Teeth Whitening – Methods & Benefits

Excerpt: White teeth are typically seen as an indication of good health, and whiter shades are usually seen as more attractive than not.

Posted on: February 25, 2022

Fast Facts

Whitening toothpaste has ingredients that make it slightly more abrasive than regular toothpaste.
The light used in whitening procedures is there to “cure” the whitening agent.
At-home kits work best if the staining is only superficial.

White teeth are typically seen as an indication of good health, and whiter shades are usually seen as more attractive than not. Having slightly stained teeth is not a bad thing, but it can make certain people self-conscious.

Why Do Teeth Become Stained?

There are two main sources of discoloration for teeth:

Extrinsic Discoloration

The main sources of extrinsic discoloration are:
Coffee, tea, wine, food, and tobacco.

This type of staining has the best chance of being treated by at-home whiteners.,

Intrinsic Discoloration

The main sources of intrinsic discoloration are:
Medication, illness, trauma, or aging.

You will most likely need professional whitening for this type of staining.

Teeth Whitening Methods – What Are They?

There are three types of teeth whitening methods for people to try:

Professional treatments – These are typically stronger materials that may damage the teeth if used incorrectly. This is why professionals do the whitening.
(DIY) At-Home Treatments – These treatments are great for surface stains, and lighter stains, but they won’t give you the same amount of change as professional treatments.

The outcome of the type of treatment you pick will be decided by these factors:

Type of discoloration – Intrinsic or extrinsic.
The budget you have for your treatment.
What your age is.
Your dental history.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Products

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste work by having materials in the tooth paste that are slightly abrasive, The desired outcome is to polish away any surface stains that may be causing discoloration. Just like regular brushing, don’t brush too often with whitening toothpaste as you may ruin your teeth.

Whitening Mouthwash

Whitening mouthwash whitens teeth with the help of hydrogen peroxide. This method is also meant to be used on surface stains.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips work with hydrogen peroxide as well and are meant to be worn 1-2 times throughout the day. The main drawback to strips is the cost, since they don’t do anything for your dental health, it is purely a cosmetic benefit, whereas, with toothpaste and mouthwash, your teeth are getting cleaned as well.

Professional Whitening Products

Zoom whitening

Zoom whitening is the method that Smiles Dental Group uses. It has to be administered by trained professionals due to the strength of the whitening agent, and the tools required for the procedure. This product consists of a gel that contains a high concentration of whitening agents.

Teeth Whitening Complications

Teeth whitening is generally pretty safe. The main concern would be improper administration of the whitening, or overuse which could damage teeth. Most people experience similar symptoms:

Tooth Sensitivity – Depending on how strong your treatment is you’ll most likely feel varying degrees of sensitivity.
Gum Irritation – The ingredients used in the whitening can have a mild effect on the gums. Dentists do try to prevent the whitening agent from contact with the gums.