Teeth whitening is one of the most preferred treatments in recent years because people with good oral health want to look aesthetically beautiful also.

Within the scope of teeth whitening, it is possible to get rid of the color changes that occur in the tooth enamel or the yellowing that occurs over time due to the consumption of cigarettes, tea, coffee, with the help of tooth whitening gels under the supervision of a dentist.

It is important for everyone to have a healthy mouth and beautiful white teeth when communicating with people in a community. Blackened and neglected teeth with deformations can negatively affect the social life of the person. Although carbonated teeth whitening at home, special toothpaste and similar methods provide a certain amount of whitening, it is possible to have healthier and whiter teeth safely with "bleaching", which is a professional teeth whitening process.

Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

Some structural disorders that occur during the formation of teeth in childhood or adolescence, antibiotics used by mothers before birth, consumption of some harmful foods and beverages in daily life can cause discoloration in the teeth. In general, the color change in the teeth is examined under two headings.

1) Internal discoloration: These are the stains that have reached the inner part of the tooth and cannot be removed despite brushing. Disorders that occur when teeth are newly erupted are also included in this title. Teeth whitening is very successful on such patients.

2) External discoloration: Discoloration under this heading is caused by beverages and foods such as tea, coffee, cola on the tooth surface. It is usually possible to avoid these stains with dental plate treatment. The dentist should decide what type of discoloration the patient's teeth have and the treatment should be applied accordingly.

Teeth Whitening Methods

1) Tooth whitening at home (Home Bleaching): The dentist applies the whitening process by placing a gel inside the mouthpiece specially prepared with the measurement taken from the patient's mouth. With this application, the desired level of whiteness is reached in about a week. However, this plastic mouthpiece may need to be worn for an average of 5-10 hours, depending on the gel applied during the day.

2) In-Office Whitening: With the "Power Bleaching" method consisting of whitening gel and a special dental light for an average of 1 hour in the clinical environment of the dentist, the patients' tooth color can reach a level that meets their expectations by lightening 4-5 shades in a very short time. For this reason, Power Bleaching is known as the fastest, most reliable and most effective whitening procedure.

However, some home kits do not contain enough bleach to be as effective as desired. Also, if a dentist is not doing the whitening, the supplied mouthpiece may not fit properly, so some of the bleaching gel may seep into the person's gums and mouth, causing sensitivity.

Teeth whitening in beauty salons, relying on untrained staff or by a staff with no dental qualifications, can put a person's oral health at significant risk.

Side Effecs of Teeth Whitening

All teeth whitening gels cause a certain degree of sensitivity in the teeth. This sensitivity to cold-hot drinks and air can cause discomfort to patients. This is actually a natural and known side effect of this application. If the sensitivity does not pass within two days, the use of tooth whitener may need to be interrupted. In this case, the fluoride that the dentist will apply and the toothpaste that she/he recommends can help reduce the feeling. Another way to reduce sensitivity is to use toothpastes containing potassium nitrate.

In addition, looking at the results of the studies, it is possible to say that there is no threat related to the use of the bleaching solution used in this process. There is no research or study yet that shows or proves the opposite. When different drugs are used together, it is absolutely necessary to consult a dentist.

How Long Does the Effect of Teeth Whitening Last?

The result obtained from the whitening process varies depending on the tooth structure of the person and the effects are seen between 8 months and 2 years on average. Of course, the prolongation or shortening of this period also depends on the patients themselves. It is necessary to stay away from substances that stain the teeth during and for a few weeks after the treatment.

Those who are not satisfied with the color of their teeth and want to have teeth whitening treatment can apply to the dentist immediately. After the examination, if the person's teeth are deemed suitable for whitening, the treatment can be started as soon as possible.