However, teeth whitening also raises many questions. Is bleaching harmful to teeth? Do all whitening products work equally well? And do fillings also color when I whiten my teeth? We would like to give you more clarity about this so that you can decide whether you want to whiten or not.

How does a whitening treatment work?

The active ingredient in teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide. This is processed in a gel that you apply with a syringe in a bit for your teeth. This mouthguard is custom-made at the dentist using dental impressions. Depending on how white you want to get your teeth, such a mouthguard with whitening gel is worn on average 6 hours a day for one to two weeks. Do not continue bleaching for too long because the end result is only visible 6 weeks after bleaching. The teeth may become sensitive during whitening, but this will subside within 24 hours. You can pause the whitening and resume later if it is too sensitive.

As soon as the hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the moisture on your teeth, a reaction starts in which the substances in the hydrogen peroxide collide with the colored molecules of the enamel, breaking them up into smaller, uncolored molecules and whitening the teeth.

Are all whitening products equally good?

Many products are available in shops and online shops claiming to whiten your teeth. However, not everything works equally well, and some products can even be harmful. In many cases, it mainly contains abrasive materials that do clean the teeth but can also damage them. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide can also be too high or too low. By law, only tooth whitening products containing or releasing up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide may be sold outside the dentist. However, this percentage is so low that it has little effect.

Only a dentist may offer treatments with a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide with a maximum percentage of 6%. Higher percentages have a lower pH, which is harmful to tooth enamel. Due to this lower percentage, whitening the teeth takes a little longer, but the treatment is safe, and the whitening result lasts longer.

Is it wise and possible to whiten my teeth in all cases?

First of all, it is important to know that whitening is only allowed in patients who are 18 years or older. Then the teeth are sufficiently developed, and you are better able to make a good decision whether to whiten or not.

You should also take into account that fillings, crowns, implants, and veneers do not whiten. These can often be replaced, but this is sometimes a major intervention and can cost, for example, a filling that is actually still completely good.

In addition, due to the presence of deposits or tartar, the whitening gel cannot reach the teeth properly. If this is the case, you can first have it removed by the prevention assistant or dental hygienist.

Is bleaching harmful to teeth?

Products available through the dentist meet strict requirements so that they are not harmful when used in the prescribed manner. However, the outer part of the glaze is temporarily slightly more porous and less hard immediately after bleaching. This recovers as soon as the enamel comes into contact with saliva. That is why, after you bleach, it is best to wait half an hour before eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth, and it is better not to smoke during the bleaching process and not to eat foods with a lot of dyes.

How long does the result last?

How long your teeth stay white after whitening depends on several factors, such as dietary habits and personal teeth discoloration process. For example, people who smoke a lot, drink red wine, coffee, and tea, or eat foods with a lot of dyes will retain the result for less time. In addition, your enamel becomes thinner over the years due to wear and tear, and the underlying yellow dentine shines through more. That makes it more difficult to keep the teeth white. Furthermore, the whitened teeth, just like non-bleached teeth, will discolor over time due to aging.

We hope that answering these questions will give you more clarity about what is involved in teeth whitening. For affordable teeth whitening in Arlington, VA, visit Virginia dental clinic.