We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
Over whitening or having teeth whitening procedures performed too often can damage teeth. Bleaching can result in tooth sensitivity that is commonly temporary but could become permanent.
Teeth are thought to become more sensitive after whitening because the whitener weakens the teeth slightly, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside.
For long-lasting results, experts recommend a whitening treatment in your dentist's office, followed by monthly over-the-counter treatments for maintenance. But this may not be right for everyone. SOURCES: American Dental Association: "Tooth Whitening,"“ "Natural Teeth Whitening,” "Oil pulling."
Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.
The results of professional in-office whitening are significantly better than the degree of whitening you can achieve at home with over-the-counter products. The whitening agent I use is more concentrated than commercial whitening agents. As a result, it lightens your teeth by about eight shades in one hour.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
Although enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. Once damaged, it cannot regenerate, making it crucial to choose safe whitening options.
If you are younger than 16, you are not a candidate for teeth whitening. This is because the pulp chamber in young teeth is larger than that of an adult, and whitening treatments could cause irritation. If you are pregnant or lactating, teeth whitening is not recommended.
Home-based bleaching (following manufacturer's instructions) results in less tooth sensitivity than in-office bleaching. The optimal regimen to obtain persistence of tooth whitening is to follow an in-office treatment with monthly home-based touch-up treatments using OTC products.
One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration.
If used incorrectly or too frequently, this product may cause damage to your gums and teeth. And because of the one-size-fits-all design of these strips, it's impossible to get a perfect seal and even distribution of the whitening gel on the teeth.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Most People Can Whiten Their Teeth Once a Year
Dentists monitor the risks and only recommend whitening to eligible candidates. Most people can get a full bleaching system every 12-18 months with touch-ups throughout the year.
Now, the big concern: do teeth go back to their original colour after whitening? The answer is that they can, but not immediately and only sometimes wholly. Gradual Fading: Over time, the whitening effects can fade.
Remineralize Enamel with Fluoride-Based Toothpaste or Mouthwash. Regularly brush with toothpaste containing fluoride. One of the minerals that make up the enamel is fluoride. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste applies this mineral directly to the surfaces of the teeth to assist in mineralizing the enamel.
Although teeth whitening is not permanent, it can last for many years. In-office whitening treatments typically last up to 3 years; professional at-home whitening treatment is less long lasting, but it results in much longer-term results than over-the-counter whitening treatments, toothpastes, and whitening strips.
Professional in-office whitening treatments use much stronger levels of bleaching agents than at-home or over-the-counter whitening products. That does make it more expensive, but it means that you can achieve much more dramatic results from your whitening. Faster results.
Yes, people do notice white teeth, as they often have the effect of drawing attention and projecting a positive, healthy image. A beautiful smile with white teeth is a desirable physical trait and can greatly enhance one's overall attractiveness.
Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening
This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.