Teeth should be a bright white but unfortunately this is often not the case. Stained teeth occur over time and although this condition does not have any adverse health effects, it creates an unpleasant effect on a person’s smile. A great smile is an asset that everybody wants to have and the presence of yellow or brown teeth can cause people to become insecure about their smile. By obtaining teeth whiteners, a person becomes much more confident in their smile, which will only have positive benefits socially.

Teeth whitening have become one of the most popular procedures performed in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening is a procedure that is designed to reverse the effects of teeth discoloration. Although coffee consumption, tobacco use, tea consumption, antibiotic use, and soda consumption are just some of the activities that can contribute to teeth discoloration, the main reason for teeth discoloration is aging. The best way to reverse the appearance of stained teeth is by undergoing teeth whitening treatment. There are numerous options available for individuals that want to obtain a teeth whitener. The effects of these different teeth whiteners are immediately apparent for the user and teeth whitening systems such as Zoom and Britesmile claim to be able to make a person’s teeth up to nine shades whiter. There are numerous teeth whitener techniques available to individuals such as: chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, abrasive teeth brightening, and laser teeth whitening. All of these techniques have their individual merits and drawbacks. Therefore, if you are interested in obtaining a teeth whitener, you should choose the teeth whitening technique after a careful consultation period with your dentist.

Rather than analyze the different teeth whitening techniques that are available, the general categories of teeth whiteners will be examined. There are essentially three general categories of teeth whitening that the different teeth whitener techniques fall under. These options are: in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching, and whitening toothpastes.

In-office bleaching refers to all teeth whitening procedures that are performed in a dentist’s office. Otherwise known as chair side teeth whitening or one-hour bleaching, in-office bleaching involves the application of a bleaching agent on a patient’s teeth. This bleaching agent contains hydrogen peroxide, which is the key ingredient in this teeth whitener. Under the in-office bleaching procedure, the dentist activates the hydrogen peroxide contained within the bleaching agent with either a light or laser source, depending on the specific teeth whitener technique that the dentist is using. How this works is that once the hydrogen peroxide has been activated, it breaks down into water and a radical (compound constituent). In this state, the radical attaches itself to stain molecules. The stain molecules become weak, which allows oxygen to reach and whiten the tooth enamel.

At-home bleaching is another teeth whitening option that follows similar principles as in-home bleaching. Under this procedure, the patient obtains a peroxide-based bleaching solution from their dentist or pharmacist. Contained in this bleaching kit are carbamide peroxide gel and a mouth guard. Under this treatment, the patient places the peroxide gel into the mouth guard. Considering the numerous at-home bleaching teeth whitener products that are available, the duration and frequency of the treatment will depend on the product.

However, much like in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching products work under the principal of oxidation. In at-home teeth whiteners, the caramide hydrogen breaks down into water and a radical (compound consituent). Once it is in this state, stain molecules are weakened and oxygen is able to reach and whiten the user’s tooth enamel.

The final teeth whitening option that is available is whitening toothpastes. Unlike other teeth whitening systems, whitening toothpastes do not contain peroxides. Rather, they contain polishing agents that are more capable of removing deeper teeth stains than regular toothpastes.

Although everybody wants white teeth and teeth whitening are generally a safe and effective procedure, it should be noted that some individuals are not the best candidates for teeth whitening. For individuals that have tooth-colored fillings, bleaching may have a negative impact on your teeth’s aesthetic appearance. If you are considering teeth whitening, consult a dentist for their assessment.

Teeth can become darker over time as part of the aging process and from stains from coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and foods. Most people can turn back the clock and get the bright smile they once had and probably even brighter!

Bleaching today is safe, quick and affordable! Using the most state of the art bleaching technology, many people achieve the smile that they have always wanted.

ZOOM Bleaching, A protective barrier is placed over your gums and lips. A strong bleaching agent is placed on your teeth and is activated by the ZOOM laser light. In about an hour’s time your teeth will be transformed into a brighter smile.

At-home bleaching is an alternative to ZOOM bleaching. For people with sensitive teeth, this may be the best option. With this technique we custom fit whitening trays and give you an appropriate concentration of bleach to use. These trays and bleach are worn at night during the sleeping hours. In a week or two most people have achieved their brightened smile. Some people who want to get even lighter may continue for a longer period of time.

For people who want the ultimate in whiteness and brightness ‘Deep Bleaching’ is the answer. Deep Bleaching uses a combination of techniques, laser and trays; to create a dynamic smile over a period of two weeks and a few office visits.

All bleaching systems have their limitations. You will come to a point where your teeth will become as white as possible and will not get lighter. It is important to understand that once you have achieved your new smile shade this color must be maintained with ‘touch ups’. An at-home tray and bleach technique must be used once or twice monthly to keep your pearly whites dazzling! Extreme tooth discoloration or deformity may require crowns or veneers to achieve your goals. Existing crowns, bridges, veneers, and fillings will not get lighter with bleaching and may need to be replaced to match the new shade of your natural teeth.