Q- What Is teeth whitening?
A - Teeth whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of tooth enamel and dentine.
Q- What teeth whitening choices are there if I am interested in whitening my teeth?
A - Chair-side whitening, which involves getting your teeth bleached In usually a single dental visit at a dentist office. The dentist uses a very strong whitening gel In combination with a light. The light activates the peroxide-based gel when applied to the teeth to assist with the whitening process. The light does NOT whiten teeth, It simply activates the whitening gel and initiates the chemical reaction that produces the whitening effect. The procedure takes about an hour and produces Immediate results, although it make take more than one session to achieve the desired level of bleaching.
The at-home whitening tray method requires a fitted mouth tray to hold the whitening gel against the teeth either overnight or hourly depending on the strength of the whitening gel. The process takes about 12-14 days.
Q- Is bleaching safe or does it damage the tooth?
A- To our knowledge nothing detrimental has been documented and microscopic research shows no changes to the tooth surface. With over a decade of accumulated data to support its position, the American Dental Association (ADA) has come to the conclusion that teeth whitening products with hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are safe.
Q- How long will it take for teeth to become their whitest?
A - Results vary. When wearing the trays at home, Carbamide Peroxide is slowly broken down to Hydrogen Peroxide which whitens the teeth. The 16% gel whitens more slowly but causes less tooth sensitivity. The 22% gel whitens quickly but can cause temporary sensitivity to temperatures. Both the l6% and 22% gels need to be worn for about 10-14 days to achieve maximum whiteness.
When whitening your teeth at the dentist office, chairside with a gel activated light system, the teeth will whiten In about an hour. The more yellow versus gray color a person has In their teeth the better the bleaching, Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach and can take a few months to achieve minor results. Virtually everyone who whitens their teeth will see improvement.
Q- How long will the whitening results last?
A - If the discoloration is due to over-consumption of tea, coffee, wine or tobacco products etc. - and a person does not change their behavior, then it is likely that the whitening effect will not last as long. Additionally, teeth may require touch-ups from time to time, Generally speaking most one hour in office whitening should last anywhere from 5 - 6 months.
Q- What are the side effects of tooth whitening?
A - AlI bleaching gels cause some degree of tooth sensitivity. This is sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air. This is normal and an expected side- effect. Some of the brands of bleaching gel contain desensitizing agents which claim to alleviate post bleaching sensitivity. If sensitivity persists we recommend to discontinue use for a few days and the sensitivity will dissipate within 24-48 hrs. If you experience extreme sensitivity after the chairside one hour- in-office teeth whitening procedure, we recommend you talk to your dentist who will most likely prescribe a pain reliever.
Q- Will whitening gel whiten my veneers, caps (crowns) and bonding?
A - All bleaching agents used to whiten teeth- will only work on natural tooth structure:, This means that all dental work including but not limited to bonding, veneers, crowns (caps) and bridges will NOT bleach or whiten All dental work would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth, so keep this in mind.
Q- Which bleaching gel works the best i.e. faster?
A - The active ingredient Is the same with most bleaching brands. BriteSmile, Zoom & Dash, In-Office One hour light activated whitening gels are stronger because the % of peroxide is higher, Which works a little faster. Please- keep in mind that some teeth are more difficult to bleach- than: others no matter what bleaching agent you use. The older you are and -the more gray your teeth are, the more difficult It is to bleach. Some teeth will achieve only minor whitening improvement no matter what product you use.
Q,- Why do some teeth whiten unevenly?
A - Simply due to the thickness of your enamel or to calcium deposits, The whitening- gel is able to penetrate and whiten the enamel quicker on thinner surfaces, This most often occurs an the tips: of the teeth where the enamel is thinner due to use. Occasionally, small round white spots occur due to poor calcium deposits They will be more pronounced (whiter) during the whitening process-due to the dehydration effects of the glycol base- but will disappear within days: of esing treatment. in some instances white spots will remain whiter and an even shade In the: tooth may never be achieved,
Q- Can I whiten my teeth while I’m pregnant?
A - There has not been sufficient testing done on the effects of using a peroxide gel while pregnant. Therefore, we recommend that you not use any whitening- system, even though peroxide-is found in the breast milk of lactating mothers,
Q - What is the difference between carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel?
A- Hydrogen peroxide is a stronger, faster bleaching agent than carbamide peroxide, that’s why It’s usually recommended for use only by dentists, Carbamide Peroxide is a lower-dosage formulation of hydrogen peroxide that’s safe for at-home use - or for use over a- longer period of time, like with whitening kits that- feature mouth trays. Carbamide peroxide breaks down: to about one third hydrogen peroxide, so an 18% carbamide peroxide solution have the same effect as a 6% hydrogen peroxide. solution.
Q- What method of teeth whitening is best for me?
