Shiny white teeth are the most important condition for an attractive smile. Professional teeth whitening can help anyone regain a radiant smile.
The color of natural teeth is created by combining the light from the enamel with the color of the dentine darker underneath it. Your genes affect the thickness and smoothness of your tooth enamel. If you have thinner enamel, the dentin color is more visible which affects the color of your teeth.
Every day, immediately after brushing your teeth, a thin layer of oral biofilm (membrane) composed mainly of saliva forms on all surfaces of the teeth. This layer is a kind of protective layer composed of saliva and glycoproteins, and is also called the epidermis of the tooth. However, over time, food debris, sugar bricks, and bacteria stick to the pellicle, and if the plaque is not removed, the tooth surface can become discolored.
Well-groomed, white teeth are a physical trait associated with youth and health. However, with age, the teeth darken, and the rest is done by stimulants such as tea, coffee, cigarettes and red wine.
Fortunately, there is a safe and effective way to whiten discolored and yellowed teeth. Thanks to the teeth whitening treatment at the dentist, it regains its original color without damaging the tooth enamel.
Thanks to professional teeth whitening in dentistry, the color of teeth can be brightened up to nine shades. When whitening with a household whitening solution, the tooth color can be lightened by up to four tones.
Who can have teeth whitening treatment?
In fact, professionally performed teeth whitening treatments are not very risky. Therefore, they can be recommended almost without hesitation to anyone who wants whiter teeth. However, before the actual teeth whitening process, a comprehensive dental examination by a dentist should be performed. On the one hand, dental diseases such as caries should be treated, on the other hand, a good effect can be achieved with professional tooth cleaning.
Even with existing or planned dentures (e.g. dental implants), the patient must be informed about the teeth whitening results and can be corrected as the color of the implants or ceramic structures does not change as a result of teeth whitening.
The risks of teeth whitening
Teeth whitening usually causes increased tooth sensitivity, and this side effect is especially noticeable on sensitive tooth necks. In most cases, tooth sensitivity disappears on its own within a few days. Usually, the teeth and enamel are not permanently damaged because the enamel becomes more resistant with subsequent fluoridation. In case of accidental ingestion of the whitening gel, the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and stomach may be irritated, but this risk can be significantly reduced by gentle dosing of the substance or by whitening the teeth.
If teeth whitening is to be performed, it is recommended that a dentist do so. Before starting treatment, it can be determined to what extent adequate teeth whitening is best suited to an individual goal or whether disturbing discoloration can be removed by professional tooth cleaning. It is also important to clarify any disease and make sure that there are dentures.
Compared to over-the-counter whitening agents, dental treatment is more expensive but much more effective because the gel used has a relatively high concentration of active ingredients. Bleaching agents available in pharmacies and supermarkets are sometimes ineffective. The dentist also makes sure that no damage occurs during treatment or that the teeth are later protected against damage by using fluoride varnish.
How long does teeth whitening take?
Basically, the following rule applies: the greater the treatment effort, the more frequent visits to the dentist’s office and the brighter the discolored teeth, the more time you have to plan.
The time needed for a thorough initial examination and the necessary professional tooth cleaning should also be taken into account. The actual whitening, including special irradiation, takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, depending on the technique used. If a second treatment is needed within one to two weeks, the same treatment course is repeated.
From the beginning of the aesthetic dental procedure to the final completion, you should take a complete break of two to four weeks. There should be at least two to three weeks between the required professional cleaning and teeth whitening. With professional teeth whitening, you can expect the results to last for a year or more. Of course, how long the whitening effect lasts also depends on various factors that are closely related to the patient’s behavior. The result is less durable if the treated person smokes or regularly consumes tooth structure-coloring drinks, such as black tea or red wine.