Natural Teeth Whitening Methods Work?

To determine whether natural teeth whitening is best for you, you must first grasp what your shiny white enamel is and what part it plays in tooth structure.

If you’re thinking about applying a natural teeth-whitening treatment, keep in mind that there are a lot of claims, but not a lot of scientific proof that they’re either safe or effective. Worse, some of them may have the opposite impact you’re looking for: they may make your teeth less white over time and even create severe sensitivity.

Vinegar of Apple Cider:

People in the natural health profession commonly promote apple cider vinegar as a panacea. It’s a fermented product, which means it contains probiotics, which are important for many of its claimed health advantages. However, this is a trait that may benefit your gut rather than your teeth.

Pulling Oil:

Oil pulling is a traditional Indian therapy that promotes oral cleanliness and detoxifies the body. Coconut oil is another popular natural product, owing to its unique fatty acid composition, which allegedly accelerates metabolism (from the inside) and has moisturizing effects (on the surface).

Vegetables and Fruits:

Although the myth that crunchy food may wipe plaque off your teeth is incorrect, it is true that some fruits, particularly lemons and strawberries, contain natural acids that influence the teeth. Fruit acids that remain on your teeth, like apple cider vinegar, break down the enamel, discolor the teeth, and increase rotting.

Charcoal

Charcoal is making a comeback as a health and beauty hero, with claims such as toxin clearance and virus treatment. It is, however, the natural way that is most likely damaging your teeth. This is due to the fact that DIY activated charcoal preparations can be quite abrasive: Regularly scrubbing your teeth with charcoal can remove the enamel, exposing the darker dentin layer.

Baking Powder:

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a dental hero that is much less abrasive than charcoal (or kaolin clay, another popular natural abrasive). Because it is both a moderate scrub and an alkaline substance, it can minimize the discoloration of teeth while also cultivating a mouth environment that is less conducive to risky germs.

How Much Teeth Whitening Cost?

The cost of teeth whitening might vary highly depending on the product and process used.

Professional, in-office teeth whitening is the most expensive alternative, costing an average of $650 per visit (price can range from $500 to $1,000). However, it does offer the advantage of being performed by an experienced dental practitioner, which helps to ensure that you get the results you want.

Over-the-counter strips and trays, which may be purchased at your local pharmacy or grocery shop, are at the opposite end of the price spectrum. These products range in price from $20 to $100, making them a popular choice for people seeking minor smile enhancements without the higher cost of a professionally conducted whitening.  While using his these lower-cost, lower-concentration peroxide whiteners, effects may vary greatly.

You might be a suitable candidate for professionally dispensed take-home kits if you’re seeking a medium ground between professional whitening and over-the-counter treatments. These kits, which are prescribed by a dentist, range in price from $100 to $400 and have the ability to produce results similar to those obtained in-office by a dentist.

Remember that whitening results are not permanent, so if you want to keep your whitened smile, you’ll need to get treatments as the benefits fade.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teeth Whitening:

What is the most effective method of teeth whitening?

Whitening toothpaste and an electric toothbrush are the most effective ways to remove stains from teeth. The greatest teeth whitening treatment for more dramatic effects is a custom-fitted whitening gel tray. While many people strive for the brightest smile possible, whiter teeth do not necessarily imply healthier teeth.

Is it safe to bleach your teeth?

In general, whitening kits are not harmful to your teeth, according to professionals. However, both over-the-counter and dentist-administered whitening solutions have the potential to cause temporary difficulties in the teeth and gums.

Can baking soda be used to whiten teeth?

Baking soda is beneficial for teeth whitening since it is a mild abrasive that removes stains from the outside of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which aids in the removal of acid-based food stains from coffee, tea, and red wine.

Is it safe to use Colgate Whitening Toothpaste?

The quick answer is that when used in addition to the right toothbrush and brushing practices, whitening toothpaste is safe for teeth.  All toothpaste formulae are given a Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score, which indicates how abrasive the toothpaste is.

What causes yellow teeth?

As we age, our enamel thins due to years of use, exposing the yellowish tone of dentin. Others’ teeth may be yellow due to genes or inheriting dentin genesis and amylogenesis imperfect, which cause teeth to form incorrectly.

Can I brush my teeth with salt on a daily basis?

Salt is abundant in precious minerals. The mineral is necessary for strong teeth and healthy gums. As a result, brushing your teeth with salt on a regular basis can significantly improve the condition of your teeth and gums.

Are whitening strips safe to use on your teeth?

The majority of whitening strips are safe to use; still whitening strips containing chlorine dioxide may damage your teeth’s enamel. Chlorine dioxide is the same acid that is used to clean swimming pools.