Teeth Whitening Barrie
Teeth Whitening vs. Bleaching
Whitening refers to the process of restoring the color of a tooth’s surface by removing any dirt or debris. In essence, any products that clean are referred to as a whiteners (such as toothpaste). However, because whitening naturally sounds better, and so the term is often also used when describing products that would fall under the bleaching category.
The tooth’s surface is comprised of microscopic crystalline rods called tooth enamel (the porcelain-like surface of the tooth) and its primary purpose is to preserve the teeth from the damage of chewing, trauma and acids found in sugar etc. But as we age, so does our enamel. As it begins to wear down, it becomes more transparent and allows the dentin (the material that makes up the core of the tooth, which is yellow in color) to become more visible. As we chew our food, millions of tiny cracks form in the enamel which, along with the space created between the crystalline enamel rods, slowly fill up with debris and stains which cause the tooth to dull in color and stain. When teeth are whitened, the debris and stains are removed from the teeth exposing the enamel cracks, many of which are then mineralized once again by saliva and the remaining of which are filled with organic debris.
Tooth Discoloration:
There are two types of stains we need to examine that are found in teeth. These are known as extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains refer to discolorations on the tooth’s surface resulting from heavily colored beverages, tobacco, foods, and wear and tear. These stains are typically less stubborn and may be removed by brushing and regular dental cleanings. The more stubborn stains in this category may be removed by bleaching the teeth. You should keep in mind that although extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the tooth, if not treated early enough they can actually penetrate the enamel and become ingrained in the dentin. Intrinsic stains are formed within the tooth interior as a result of trauma, age, mineral exposure such as tetracycline during the formation of the tooth, and/or large levels of fluoride ingestion. With today’s technology even some of the deeper intrinsic stains may be removed at home with professional take-home teeth whitening kits provided by your dentist if maintained within a couple of months to a year.
Causes of Tooth Staining
One of the main factors affecting tooth staining is the color of the teeth you are born with. This color can either be a greenish gray or a yellowish brown which can become more prominent with time. The greenish gray color is usually less responsive to whitening that the yellowish brown.
Just as mentioned before, age is also a contributing element to staining. Stains accumulate over time as the enamel is worn down. Teenagers typically experience the most dramatic results in the least amount of sessions. As patients grow into their twenties they may find that the whitening process will require more effort if they have begun to reveal a yellow shadow of color. By the forties and fifties, the yellowish color begins to appear more brown as the teeth will already have absorbed several deep-set stains which will be more difficult and stubborn to remove, but will come out nonetheless.
Eating habits play a major role as darker colored beverages and foods such as coffee, red wine, tea, soda, carrots and even oranges cause substantial staining over time. The more acidic of which are the citrus fruits and foods containing vinegar which wear away at the tooth’s enamel making it more transparent and allowing the darker colored dentin to be more visible.
Translucency in teeth is also genetic which has become more noticeable with age. All teeth are somewhat translucent; however those which are thick and opaque generally bear lighter coloration and respond better to bleaching. Thinner teeth that are more transparent lack some pigment necessary for whitening. Transparency alone is the issue that is so far unable to be repaired by whitening.
The nicotine in cigarettes leaves behind dark deposits ranging in color from brown to black which are slowly absorbed into the tooth’s enamel causing intrinsic staining among other health hazards. If you are a smoker, cut the habit and take back not only your health but your smile and oral hygiene as well. Tetracycline when used during the formation of teeth creates brown or dark grey elongated stains which are troublesome to remove. Fluoride that is overly consumed will cause fluorosis and can be the source of white blotches than are sometimes seen on teeth.
Patients who grind their teeth can cause the tiny cracks to increase and worsen. Grinding also may cause the bite edges of the teeth to darken. Other causes for increasing and enlarging cracks in teeth are injuries such as falls causing trauma to the teeth. The more cracks there are in the enamel the more stains are enabled to reach the dentin. Likewise the larger the cracks are, the larger the stains are.
In-Office Teeth Whitening:
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of in office whitening is its ability to significantly change the color of your teeth within a short time period. Your dentist will use a carefully controlled peroxide gel of the proper and safe concentration on your smile while protecting your gums at the same time. The whitening procedure takes place typically in 15 minute intervals with a maximum of four intervals per session. Patients with more persistent stains may return for another session after two weeks or can continue the effects with a take home kit provided by the office. The general cost of tooth whitening is about $650 but of course this price may vary according to your dentist.
In-Office Zoom Whitening
Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking.
Zoom Whitening can get your smile looking its best. Non-professional procedures and clinically unproven teeth whitening tips can often lead to unsatisfactory results, you should look for a whitening procedure that is:
Take a first step in feeling good and looking great with brighter, whiter teeth in less than an hour. Zoom teeth whitening is safe, effective and very fast, and performed only by a dental professional.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits:
Professional take home whitening kits available at your dental office are simple to use and contain a lower concentration of the peroxide gel which is used to bleach your teeth. These trays may safely be kept on the teeth for up to 60 minutes or even overnight. This is because the lower the concentration of the peroxide gel the longer is it able to remain safely on the teeth. The cost of the whitening kits can range from $100 to $400 and is comprised of customized trays similar to mouth guards and the peroxide gel.
Risks Involved with Teeth Whitening:
The teeth bleaching procedure can leave your teeth temporarily sensitive to touch, pressure and temperature. Some patients experience slight shooting pains in the front teeth due to the higher concentration bleach used in office procedures. This sensitivity is most likely to occur in patients who have gum recession and larger cracks in their enamel. Typically the sensitivity lasts only a few days but some patients may experience a prolonged period for up to a month. In these cases, dentists often recommend using toothpaste with potassium nitrate to help ease the discomfort. 50 percent of patients receiving treatment with peroxide whiteners will experience gum irritation either from the bleach concentration itself or from the whitening trays. This will last a couple days until the bleaching has fully stopped and the peroxide concentration is lowered. As mentioned before, bonding restorations, veneers, crowns etc. remain unaffected by bleach while the color of the natural teeth will change. This factor should be discussed with your dentist as to whether your case will require replacing those restorations for a more consistent and ideal smile.
Maintenance of White Teeth:
Patients can help to maintain their smile after whitening by performing an at-home whitening kit provided by your dentist at least once a year. The darker colored food and beverages discussed earlier should be avoided to prevent further staining. Or patients can simply use a straw while drinking staining beverages such as tea, coffee and soda. Of course proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing after meals and before bed) that is regularly practiced will not only help to maintain your smiles appearance, but your oral health as well.
Considerations:
It is important to understand that bleaching cannot produce teeth that are unnatural in appearance in any amount. The full results of the bleaching can be seen after about two weeks after treatment. So patients planning on having veneers or other such restorations must wait out this period to ensure that the color matches the teeth after the whitening process. In addition any tooth restorations previously performed will likely need replacement as they will not whiten with the bleaching process. The yellowish color of the root surface is revealed in patients with gum recession and is troublesome to bleach. Whitening is not advised for women who are pregnant or nursing as the consequences of swallowing bleach on the fetus is still unknown.