A- This depends entirely on your teeth condition, your budget, the results you want and the time you are willing to spend for teeth whitening. It also depends on the reason you want to whiten your teeth. If your intention Is to make your teeth as stain-free and shiny as possible, or If you are 45 years of age or older, then you may want to choose dentist-administered one hour In-office teeth whitening methods, such as Britesmile, Zoom and Dash.
If your staining is not severe and a more modest whitening effect is desired, then at-home whitening products are a good solution (depending on your overall oral health). If you want great looking teeth for a special occasion - like a wedding or class reunion - consider a faster method, like light activated one hour In-office whitening treatment. Remember, though, a dentist Is your very best guide to selecting the proper teeth whitening method for your particular needs.
Q- How long should 1 refrain from coffee and red wine after bleaching?
A- It is recommended to avoid such during whitening and for 24-48 hours after teeth whitening. We, at Morrell Dental however, do not recommend changing your lifestyle. If you feel that your teeth have yellowed over time, it is okay to do touch-up bleaching at home once a week for about one hour, or you may consider one hour in-office teeth whitening system every 4-6 months as needed.
Q - I have tetracycline (grayish) stained teeth and want to whiten my teeth!
A- Tetracycline is difficult to whiten, Results vary and results, if any are not guaranteed. If you have bleached your teeth with another bleaching agent, the results will most likely not show much improvement with another brand. Bleaching tetracycline teeth can sometimes cause uneven whitening, horizontal tetracycline lines to become more prominent and even blotchiness. Some cases lighten evenly and customers are pleased with the results. Accepting any bleaching product for use, is accepting all the possible risks that could arise from tooth bleaching products.
Q- My kids have white “spotty” teeth. Will whitening help?
A- White spots commonly come from too much fluoride during tooth development. This condition is known as Fluorosis. White spots can also occur after orthodontic treatment In the area of the orthodontic brackets, This Is decalcification as a result of inadequate hygiene and In these situations, these areas are more susceptible to cavities.
There has been no research conducted on bleaching and kids. There have been a few cases reported In the literature with no adverse effects besides temporary tooth sensitivity. We recommend to wait until all the teeth have FULLY erupted otherwise the un-erupted tooth portion will not be bleached. White spots will initially get whiter quicker, but becomes less prominent as the surrounding tooth structure bleaches and becomes whiter. The white spots will usually return to their normal whitish color but will be less conspicuous as the background is now whiter. Results vary and one cannot guarantee a result.
Q- During whitening my gums were burning, leaving several areas of my gums white. Is this due to overfilling?
A- Either your trays are covering the gum area or you overfilled the trays, All you need is either to place a small droplet In each tooth or a bleach line midway across the inner outer wail of the tray. The gurus will return to normal in a few hrs I.e. the whiteness will disappear. Avoid any further bleaching until healed. Avoid hot and spicy foods until then. Next time use less and use for 15 minutes and then Increase the time on subsequent bleaching periods.
Q- How old do I have to be to whiten my teeth?
A- When it comes to teeth whitening, age comes before beauty. We strongly recommend no one under the age of 16 should whiten their teeth because teeth are still developing and the pulp chamber or nerve of the tooth is enlarge until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive.
Q- Why should I consider having a whiter smile?
A - It’s quite simple. Your teeth need care and attention like any other part of your body. Over a period of time, teeth can become dull and yellow due to constant wear and staining. Brushing your teeth will help to keep them healthy and clean, but it won’t necessarily keep them white and shiny. Also studies show that whiter, brighter teeth tend to enhance our self-esteem and confidence - and frequently make us look younger than people who don’t whiten their teeth.
Q - How much does professional teeth whitening cost?
A-There is no complete answer to this question because the cost varies from state to state, dentist to dentist and from procedure to procedure. Generally speaking in the Treasure Valley, One Hour In- Office Professional teeth Whitening systems cost anywhere from a $175 - $500.
Q- What are the benefits of BriteSmile whitening pen?
A - Teeth whitening pens are very effective as they do not only contain high quality teeth whitening gel but they are also really convenient and their shape gives you the opportunity to whiten your teeth any time no matter whether you are working or watching TV at home. If you are one of the many people who really want a dazzling smile without any effort, a teeth whitening pen is right for you, BriteSmile teeth whitening pens contain 5.25% hydrogen peroxide gel. A single whitening pen lasts for approximately 15 days of whitening applications.
Q- Do whitening toothpaste actually whitens teeth?
A - Whitening toothpaste can whiten teeth slightly by removing surface stains, such as those caused by drinking coffee or smoking. Whitening toothpaste can also be used after a bleaching treatment to help maintain results. However, whitening toothpaste can’t change the natural color of teeth or reverse discoloration caused by excessive exposure to fluoride during tooth development, penetrating surface stains or decay Breath Rx purifying toothpaste goes beyond your everyday toothpaste to deliver a clean mint flavor, tartar control, enhanced whitening action combined with all the benefits of Fluoride. Breath Rx enhanced formula can neutralize odors for a clean, long-lasting fresh breath. Breath Rx whitening toothpaste is available for purchase at our Smile Shop.
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