In the event that the teeth have an undesirable appearance as a result of discoloration by yellowing or darkening for various reasons in daily life, the application of teeth whitening comes to mind. Applications that are performed in order to achieve an aesthetically beautiful and healthy appearance of the teeth and that bring the tooth color closer to white are accepted within teeth whitening. For this purpose, there are techniques that can be applied professionally in dental clinics, as well as methods that can be applied at home, such as whitening toothpastes and various chemical products available in the markets. Since the method of application, effectiveness and dental health effects of each method are different, the method recommended for each patient may differ.
Why do teeth turn yellow?
Teeth tend to lose their natural color in two ways. These processes can be summarized as follows:
External Discoloration: Yellowing or darkening of the tooth color can be seen over time due to chemicals that affect the tooth surface from the outside such as coffee, tea, food dyes, smoking. Therefore, techniques targeting the tooth surface are more effective for teeth with external discoloration.
Intrinsic Discoloration: These are color changes due to health problems that cause damage or loss of function in the tissues inside the tooth. They are usually seen in childhood, which covers the growth and development period of the tooth, with febrile illness, drug use, trauma to the tooth, infections, caries or aging. This type of discoloration requires professional techniques.
What are the Options in Teeth Whitening?
When whitening teeth, it is very useful for patients to consult with their dentist to determine the most ideal and effective method for their teeth. Those who want to whiten their teeth can choose from a wide range of options for teeth whitening, from simple methods that can be applied at home to professional techniques applied by a dentist.
In determining which techniques will be applied to whom; the type, severity and prevalence of the discoloration of the teeth, the cost of the treatment and the patient’s age, underlying diseases, previous treatments applied to the teeth, such as situations that affect the applicability to the patient are important. It should be kept in mind that the teeth whitening process may take a long time for some people and that the desired whiteness can be achieved gradually with the coordinated application of more than one technique. It is very important to utilize professional techniques, especially in patients with receding gums, deterioration in tooth structure or damage to oral structures.
Professional Teeth Whitening Techniques
Bleaching: Carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is used in this procedure performed by the dentist. Thanks to this process, whitening is achieved in teeth that have undergone discoloration due to intrinsic reasons. Very fast and effective results can be obtained under clinical conditions.
Tray Application: Teeth can be whitened at home with the application of dental appliances coated with a gel containing the substances used in teeth whitening and prepared individually by wearing them for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Teeth Whitening Techniques that can be Applied at Home
Tooth Whitening Pastes: Especially against externally caused discoloration, the use of pastes containing abrasive particles on the tooth surface can give fast and effective results. However, in long-term use, different dental problems may occur due to the wear of tooth enamel.
Whitening Strips: These are strips that can whiten teeth by applying them to the tooth surface once or twice a day for a certain period of time. These strips contain a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide and work in a similar way to professional techniques.
What are the Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?
Depending on the technique used in teeth whitening, different levels of damage to the tooth structure may develop and various dental health problems may occur as a result. Some of the complications that can be seen in patients during teeth whitening treatment are as follows:
Tooth Sensitivity: Especially after the first or second session of teeth whitening treatment, widespread tooth sensitivity may be felt. The patient may experience difficulty in consuming cold or hot food, feeding or breathing through the mouth. In the later stages of treatment, tooth sensitivity loses its severity.
Sensitivity in the Gums: As a result of intense contact of bleaching products with the gums, sensitivity may develop due to irritation of the gums.
Incompatibility with Other Dental Treatments: The white tones of dentures, implants or fillings used by patients for different reasons may not be the same as the tone obtained as a result of whitening. In this sense, it may be necessary to apply more than one session or change the related treatments with the dentist, aiming to provide whitening evenly and aesthetically.
The white appearance obtained as a result of teeth whitening procedures is not permanent. In order to maintain the color obtained with teeth whitening, it is necessary to repeat both the procedures applied at home and the applications made by the dentist at regular intervals. Apart from repeating the procedures, it is also recommended to pay attention to lifestyle and to avoid the consumption of products such as tea, coffee and cigarettes that can cause discoloration.