There are many teeth whitening products that claim to help whiten teeth, however they are not all the same. In fact, some can damage teeth as they can be abrasive and cause the outer layer of teeth (enamel) to wear away, exposing the dentine which increases the risk of permanent sensitivity and gives teeth a yellow appearance. Read our blog The truth about Charcoal toothpaste to look at one of these products in more detail.
Types of stains
It is important to understand the type of stain that is affecting your teeth before you try to fix it.
Extrinsic – these are surface stains, usually caused by types of food we eat such as coffee, tea, wine, smoking and tartar build up etc. These stains are usually easy to remove at your dental hygiene appointment. You can also reduce the amount of this type of staining with having good oral hygiene regime at home, reducing stain causing food, and maintaining regular dental hygiene visits.
Intrinsic – these stains are within the tooth, below the surface. As we age, our teeth become more yellow/grey due to general wear and tear. Trauma to teeth can also discolour teeth. In these cases, professional whitening products that target intrinsic stains can help whiten teeth.
Types of professional teeth whitening products
Take home bleaching – Professional take home whitening is one of the most cost effective ways to whiten teeth. The process involves taking impressions of the upper and lower teeth in order to make the custom trays that you will use at home with your professional-grade dental whitening gel (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). At North Sydney Dental Practice, we offer a take home whitening kit with 10% and 20% carbamide peroxide gel.
In-chair whitening – in-chair whitening usually involves the application of high concentration hydrogen peroxide under a UV light that helps to speed up the whitening process. This procedure can make teeth very sensitive and most of the time, take home whitening is still needed as a follow up application at home. In chair whitening is also more effective on teeth with a yellow shade rather than a grey shade. Hence not everyone is suitable.
Internal bleaching – this type of bleaching is usually for teeth that have previously been root canal treated and have discoloured overtime. Bleaching material is placed into the tooth and the individual tooth is whitened from within. More than one treatment may be necessary to reach the desired colour.
If you are interested in whitening your teeth for a brighter smile, call us today to arrange an appointment to explore best suitable option for you.
