Hampaiden valkaisu (eng)

The whitening of the teeth is one of the most popular cosmetic dental service. This is a procedure that will help to make people teeth whiter, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth and enhances the patient’s self-confidence and satisfaction with oneself.

 Causes of teeth discoloration

It is important to understand the causes of teeth discoloration before whitening. In collaboration with the patient the doctor is trying to find out the causes of the teeth discoloration and informs the patient of effects of his habits. It is also important to acknowledge that people’s natural tooth colour can already be quite different. Thereby, it is still possible point out the main reasons that cause teeth discoloration:

• Eating habits. Coffee, tea and red wine contain a lot of tannins and can discolor teeth.
• This is a common problem, why teeth become yellowish.
• For example, antibiotics that are consumed at a young age can change the colour of your teeth.
• It is natural that teeth change its colour with time.
• People’s natural tooth colour might be different.
• Fluoride in drinking water. This may cause such a massive change in the colour of the teeth, which do not obey to teeth whitening procedure.
• Deposition of dental plaque.
• Trauma and root canal treatment.
• Insufficient oral hygiene

Important to know before whitening

It is important to consult with a dentist before teeth whitening. The dentist will explain the situation of the teeth and the best procedure of teeth whitening. Before the teeth whitening the patient should be aware that:

• It is possible to whiten only your own, alive teeth.
• Patient have to pay attention to the teeth with the fillings, crowns or veneers. In order to achieve the best results, it is necessary to replace old fillings, crowns and veneers to have teeth with the same colour.
• The dentine under the teeth enamel determines tooth colour. Whiten the enamel also whitens dentine through the superficial layer and this gives the whitening effect.
• The results of whitening are individual and the outcome is difficult to predict.
• Yellow teeth is the easiest to whiten, the brown teeth are bit more difficult to whiten and grayish teeth are almost impossible to whiten.
• Before whitening the tooth decay should be treated and teeth surfaces should be clean.
• After whitening the teeth may become sensitive, but normally it will pass within a few days.

Finding the suitable teeth whitening procedure

Teeth whitening is a process where it is important to have cooperation between patient and the dentist. The ideal solution is to have dental consultation first, which identifies the patient’s dental condition, expectations and opportunities. Then, the doctor recommends the patient the right solutions – whether whitening at home or teeth whitening at dentist’s office.

Teeth whitening procedure at home

 One way is to whiten the teeth at home. In that case first it is necessary to visit dentist’s office to make personal caps of the teeth. During the visit, the doctor will explain the proper use of caps and gives advice when to stop using them. Teeth caps are a soft transparent plastic forms where the whitening gel is applied. Then the caps with the gel are placed to the teeth for a night. After using the caps it is needed to wash the mouth and teeth.

The caps are convenient on the one hand, but at the same time there are number of threats. It is forbidden to eat or smoke during using them. It is allowed to use them two or three times a week. Caps might also cause teeth and gum sensitivity and the over use of the gel might irritate the tongue, throat and stomach if swallowed. Also the patient might lost the sense of reality and might use them too much, resulting in unnaturally white teeth.

 Teeth whitening at the dentist

The teeth whitening at the office might take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

First, the dentist will assess the situation of the teeth. Dentist identifies defects and tooth decay. The process of teeth whitening begins with a thorough teeth cleaning. Then there are placed the special protection to the gums and the teeth whitening gel is applied. After 15 minutes the gel is removed and the same process is repeated three to four times. In the end of the process the mouth, gums and teeth are cleaned. The final result occurs after few days or a week when the normal level of teeth humidity is restored.

Teeth whitening at the dentist’s office has the advantage of convenience – the process takes a few hours and credibility – procedure will take place under the guidance of a professional.

Preserving the results of whitening

The achieved results are maintain the best by proper oral hygiene. Also the dentist will give tips and advice how to preserve the results the best. After the whitening it is important to avoid the habits and the food which can damage the colour of teeth. For example to give up smoking for a while and to avoid coffee, tea and red wine. Also one should avoid strongly pigmented foods, such as beetroot.

Whitening is not recommended:

• minors;
• in case of pregnancy;
• nursing mothers;
• large fillings for teeth;
• persons who have a sensitivity to light reactions;
• melanoma patients;
• patient with breathing difficulties;
• severe chronic disease persons;
• allergic or hypersensitivity of components which are used in whitening process.