Teeth Whitening – Indications, Techniques, and More

Teeth Whitening – Did you dream of a radiant smile underlined by a pronounced white enamel? Current methods and products constantly improve while respecting your teeth, from treatments in professional practice to a home whitening kit, an overview of the techniques that work.

A fundamental promise of seduction and health, having a pretty smile inevitably requires white and well-aligned teeth. However, various factors of a hereditary nature (natural colouring or ageing of the tooth), pathological (taking tetracycline during the period of tooth formation) or even from lifestyle (consumption of coffee, tea, tobacco, etc.) sometimes make yellow or stained teeth.

What is Teeth Whitening?

While the general public most often uses the term teeth whitening, in reality, the actual medical term is “dental whitening”. This simple cosmetic dentistry procedure is used to lighten enamel and dentin discolouration by using a gel-based on hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide ).

No whitening treatment should be carried out in the office or at home without having previously carried out an in-depth oral check-up by a dental surgeon. For example, to verify the absence of contraindications (  untreated cavities, devitalized teeth, weakness enamel,  gingival irritations, etc. as well as effective scaling.

This type of treatment is only suggested when the teeth strongly yellowed. ” The important thing is to preserve the natural colour of the tooth as much as possible so that it matches the entire face .”

Teeth Whitening – In-office treatments at the dentist

There are two: bleaching called “in the chair” and ” outpatient “. Naturally, the dentist is the first place to go. He will make an inventory of the dental condition before considering teeth whitening.

Chairside Whitening

Next, the professional applies the peroxide whitening gel (whose hydrogen peroxide concentration must be limited to 6% maximum) on the surface of the teeth. The first is carried out entirely in one or two sessions in the office. The exposure time can vary between 60 to 90 minutes per session, depending on the initial state of the tooth. In some cases, the dentist may find using a high energy lamp or laser to activate the whitening process. It should remain noted that the treatments performed are painless.

According to the new regulations of the European Commission, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide contained in the whitening gel are now limited to 6% maximum. “The techniques at the dentist in the chair which used much higher concentrations are therefore now much less effective. Consequently, the ambulatory technique proves to be the most effective in terms of result and duration (2-3 years in medium)”.

Ambulatory Whitening

It may be advisable to perform chairside bleaching in some cases before outpatient bleaching.

The treatment begins with impressions of the patient’s teeth to make custom-made gutters and continues using a peroxide gel at home. “Since the concentrations of these products are much lower than in the past, there is complete safety and security for the patient. “.

It simply involves wearing the trays longer, preferably during the day, around 4 hours. ” The product inactivating itself after about 4 hours, it will be quite possible and much more practical for the patient to spend the night with his gutters.”

The total time of use of the gutters for an effective result should extend on average over three weeks. In the event of the declaration of tooth sensitivity due to the wearing of channels, it is imperative to stop the treatment and consult a dentist to avoid damaging the tooth’s nerve.

The dentist can adapt the treatment and recommend reducing the daily wearing time of the device. However, they will have to remain worn for longer than three weeks in compensation.

According to standards, new, less expensive products in gutters pre-loaded with 6% gel are now available in outpatient settings. The treatment can last up to 10 days with an exposure time of 60 to 90 minutes.

Later how long do you see the results?

If some can already see results from the first session, in principle, the results appear after 15 days and are visible on average four years, depending on the patient’s lifestyle (high consumption of cof Ready-to-use whitening kits

More and more oral hygiene brands are developing ready-to-use kits, usable with convincing quality and at a much more affordable price. These whitening kits are available in pharmacies and para pharmacies; these whitening kits also have a  gel-based on hydrogen peroxide but are much less concentrated than in the office. Among the novelties, three types of products:

• Self-adhesive transparent strips: very practical and covered with 6% gel, they perfectly match the shape of the teeth for uniform gel deposition;
• The gel with the brush: it allows an exact application of the product, for selective use on some teeth or parts of teeth for a more localized colouring;
• Disposable gutters: hygienic and single-use are ready to use and do not require prior adaptation. Most of the time, they supplied with individual doses of ingenious and easily transportable gel.

These home bleaching kits only provide satisfactory staining results due to age or dietary habits. In addition, their oxygen peroxide concentration being lower. They are less effective than whitening at the dentist in terms of colour. And duration. Not to mention that they not made by a professional but are much more affordable.

Depending on the model, they can remain used once or twice a day, for 15 to 30 minutes for 14 days. And visible effectiveness for up to 12 months. Please note: the trays may not remain perfectly adapted to the shape of the jaw. And the treatment may then create changes in the gums in some people and directly damage the pulp of the tooth.

Essential contraindications for Teeth Whitening

Some tips for Whiter teeth

In addition to good daily dental hygiene, here are some tips for having a bright smile:

• Perform dental scaling every six months
• Regularly  check the excellent condition of the gums ( annual visit to the dentist )
• Swallow a large glass of water to rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or tea
• Stop smoking or reduce your cigarette consumption as much as you can

Avoid or limit the consumption of foods or drinks that stain teeth: tea, coffee, liquorice. Fee, tobacco, tea or no).