Teeth Whitening: How it Works

Actual information

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that provides a quick, non-invasive, cost-effective way to improve a smile. Whitening (or bleaching) treatments are widely popular among men and women, and options suit every budget, time frame, and temperament. There are numerous options available, including professionally performed one-hour whitening sessions at a dental facility or cosmetic salon, as well as home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore.

Virtually everyone who uses a teeth whitening treatment notices a moderate to significant increase in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, it is not a permanent remedy for discoloration and requires maintenance or "touch-ups" to have a long-lasting effect.

In this post, we will go over everything connected to teeth whitening, including the process of tooth discoloration, what causes staining, the numerous treatment techniques available, and the associated dangers and expenses.

Bleaching vs. Whitening: What’s the Difference?

According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" can only be used when teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This only applies to bleach-containing compounds like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

The term "whitening" refers to removing dirt and debris from the surface of a tooth to restore its color. So, theoretically, any product used to clean teeth (such as toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the phrase whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more commonly used—even when addressing bleach-containing treatments.

When time is of the essence, potent and fast-acting hydrogen peroxide is the preferred bleach for in-office whitening. When bleaching teeth, hydrogen peroxide concentrations range from 9% to 40%.

In contrast, the bleach of choice for at-home teeth whitening is slower-acting carbamide peroxide, which degrades into hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide has approximately one-third the strength of hydrogen peroxide. This means that a 15% solution of carbamide peroxide is roughly equivalent to a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide.

What are Your Whitening Options?

There are three major tooth whitening treatments accessible today. All three use variable peroxide concentrations and application times.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening provides a significant color change in a short period. This approach comprises the carefully regulated application of a relatively high-concentration peroxide gel to the teeth by a dentist or skilled technician after the gums have been protected with a paint-on rubber dam. Typically, the peroxide sits on the teeth for multiple 15 to 20-minute intervals, totaling an hour (at most). Those with especially resistant stains may be recommended to return for one or more repeat bleaching treatments or to continue using a home-use solution.

Cost: $650 per visit (on average) nationwide.

Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Kits

Many dentists believe professionally distributed take-home whitening kits provide the best long-term outcomes. Take-home kits include an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel that stays on the teeth for an hour or more (sometimes overnight). The lower the peroxide content, the longer it can safely stay on the teeth. The gel is administered to the teeth with custom-made whitening trays that resemble mouthguards.

Cost: $100 to $400.

Over-the-Counter Products

Over-the-counter bleaching is the most affordable and easy method for teeth whitening. It entails using a store-bought whitening kit that includes a bleaching gel with a lower concentration than professionally delivered take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth using one-size-fits-all trays, strips, or paint-on applicators. In many circumstances, this may only whiten a few front teeth instead of bespoke trays, which can whiten the complete smile.

Cost: $20 to $100.

How White Can You Go? A Matter of Esthetics

Results are subjective and vary greatly from person to person. Many people are immediately pleased with their results, while others may be disappointed. Before you begin any whitening treatment, ask your dentist for a realistic estimate of the results you may expect and how long it will take to accomplish them. If you have no dentist, you may try to find one by googling “teeth whitening dentist near me.”