Teeth whitening procedures are performed to brighten the colour of the teeth and clean them internally. Teeth whitening procedures are generally performed in a clinic under supervision. The procedure involve the use of a bleaching agent like peroxide. The procedure takes a few hours to complete.

Many types of teeth whitening procedures are available nowadays and the patient can choose one according to his or her requirements.

In-office teeth whitening

The procedure begins with a thorough examination of the teeth and mouth. This is done to ensure the teeth aren’t damaged and there is no underlying dirt and germs. Also, it is necessary to ensure that the teeth are strong enough and will be able to tolerate the laser light used in the whitening procedure. If microbial growth like bacterial accumulation is found, the patient is recommended to first clean their teeth and then proceed to receive a procedure.

The main procedure involves the application of a whitening solution that contains bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide. However, the concentration of the bleaching agent is different for every whitening solution for each patient. It depends on the severity of staining and discoloration. The solution is left on the surface of teeth for a few minutes and then activated with the help of specialized laser light. The teeth are closely observed during this process. The teeth begin to lighten in colour due to the laser. As soon as the desired shade is achieved, the laser light is removed and the procedure is completed.

This procedure primarily involves the removal of stains like food and beverage stains, tobacco stains, and stains caused due to trauma or injury to the teeth. Sometimes teeth also stain and show discoloration due to aging and time. Such stains can also be removed with the help of in-office teeth whitening procedures.

This procedure ends within a span of an hour and shows immediate results. The results can also be long-lasting if the patient takes proper care of the teeth. This procedure is carried out by professionals only and chances of teeth sensitivity are reduced during such procedures because appropriate tools and chemicals are used.

However, this procedure is more expensive than over the counter teeth whitening kits.

Teeth whitening toothpastes

Teeth whitening toothpastes are generally available in the market and are recommended by dentists of all kinds for efficient and convenient teeth bleaching. They generally contain abrasives and bleaching agents like calcium carbonate, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, etc. They are added to the toothpastes in an adequate quantity that is unlikely to harm teeth in any way.

Dental stains caused due to excessive smoking, drinking alcohol, regular coffee consumption, etc. can be removed with the help of such toothpastes. If the patient observes extremely dark stains on the teeth, he or she should look for a toothpaste containing high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Blue covarine is also a component that can be used for an instant whitening effect. It provides the teeth with a clean white layer as the yellow discoloration is immediately scrubbed away. However, if the stains are too stubborn and discoloration is severe, patients may be recommended to opt for a teeth whitening procedure instead of whitening toothpastes.

The procedure for using such toothpastes is simple, patients are recommended to gently brush the teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day with gentle circular motions covering the hidden areas of the teeth such as gaps, back of the teeth, and the upper edge of the teeth. The patient has to continue using the product for at least 7 weeks to see effective results. The results can also be prolonged if the patient is able to take care of the teeth properly and regularly uses the whitening toothpaste.

There are many upsides to using teeth whitening toothpastes. The toothpastes being very convenient can be used daily to improve the appearance of teeth. Along with whitening, these toothpastes also maintain the teeth’ enamel and make the teeth strong. Another pro of using teeth whitening toothpastes is the heightened sense of self-esteem observed in patients observed due to a brighter, whiter smile.

A major con of using teeth whitening toothpastes is that the results are temporary and can quickly fade away if the patient does not take proper care of the teeth. Also, the patient can experience teeth sensitivity if the abrasives in the toothpastes are too harsh.

Teeth whitening strips

Teeth whitening strips are a popular choice of teeth bleaching among people across the globe. These are thin plastic strips containing hydrogen peroxide that are applied directly over the surface of the teeth and removed after a few minutes. These whitening strips are extremely useful and provide almost instant results. They are also said to be more effective than teeth whitening toothpastes. However, the whitening strips provided at the market may contain a lesser concentration of bleaching agents and hence may not work on heavily stained teeth. For such teeth, the patient should refer to a dentist and ask for specialized whitening strips provided at the clinic to combat heavy discoloration.

The action of the strips depends on the concentration of the bleaching agent and the duration of application. During buying these strips the patient should pay attention to the ingredients and look for peroxides as they are effective bleaching agents. Also, it is recommended to ask the dentist once before using the strips as certain over-the-counter teeth whitening strips can damage the teeth if unsuitable ingredients are present, while some strips are simply ineffective due to heavy staining of teeth.

The major pros of using these whitening strips are that they are very convenient and patients can use them on the go. They provide instant effect within a few minutes and can provide efficient results for a short period of time. Also, they are very inexpensive and can be used by patients of all age groups. Teeth sensitivity is expected if the patient has damaged teeth.